Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > Ethnographic Weapons

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 21st December 2017, 05:35 PM   #1
mariusgmioc
Member
 
mariusgmioc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Austria
Posts: 1,860
Default Wootz etching of Indian Katar

Hello,

I recently got the Katar in the photos. As you can see, there was some rust and no indication of Wootz.

However, after cleaning and polishing it, very fine Wootz pattern became distinctly visible under certain lighting conditions. Moreover, the blade is a singing one as the slightest stroke generates a clear ring.

Unfortunately, all etchant I have now is some old 3% Nital. I tried yesterday etching it and it appears the etchant has insufficient strength as it only darkens a little the blade.

Is it possible that my Nital is too old and lost its strength or did I over-polish the surface (to grit 3000)?!

Any advise would be welcomed!

Regards,

Marius
Attached Images
    
mariusgmioc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21st December 2017, 09:27 PM   #2
Jens Nordlunde
Member
 
Jens Nordlunde's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,713
Default

That is a nice katar Marius - congratulations:-).
I dont know if Nitral could be too old. I doubt it, but I dont know. Maybe if you try something else it will work.
I do love 'singing' katars, they are in a class of their own.
Katars of this type, means they were made of top craftsmen.
Jens Nordlunde is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21st December 2017, 09:34 PM   #3
mariusgmioc
Member
 
mariusgmioc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Austria
Posts: 1,860
Default

Thank you Jens!

Also the scabbard and the koftgari appear to be the original.

Providing that I will manage to etch it adequately, what would you suggest:

a) to etch the whole blade and leave it etched

b) to etch the blade and polish the tip and edges?!
mariusgmioc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21st December 2017, 09:53 PM   #4
Jens Nordlunde
Member
 
Jens Nordlunde's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,713
Default

Marius:-):-)
Every collector has his preference.
I would think, the age of the katar taken into consideration, I would etch the whole blade and polish the edges.
It really is a difficult question, as some would polish/burnish the blade - while others would do nothing of the kind - I for one would not do this.
Jens
Jens Nordlunde is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22nd December 2017, 09:55 AM   #5
mariusgmioc
Member
 
mariusgmioc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Austria
Posts: 1,860
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde
Marius:-):-)
Every collector has his preference.
I would think, the age of the katar taken into consideration, I would etch the whole blade and polish the edges.
It really is a difficult question, as some would polish/burnish the blade - while others would do nothing of the kind - I for one would not do this.
Jens
Thank you Jens and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
mariusgmioc is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:46 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.