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27th May 2012, 03:37 PM | #1 |
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I agree with mross. The "random" pattern is the proof of a laminated construction.
If there is no sign of lamination between the edge and the first brown line, this could possibly be a sandwich construction with central single steel (not sure, according to your two last photos which seem to show uniform lamination on the whole blade). A good reason for sandwich construction is that a combination of non "quench-able" materials (ie : low carbon steel and nickel) was often used for lamination, in order to get good etching contrast (steel goes dark grey and nickel remains bright). If the laminated material canot be correctly hardened, this leads to sandwich construction which allows to have some good steel at the edges. Also good steel was much more expensive in the old days than common iron, so the less steel used the better it was for economical issues. I cannot say what are the materials used for the construction of your blade. Might be iron + steel... Last edited by delor; 27th May 2012 at 03:50 PM. |
28th May 2012, 02:39 PM | #2 | |
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thank you, delor, for a thorough explanation in the lamination process! would you say that the core is a solid piece, or would it resemble a tuning for (with the edges as tines)? ,
Quote:
the last two photos are actually from a different kris i etched on the same day. i added the additional photos as a comparison to the original kris that was posted |
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28th May 2012, 07:03 PM | #3 |
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When a blacksmith didn't want to use rare good steel for the whole blade, he had to choose between two kind of construction :
- sandwich : 3 welded layers, with central good steel layer (first photo) - welded edges : 3 welded bars, with good steel at the edges only (second photo) Sandwich is much stronger because the welded surfaces are wider. Weld lines are quite irregular because of the strong hammering for the welding of the whole surface. I believe this is the construction of your blade. (Welded edges are easy to detect because they show very regular and straight weld line because of the light hammering). Of course, each of the separate parts can either be homogeneous or composite material (laminated & twisted core being the most traditional structures). |
30th May 2012, 04:08 AM | #4 | |
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delor,
thank you for the excellent illustrations! it's basically how i pictured the lamination in my mind, and was going to use the google sketchup, but the illustrations you provided are perfect. thanks once again. Quote:
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1st June 2012, 11:25 AM | #5 | |
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1st June 2012, 03:01 PM | #6 |
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incidentally i was watching "Weapon Masters" last night and the episode was "Katana". it showed how the japanese made their famous sword. very fascinating, to say the least!
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6th June 2012, 08:41 PM | #7 |
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Is the second configuration the type of welded edge we see on twisctore blades?
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