Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

tom hyle · 25th February 2005, 01:07 AM

Philip, without seeing the blades in question I can only understand what you're saying without much comment on it. It is not my experience that pinch-welded tangs and blade bases are done on a shorter lap than simple scarfs, nor are otherwise weaker or more poorly done.
BTW, the reason to do this is not only to economize on materials, though that is often spoken of. The reason to do it is that an unhardenable (usually wrought iron) blade base/tang is stronger than carbon steel, especially old suphurous carbon steel, for absorbing the shock. The idea that it is inferior in some way and done to gain economic advantage or use scrap or something is largely an industrial misconception.

25th February 2005, 01:07 AM	#14
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Philip, without seeing the blades in question I can only understand what you're saying without much comment on it. It is not my experience that pinch-welded tangs and blade bases are done on a shorter lap than simple scarfs, nor are otherwise weaker or more poorly done. BTW, the reason to do this is not only to economize on materials, though that is often spoken of. The reason to do it is that an unhardenable (usually wrought iron) blade base/tang is stronger than carbon steel, especially old suphurous carbon steel, for absorbing the shock. The idea that it is inferior in some way and done to gain economic advantage or use scrap or something is largely an industrial misconception.