Chinese Jian

[Gavin Nugent]

Hi Josh,

Can you show images of this blade in detail here please. I would like to see the final effect you speak of. I too would like to hear what others think of this method.


regards

Gav

[Flavio]

Yes Josh, please if you can post some pics thank you

[Gavin Nugent]

Can any readers post a list of essential reading on the matter of Chinese swords?

regards

Gav

[josh stout]

Originally Posted by Flavio

Yes Josh, please if you can post some pics thank you

I have a backlog of pictures that need taking, but I will try and get to it as soon as I can. The technique is great for very active patterns and inserted edges, but only highlights the edges if the patterns are more subdued. Strangely it does not seem to work well on Tibetan style pattern welding where I thought the high contrast piled construction would show up well. I have had more luck on Tibetan things with the more normal approach of just a few hours in vinegar to darken, and then just a quick cleanup with 4000 paper. I am wondering if nitric might work better. Vinegar etches seem to bring out greys while I think nitric brings out more contrasting colors.

Here is a Tibetan style blade I did in the more normal method of etching. I think it turned out well, but the contrast is not as strong as would have liked. More of a pattern of greys than a true light and dark.
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j6...duation278.jpg
Josh