Properties Of Wootz

[Chris Evans]

Hi mariusgmioc,

Good obeservations!

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

As a constant, antique wootz is of considerably lower quality than modern wootz in terms of edge retention (hardness) and toughness.

Well, the toughness test results of the Wootz tested by Larrin is rather poor, so I imagine that the antique variety can't be much worse.

A note here on edge retention. The slicing edge retention CATRA test conducted by Larrin does not equate with push cutting nor with edge stability. Slicing edge retention of steels is largely dependent on carbide content, and in this respect Woots does fairly well.

Push cut edge retention and edge stability depend on a combination of high yield point and impact toughness. Hardness is only an approximate indicator of these properties.

I have no first had experience with antique hardened Wootz, but after watching the video, am inclined to think that it had low toughness but decent combined edge retention, always allowing for the inevitable wide variability due to inexact manufacturing.

Cheers
Chris