Luzon Bolo With Wootz Blade!

Federico · 24th August 2005, 05:34 AM

Cant tell for sure from the pics, but does the temper line kind of fade off into the tip? If so, that could lend credence to the blade being a re-worked blade, if never re-hardened, and the original pattern/temper left one coudl imagine the such a dissappearance of temper. Then again, as Rsword mentioned, unless the smith was aware of the fact it was wootz, knew how to forge wootz, if he tried forgin an ingot, the pattern would be lost completely as most Philippine forges would be far hotter than what is necessary to maintain the pattern. Though, it would not be unheard of for steel from India, particularly via British ships, to be sold in PI for trade, but then it would be far more common for it to be treated like normal steel, and the wootz pattern lost in the forging process. Itll be interesting to hear what the experts will say once they see it. 5160 can often have some interesting effects when etched.

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24th August 2005, 05:34 AM	#15
Federico Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA Posts: 312	Cant tell for sure from the pics, but does the temper line kind of fade off into the tip? If so, that could lend credence to the blade being a re-worked blade, if never re-hardened, and the original pattern/temper left one coudl imagine the such a dissappearance of temper. Then again, as Rsword mentioned, unless the smith was aware of the fact it was wootz, knew how to forge wootz, if he tried forgin an ingot, the pattern would be lost completely as most Philippine forges would be far hotter than what is necessary to maintain the pattern. Though, it would not be unheard of for steel from India, particularly via British ships, to be sold in PI for trade, but then it would be far more common for it to be treated like normal steel, and the wootz pattern lost in the forging process. Itll be interesting to hear what the experts will say once they see it. 5160 can often have some interesting effects when etched.