Subject: High-Status Khanjar Style Dagger: Salvaged/Recycled Blade Theory & Material

Oiluj13 · Today, 07:39 AM

Hello everyone,I wanted to follow up on the lab data I posted with a quick macro observation regarding the material structure, specifically for Lee Jones, Ian, and our active bladesmiths.Several members asked how this un-etched steel behaves visually given the heavy surface wear. To show you, here is an extreme macro shot taken right around the spectrometer's dark spark-burn mark.The blade flat is covered in aggressive, intersecting scratch lines from historical cleaning. However, when you shift the raking light angles under specific camera settings—completely free of any chemical acid etching—look at what happens to the matrix beneath the damage.The granular crystal matrix—the dense, white carbide "snowflake" nodes—flows completely continuous and uninterrupted straight through the mechanical scratches. The pattern doesn't break or wash out at the scratch walls.Because this is an authentic, pre-industrial crucible steel volume containing 1.500% Carbon and a 0.013% Vanadium catalyst, the micro-crystals are tightly packed deep inside the core of the metal. No amount of surface scratching can erase them. They naturally react to different light angles and reflect light independently from the surrounding iron, creating an internal watermark that proves its true antique pedigree.I would love to hear your thoughts, especially from Lee, on this sub-surface pattern persistence and how it fits your theory regarding this being a salvaged high-status historical blade.Best regards,Oiluj13

Today, 07:39 AM	#7
Oiluj13 Member Join Date: Jul 2026 Location: Floresville TX Posts: 14	Hello everyone,I wanted to follow up on the lab data I posted with a quick macro observation regarding the material structure, specifically for Lee Jones, Ian, and our active bladesmiths.Several members asked how this un-etched steel behaves visually given the heavy surface wear. To show you, here is an extreme macro shot taken right around the spectrometer's dark spark-burn mark.The blade flat is covered in aggressive, intersecting scratch lines from historical cleaning. However, when you shift the raking light angles under specific camera settings—completely free of any chemical acid etching—look at what happens to the matrix beneath the damage.The granular crystal matrix—the dense, white carbide "snowflake" nodes—flows completely continuous and uninterrupted straight through the mechanical scratches. The pattern doesn't break or wash out at the scratch walls.Because this is an authentic, pre-industrial crucible steel volume containing 1.500% Carbon and a 0.013% Vanadium catalyst, the micro-crystals are tightly packed deep inside the core of the metal. No amount of surface scratching can erase them. They naturally react to different light angles and reflect light independently from the surrounding iron, creating an internal watermark that proves its true antique pedigree.I would love to hear your thoughts, especially from Lee, on this sub-surface pattern persistence and how it fits your theory regarding this being a salvaged high-status historical blade.Best regards,Oiluj13 Attached Images