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.

Ann Feuerbach · 24th August 2005, 08:14 PM

People and blades travel, since the beginning of time. I got 3rd-4th century AD crucible steel blades in the Caucasus, and well as later period ones in the Altai of Siberia, and those were overland travel. It is highly unlikly it was made in the Philippines, but reworked is plausable. Boats and trade have been going on for centuries in these places. Things travel, particularly something like a wootz blade with Indian saliors.

ham · 24th August 2005, 10:22 PM

Gentlemen,

Though it is difficult to say conclusively without handling it, I agree this is wootz-- in fact it is the same sort often found on the best Indian Sosun Pattah blades. Given the form, perhaps that is what this weapon was adapted from.

Sincerely,

Ham

24th August 2005, 05:34 AM	#1
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.

24th August 2005, 08:14 PM	#2
Ann Feuerbach Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 133	People and blades travel, since the beginning of time. I got 3rd-4th century AD crucible steel blades in the Caucasus, and well as later period ones in the Altai of Siberia, and those were overland travel. It is highly unlikly it was made in the Philippines, but reworked is plausable. Boats and trade have been going on for centuries in these places. Things travel, particularly something like a wootz blade with Indian saliors.

24th August 2005, 10:22 PM	#3
ham Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 190	Gentlemen, Though it is difficult to say conclusively without handling it, I agree this is wootz-- in fact it is the same sort often found on the best Indian Sosun Pattah blades. Given the form, perhaps that is what this weapon was adapted from. Sincerely, Ham