Small Chinese Jian questions

RSWORD · 1st October 2011, 05:03 PM

I would also add to Gavin's comments that a wide assortment of blade quality can be found in these. Occassionally, an older blade will be recycled in these later mounts and when polished and etched you can find very nice laminations. Sometimes, the blades are contemporary with the mounts and of lower quality. I recommend you give the blade a light cleaning and a vinegar etch and see if you can see any lamination. It would be nice if it was a fighting blade and had hardened edges with some laminations in the body of the blade.

Atlantia · 2nd October 2011, 11:40 AM

Hi Chaps,
Thanks for the great info!
And I'll give it a quick clean now....

Best
gene

Gavin Nugent · 2nd October 2011, 12:18 PM

Well Noted Rick.

Gene, you'll be sure to find a very good laminated blade in this example you have, they type have very capable blades where are those short ones circa 1900, little can be said about them....

Gav

werecow · 1st March 2023, 10:20 PM

Since you guys already did the sword I will just raise this thread from the dead to note that the bug is a harmless velvet mite.

Gavin Nugent · 1st March 2023, 10:48 PM

Harmless to Velvet too?

werecow · 1st March 2023, 10:53 PM

I believe the name is a comment on its appearance, rather than its diet, but don't quote me on that. }|:oP

EDIT: Apparently their larvae are parasites on insects and arachnids, whereas the adults eat insect and spider eggs.

1st October 2011, 05:03 PM	#1
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,086	I would also add to Gavin's comments that a wide assortment of blade quality can be found in these. Occassionally, an older blade will be recycled in these later mounts and when polished and etched you can find very nice laminations. Sometimes, the blades are contemporary with the mounts and of lower quality. I recommend you give the blade a light cleaning and a vinegar etch and see if you can see any lamination. It would be nice if it was a fighting blade and had hardened edges with some laminations in the body of the blade.

2nd October 2011, 11:40 AM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Hi Chaps, Thanks for the great info! And I'll give it a quick clean now.... Best gene

2nd October 2011, 12:18 PM	#3
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Well Noted Rick. Gene, you'll be sure to find a very good laminated blade in this example you have, they type have very capable blades where are those short ones circa 1900, little can be said about them.... Gav

1st March 2023, 10:20 PM	#4
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 553	Since you guys already did the sword I will just raise this thread from the dead to note that the bug is a harmless velvet mite.

1st March 2023, 10:48 PM	#5
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Harmless to Velvet too?

1st March 2023, 10:53 PM	#6
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 553	I believe the name is a comment on its appearance, rather than its diet, but don't quote me on that. }\|:oP EDIT: Apparently their larvae are parasites on insects and arachnids, whereas the adults eat insect and spider eggs.