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			 (deceased) 
			
			
			
				
			
			Join Date: Dec 2004 
				Location: East Coast USA 
				
				
					Posts: 3,191
				 
				
				
				
				
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			Tim 
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
	I will test this theory out by rubbing some oil on a piece of scrap steel and heating it up on my grill. Will let you know how it turns out. Lew  | 
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		#2 | 
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			 Member 
			
			
			
				
			
			Join Date: Dec 2004 
				Location: What is still UK 
				
				
					Posts: 5,925
				 
				
				
				
				
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			I think the black is iron scale as in this example. 
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
	http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=naga This is the only Asian weapon I have seen use the black as decoration. All the other I have seen come from Africa, Somali, Shona, Massai? and last but not least the Congo. There are many military knives that are black but I think that is for other reasons. I will post picks of a seme I have with some black as decoration.  | 
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		#3 | 
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			Join Date: Feb 2006 
				Location: France 
				
				
					Posts: 473
				 
				
				
				
				
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			Some close up. 
		
		
		
			Luc  | 
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		#4 | 
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			 Member 
			
			
			
				
			
			Join Date: Feb 2006 
				Location: France 
				
				
					Posts: 473
				 
				
				
				
				
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			Other blades with black surface.I think oil is used while forging at the end to protect from rust and some smiths use this black surface and work on it to decorate the blade. 
		
		
		
			Luc  | 
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