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Originally Posted by katana
Thank you Tim and Alex for your replies....
Tim, you got the 'cheap' part right....when I bought this both the seller and I didn't know it was Wootz.. 
Hi Alex,
thank you for the translation .....18thC-19thC sounds good  As I said before the shamshir was not sold as a wootz bladed one. I only had pictures to go on before purchase, and mildly suspected it could be wootz. So was a very nice surprise to discover it was Alex, would you have any idea to the script (?) on the scabbard ring ?
I have only quickly cleaned the blade and tried to etch with Ferric chloride....the result wasn't that good. The latest etch was with vinegar ...a better result but the wootz isn't as clear and obvious as I would like.
Has anyone any suggestions to improve the contrast ? Would lemon juice be a better option....
Kind Regards David |
Salaams, Great Sword ! I am drumming up support for a workshop library on the forum (see my new thread) It would have been ideal for example if you could simply go to the Forum workshop A to Z index say... "Wootz" restoration where you could find 10 ways to bring out the watered steel surface . What I know is its tricky... but occasionally a simple technique works. You have blade rust spots as well I see and wondered what you will use to take those out? I understand that Ferrous Chloride is quite agressive and vinegar can also be especially if hot. I have had some success with lemon salt dissoved in water so you immerse the article in it for a few hours (but keep checking the progress say half hourly)and I have heard that coke cola is excellent.. I have a difficult sword that I am restoring and I am about to immerse it in coke cola for 4 hours. The other technique I have used is taking off rust spot with aluminium baking foil which works quite well ( this apparently works at molecular level but please dont ask me how) You simply use the foil like sandpaper and rub away. Thats also a technique for sharpening scissors
~ Regards Ibrahiim al Balooshi