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29th November 2006, 01:56 PM
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#15 |
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 116
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Hi
yes.. i believe the definition of wootz does wander all over the place for reasons.... ask yourself some questions... - why does the definition wander - why does the current definition follow the patent on wootz - was wootz a lost secret prior to the patent ?? - was a proper survey done before making the above claim - Do accurate recipes exist that are from ancient records and are accessible with university interlibrary loan..? ..... did they exist prior to the patent ? or did they magically appear after the patent? I know i ask alot of questions... but I can't help my self... .. i have to stir the pot sometimes.. Manolo: the problem with comparing Euro smiths to Indian/Persian smiths is that they basing their smithing practices on much different materials... ... that is why the Euro smiths had a hard time with forging wootz... as the wootz material has to be forged at a much lower heat than what they safely use for their sword material.... now with the same technique... i believe it maybe possible with some of the european ores..... remember the carbide formers are micro alloys... very small amount is needed.. -- but the carbon level is critical to making the high carb wootz... My homebrew wootz is made alot of the time with cast iron cut with mild iron.... but now a days... there is alot of tramp elements in the scrap iron... so you have to watch it... .. our metal standards are going down hill.. -- i've made all sorts of wootz from scrap... ..some with 52100 and cast iron.... with assorted springsteels and cast... 1018 iron and charcoal.... wrought and charcoal... i know Jeff uses local ore and Ric will use that high purity iron I'd love to get some ore from the old areas... and try my hand at it... ... i thought awhile back that Achim did something like that.... i know he's worked some old ingots so much wootz, so little time Greg |
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