In very rusty condition ...but is this a Khanda??

katana · 26th March 2007, 06:57 PM

Tried to etch with ferric chloride......but could not produce a pattern

After posting this thread
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4306

I then used vinegar at room temperature to slow the etching process.....but still no pattern.....so its not wootz

But, previously 'clean, smooth, bright' areas of the blade developed tiny, dark 'pinhole' pitting which seem to be 'grouped' together in random lines. It suggests that the blade is composed of 'different' steels, but I cannot see evidence of pattern welding. The earlier corrosion seemed to show a 'pattern' (pictures earlier in thread, 2nd March)

Checking to find how the corrosion rates vary for iron and steel I find this web page which suggests that carbon steel corrodes quicker than iron.

http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:1...nk&cd=24&gl=uk

So the question is ....is the blade composed of areas of different steels or are there impurities which are easily corroded by acid.

The blade seems well made, strong, flexible and is easily sharpened (and retains the edge well)

katana · 26th March 2007, 07:44 PM

Some pictures which may help......I have edited these with a higher than normal 'contrast' to make them clearer.

RSWORD · 26th March 2007, 11:34 PM

In your 1st and 4th pictures is the cutting edge at the top of the picture? If you look closely at the pictures you have what looks like a "hamon". This is suggestive that this blade might be of tripartite construction, in other words, an inserted edge sandwiched between softer cheeks. The pattern that seems to show along the edge is a result of that construction and the edge being heat treated. You see this in some Indian swords, as well as, a number of other cultures.

katana · 27th March 2007, 02:05 AM

Hi Rsword,
unfortunately the spine is uppermost....the pictures are not too clear. The more highly polished area along the edge of the spine was caused by the fact that it was slightly 'raised' from the surface of the blade. A sort of very, very shallow fuller ran parallel with the spine, not deep enough to sand smooth independently but 'high' enough to 'catch' the abrasive paper causing more metal loss from the spine area, giving it a 'cleaner look'.

Regards David

katana · 30th March 2007, 07:26 PM

Just two final questions to wrap this thread up...

The pommel finial, the 'lotus bud' is slightly loose and rattles slightly. Would it be OK to solder it into position? Aradite??

Secondly, there appears to be loose material inside the 'disc pommel' which rattles. I assumed that it was loose rusted metal from inside the hilt that had flaked off. But placing a magnet on the hilt does not 'hold' these pieces still. So I do not think it is ferrous metal. So ....would this 'rattle' be an original feature and if so.......why???

Thankyou all for help with this thread

Regards David

galvano · 3rd April 2007, 08:28 PM

My pulwar makes also noise.
I believe that is voluntary.
galvano

katana · 3rd April 2007, 08:57 PM

Thanks Galvano

,
your Pulwar has a very nice hilt

Do you think the rattle had some symbolic or religious reason?

Regards David

26th March 2007, 07:44 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Some pictures which may help......I have edited these with a higher than normal 'contrast' to make them clearer. Attached Images

3rd April 2007, 08:28 PM	#6
galvano Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 178	noise My pulwar makes also noise. I believe that is voluntary. galvano Attached Images

26th March 2007, 06:57 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Tried to etch with ferric chloride......but could not produce a pattern After posting this thread http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4306 I then used vinegar at room temperature to slow the etching process.....but still no pattern.....so its not wootz But, previously 'clean, smooth, bright' areas of the blade developed tiny, dark 'pinhole' pitting which seem to be 'grouped' together in random lines. It suggests that the blade is composed of 'different' steels, but I cannot see evidence of pattern welding. The earlier corrosion seemed to show a 'pattern' (pictures earlier in thread, 2nd March) Checking to find how the corrosion rates vary for iron and steel I find this web page which suggests that carbon steel corrodes quicker than iron. http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:1...nk&cd=24&gl=uk So the question is ....is the blade composed of areas of different steels or are there impurities which are easily corroded by acid. The blade seems well made, strong, flexible and is easily sharpened (and retains the edge well)

26th March 2007, 11:34 PM	#3
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,093	In your 1st and 4th pictures is the cutting edge at the top of the picture? If you look closely at the pictures you have what looks like a "hamon". This is suggestive that this blade might be of tripartite construction, in other words, an inserted edge sandwiched between softer cheeks. The pattern that seems to show along the edge is a result of that construction and the edge being heat treated. You see this in some Indian swords, as well as, a number of other cultures.

27th March 2007, 02:05 AM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Rsword, unfortunately the spine is uppermost....the pictures are not too clear. The more highly polished area along the edge of the spine was caused by the fact that it was slightly 'raised' from the surface of the blade. A sort of very, very shallow fuller ran parallel with the spine, not deep enough to sand smooth independently but 'high' enough to 'catch' the abrasive paper causing more metal loss from the spine area, giving it a 'cleaner look'. Regards David

30th March 2007, 07:26 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Just two final questions to wrap this thread up... The pommel finial, the 'lotus bud' is slightly loose and rattles slightly. Would it be OK to solder it into position? Aradite?? Secondly, there appears to be loose material inside the 'disc pommel' which rattles. I assumed that it was loose rusted metal from inside the hilt that had flaked off. But placing a magnet on the hilt does not 'hold' these pieces still. So I do not think it is ferrous metal. So ....would this 'rattle' be an original feature and if so.......why??? Thankyou all for help with this thread Regards David

3rd April 2007, 08:57 PM	#7
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Thanks Galvano , your Pulwar has a very nice hilt Do you think the rattle had some symbolic or religious reason? Regards David