Damascus Kukri

MacCathain · 2nd September 2019, 11:51 PM

Here I have its cousin from the tin chirra branch of the family. The laminations are certainly visible in the right light, but I haven't brought it out through etching.

There are a few spots on the grip where there is a gray/white residue (you can see this in the close-up . . . next to the ring on the concave side of the grip).

Please educate me: What's the story behind liming the grip?

Battara · 3rd September 2019, 10:13 PM

MacCaithan thanks so much for posting - you have now confirmed what kind of scabbard should I choose to make one for my kukri.

The "white" parts of your hilt appear to be silver plating over the steel. I figure that the lime packing is for visual effect, that it brings out the designs better (like that of some Moro scabbards).

Also I forgot to add the lengths: 15 inches over all (37.5 cm).

BTW - I LOVE your kukri example.

MacCathain · 3rd September 2019, 10:47 PM

Thanks, Battara. The silver bits in the design that contrast with the darkened steel areas constitute what I think could be classed as niello decoration, and they are, indeed, silver.

The residue that I mentioned is different; it looks a bit like old toothpaste in the small crevices (the deposits are not as easy to see in the image as I had hoped they would be). There are only a few places where these are visible, so they may not be residual decoration (perhaps they're just toothpaste).

The scabbard struck me as being unusually plain for this well-executed kukri. I would have expected something a bit more flash. Even the chape has been given the darkened steel treatment, though, so I believe it is the original scabbard. Here's a better view of what the face of it looks like.

This kukri measures 15.75" straight from the tip to the farthest end of the pommel cap. The grip is among the smallest in my small collection at only 4" on center.

Battara · 4th September 2019, 02:09 AM

Yup that "toothpaste" is lime.

Also thank you for the scabbard picture.

Battara · 4th September 2019, 04:03 AM

Is this better?

MacCathain · 4th September 2019, 10:35 PM

Your photos are great. When I said "the deposits are not as easy to see in the image as I had hoped they would be," I was talking about the photo that I had posted.

Battara · 4th September 2019, 11:29 PM

Oh my re-etch is not in response to you, MacCathain, but to the feedback from others.

Not sure if I should polish even more, or re-etch even lighter.

2nd September 2019, 11:51 PM	#1
MacCathain Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 67	Here I have its cousin from the tin chirra branch of the family. The laminations are certainly visible in the right light, but I haven't brought it out through etching. There are a few spots on the grip where there is a gray/white residue (you can see this in the close-up . . . next to the ring on the concave side of the grip). Please educate me: What's the story behind liming the grip? Attached Images

3rd September 2019, 10:47 PM	#3
MacCathain Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 67	Thanks, Battara. The silver bits in the design that contrast with the darkened steel areas constitute what I think could be classed as niello decoration, and they are, indeed, silver. The residue that I mentioned is different; it looks a bit like old toothpaste in the small crevices (the deposits are not as easy to see in the image as I had hoped they would be). There are only a few places where these are visible, so they may not be residual decoration (perhaps they're just toothpaste). The scabbard struck me as being unusually plain for this well-executed kukri. I would have expected something a bit more flash. Even the chape has been given the darkened steel treatment, though, so I believe it is the original scabbard. Here's a better view of what the face of it looks like. This kukri measures 15.75" straight from the tip to the farthest end of the pommel cap. The grip is among the smallest in my small collection at only 4" on center. Attached Images

4th September 2019, 04:03 AM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Is this better? Attached Images

3rd September 2019, 10:13 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	MacCaithan thanks so much for posting - you have now confirmed what kind of scabbard should I choose to make one for my kukri. The "white" parts of your hilt appear to be silver plating over the steel. I figure that the lime packing is for visual effect, that it brings out the designs better (like that of some Moro scabbards). Also I forgot to add the lengths: 15 inches over all (37.5 cm). BTW - I LOVE your kukri example.

4th September 2019, 02:09 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Yup that "toothpaste" is lime. Also thank you for the scabbard picture.

4th September 2019, 10:35 PM	#6
MacCathain Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 67	Your photos are great. When I said "the deposits are not as easy to see in the image as I had hoped they would be," I was talking about the photo that I had posted.

4th September 2019, 11:29 PM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Oh my re-etch is not in response to you, MacCathain, but to the feedback from others. Not sure if I should polish even more, or re-etch even lighter.