Wootz Shamshir for translation and comment please

[ALEX]

Congratulations on a first wootz shamshir!
The cartouche reads: "Walaed Shah Abbas", meaning "Reign of Shah Abbas" as a reference to the Safavid king Abbas (1587-1629). The blade is 18th/19th Century. Nice find.

[katana]

Thank you Tim and Alex for your replies....

Tim, you got the 'cheap' part right....when I bought this both the seller and I didn't know it was Wootz..

Hi Alex,
thank you for the translation .....18thC-19thC sounds good As I said before the shamshir was not sold as a wootz bladed one. I only had pictures to go on before purchase, and mildly suspected it could be wootz. So was a very nice surprise to discover it was Alex, would you have any idea to the script (?) on the scabbard ring ?

I have only quickly cleaned the blade and tried to etch with Ferric chloride....the result wasn't that good. The latest etch was with vinegar ...a better result but the wootz isn't as clear and obvious as I would like.

Has anyone any suggestions to improve the contrast ? Would lemon juice be a better option....

Kind Regards David

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by katana

Thank you Tim and Alex for your replies....

Tim, you got the 'cheap' part right....when I bought this both the seller and I didn't know it was Wootz..

Hi Alex,
thank you for the translation .....18thC-19thC sounds good As I said before the shamshir was not sold as a wootz bladed one. I only had pictures to go on before purchase, and mildly suspected it could be wootz. So was a very nice surprise to discover it was Alex, would you have any idea to the script (?) on the scabbard ring ?

I have only quickly cleaned the blade and tried to etch with Ferric chloride....the result wasn't that good. The latest etch was with vinegar ...a better result but the wootz isn't as clear and obvious as I would like.

Has anyone any suggestions to improve the contrast ? Would lemon juice be a better option....

Kind Regards David

Salaams, Great Sword ! I am drumming up support for a workshop library on the forum (see my new thread) It would have been ideal for example if you could simply go to the Forum workshop A to Z index say... "Wootz" restoration where you could find 10 ways to bring out the watered steel surface . What I know is its tricky... but occasionally a simple technique works. You have blade rust spots as well I see and wondered what you will use to take those out? I understand that Ferrous Chloride is quite agressive and vinegar can also be especially if hot. I have had some success with lemon salt dissoved in water so you immerse the article in it for a few hours (but keep checking the progress say half hourly)and I have heard that coke cola is excellent.. I have a difficult sword that I am restoring and I am about to immerse it in coke cola for 4 hours. The other technique I have used is taking off rust spot with aluminium baking foil which works quite well ( this apparently works at molecular level but please dont ask me how) You simply use the foil like sandpaper and rub away. Thats also a technique for sharpening scissors ~ Regards Ibrahiim al Balooshi

[katana]

Salaams Ibrahiim,
thank you. Yes, I have seen your thread and I do think it a good idea and will post my thoughts


Kind Regards David

[tom hyle]

Is that a hardening line, or what is that?

[tom hyle]

Any thoughts about the extra hole in the end cap?

[katana]

Originally Posted by tom hyle

Is that a hardening line, or what is that?

Well spotted Tom (couldn't find a smillie for "hawkeyed" ),
yes I believe it is where the edge has been hardened ....if you look at the picture of the entire sword...the line appears to be almost half the width of the blade running to the point.

As I understand it, hardening/heat treating wootz is very difficult to do without 'damaging' the patterning....or am I mistaken.

Kind Regards David

[tom hyle]

apparently if you do it wrong all the important crystals disolve into the steel matrix, leaving you with simple but very high carbon "mono steel"

[Dom]

to complete what Alex translated already
the easiest part ...

à +

Dom

[katana]

Thanks Dom ,

I'll be posting 2 more swords soon, (that need translations)...so don't think, my friend, that you 'got off lightly' .....the other translations will be a little 'harder'

All the best
David