18th Centuary Ottoman Kard.

mariusgmioc · 31st March 2016, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

After some polishing and etching, I think you will find Turkish wootz (which is low contrast) in your blade.

Hello Battara,
I am very interested to learn more about Turkish wootz as I was under the impression that all Turkish wootz blades were actually made in Persia and only finished & mounted in Turkey.

Would the wootz of the Biçak in the photos attached be Turkish wootz?

How do you etch wootz blades?

Battara · 1st April 2016, 04:15 AM

There was great trade of Persian wootz into Turkey and even into India. Turkish wootz is low contrast, while Persian wootz is known for being a high contrast wootz like what is in this picture. The bichak you have pictured is a lower contrast Turkish wootz.

Rsword and CharlesS can tell you even more about these (as well as Indian) types of wootz.

mariusgmioc · 1st April 2016, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

There was great trade of Persian wootz into Turkey and even into India. Turkish wootz is low contrast, while Persian wootz is known for being a high contrast wootz like what is in this picture. The bichak you have pictured is a lower contrast Turkish wootz.

Rsword and CharlesS can tell you even more about these (as well as Indian) types of wootz.

Thank you!

Richard G · 1st April 2016, 12:22 PM

Might be completely on the wrong track here, but isn't the inscription on the original kard upside down, so as to speak?
Regards
Richard

Battara · 1st April 2016, 03:41 PM

I've noticed that on some bichaqs the inscriptions are written "upside down". I have one also with a jade hilt and wootz with the gold koftgari inscription written the same way.

Interesting isn't it?

Saracen · 12th November 2021, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

I've noticed that on some bichaqs the inscriptions are written "upside down". I have one also with a jade hilt and wootz with the gold koftgari inscription written the same way.

Interesting isn't it?

It is also interesting that on all kards the inscription in gold koftgari is applied only on the right side of the blade. When you're having dinner with friends and holding a kard in your right hand, who needs an inscription on the left side of the blade? Only the owner sees the left side

1st April 2016, 04:15 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	There was great trade of Persian wootz into Turkey and even into India. Turkish wootz is low contrast, while Persian wootz is known for being a high contrast wootz like what is in this picture. The bichak you have pictured is a lower contrast Turkish wootz. Rsword and CharlesS can tell you even more about these (as well as Indian) types of wootz. Attached Images

1st April 2016, 12:22 PM	#4
Richard G Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 409	Might be completely on the wrong track here, but isn't the inscription on the original kard upside down, so as to speak? Regards Richard

1st April 2016, 03:41 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	I've noticed that on some bichaqs the inscriptions are written "upside down". I have one also with a jade hilt and wootz with the gold koftgari inscription written the same way. Interesting isn't it?