Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - In very rusty condition ...but is this a Khanda??

katana · 26th March 2007, 05:57 PM

Tried to etch with ferric chloride......but could not produce a pattern

After posting this thread
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4306

I then used vinegar at room temperature to slow the etching process.....but still no pattern.....so its not wootz

But, previously 'clean, smooth, bright' areas of the blade developed tiny, dark 'pinhole' pitting which seem to be 'grouped' together in random lines. It suggests that the blade is composed of 'different' steels, but I cannot see evidence of pattern welding. The earlier corrosion seemed to show a 'pattern' (pictures earlier in thread, 2nd March)

Checking to find how the corrosion rates vary for iron and steel I find this web page which suggests that carbon steel corrodes quicker than iron.

http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:1...nk&cd=24&gl=uk

So the question is ....is the blade composed of areas of different steels or are there impurities which are easily corroded by acid.

The blade seems well made, strong, flexible and is easily sharpened (and retains the edge well)

26th March 2007, 05:57 PM	#23
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Tried to etch with ferric chloride......but could not produce a pattern After posting this thread http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4306 I then used vinegar at room temperature to slow the etching process.....but still no pattern.....so its not wootz But, previously 'clean, smooth, bright' areas of the blade developed tiny, dark 'pinhole' pitting which seem to be 'grouped' together in random lines. It suggests that the blade is composed of 'different' steels, but I cannot see evidence of pattern welding. The earlier corrosion seemed to show a 'pattern' (pictures earlier in thread, 2nd March) Checking to find how the corrosion rates vary for iron and steel I find this web page which suggests that carbon steel corrodes quicker than iron. http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:1...nk&cd=24&gl=uk So the question is ....is the blade composed of areas of different steels or are there impurities which are easily corroded by acid. The blade seems well made, strong, flexible and is easily sharpened (and retains the edge well)