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Old 4th March 2008, 05:44 PM   #1
TVV
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Default Wootz or Mechanical Damascus?

A friend of mine in Bulgaria recently acquired this sword, with a Turkish style hilt and what appears to be an Indian blade, based on the existing ricasso. He cleaned and etched the blade and was pleasantly surprised to discover a nice pattern. The question is, is this wootz or not?
I personally am inclined to think that it is pattern welded, but I am interested in your opinion. Also, any comments on the origin of the sword and its dating are more than welcome.

Thank you,

Teodor
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Old 4th March 2008, 05:48 PM   #2
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Looks Like wootz to me Kirk Nirban if I am spelling it correctly?

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Old 4th March 2008, 06:05 PM   #3
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Hi Teodor,

I vote mechanical damascus. With that activity (tight swirls) most likely Indian made.

All the Best
Jeff
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Old 4th March 2008, 06:07 PM   #4
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Teodor, I understand your inclanation to think of this as mechanical. It does show well formed, bold and prominent pattern. Jeff also has a good point about the mechanical "swirls".
However, as pointed out by Lew, it displays some planar distortions, and what clearly appears to be a "ladder" formation, aka "Kirk Narduban" wootz pattern (and very attractive one So, I am with Lew.
Let's see what others think...
My guess on age, and very distant one, would be late 18/early 19th Cent.
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Old 4th March 2008, 06:44 PM   #5
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mechanical damascus
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Old 4th March 2008, 07:17 PM   #6
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I also vote for a mechanical damascus and would love to see it polished up properly as the blades current state doesn't allow the full appreciation of the pattern. While you do see a vertical distortion it doesn't appear to be regularly appearing at least from the pics we can see. Also, a ladder pattern is a mechanical manipulation of wootz and this can also be done in a pattern weld. Another note is the lack of a pattern at all along the edge. This would suggest the blade has a high carbon inserted edge plate with the mechanical damascus "cheeks". An inserted edge along with the active pattern does seem to point to India as a possible origin of the blade.
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Old 4th March 2008, 07:45 PM   #7
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Gentlemen,

Thank you for your quick replies. I chose the photos, on which the pattern resembled wootz the most on purpose. Now here are some additional photos, which I think will support Rick's excellent observations.

Regards,

Teodor
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Old 4th March 2008, 09:52 PM   #8
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I vote for mechanical.
There are plenty of "ladder-like" mechanical examples in Manfred Sachse's book. Rick is unquestionably correct: ladder is an artificial embellishment and can be applied to either variety of damascus-type blades. And, of course, the inserted edge is a dead giveaway.
Nice blade, no doubt.
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Old 4th March 2008, 10:00 PM   #9
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Yes now that better pics are posted I must change my opinion mechanical it is.

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Old 5th March 2008, 02:09 AM   #10
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+1 Mechanical. +1 Indian.
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Old 5th March 2008, 12:48 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LOUIEBLADES
Yes now that better pics are posted I must change my opinion mechanical it is.

Lew
As I mentioned earlier - I am with Lew and especially after seeing the rest of the blade:-)
Nice blade!
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Old 19th March 2008, 12:11 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff D
...
I vote mechanical damascus. With that activity (tight swirls) most likely Indian made.

All the Best
Jeff
Speaking about swirls: what do you think about this image? The swirls occur in wootz as well?
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Old 19th March 2008, 06:05 PM   #13
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Like said before, most likely Indian and mechanical. Here is a picture of the ladder in mechanical pattern.

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Old 19th March 2008, 07:57 PM   #14
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Default Pattern

When I think of mechanical patterns a topography map comes to mind. If the pattern looks map like it is a mechanically made pattern. The pattern on this sword looks very map like as when elevation changes are noted, so to me its a pattern weld.

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Old 20th March 2008, 01:04 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ALEX
Speaking about swirls: what do you think about this image? The swirls occur in wootz as well?
Alex,

Yes, you do get swirls or circular distortions in wootz as well. Your image is most certainly wootz. And nice wootz at that!
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Old 20th March 2008, 02:01 AM   #16
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Hi Alex,

As you note the swirls certainly do appear in wootz. Its how they appear that determines if they are from wootz or mechanical damascus. Like Rand states, the mechanical pattern is more topographical and actually appears to have dips and valleys. I will post a piece of Indian wootz as well for contrast.

All the Best
Jeff
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Old 20th March 2008, 08:47 PM   #17
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Thanks to all for collaboration, and for posting wonderful examples and fantastic damascus closeups! Finally I see a "ladder" with mechanical pattern (Thanks Jens).
Even though I consider myself wootz-knowledgeable, sometimes I am not 100% sure. Like with the blade below. I thought it is wootz (low contrast/sham), but is it?
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