Wootz ? Assistance Needed.

Norman McCormick · 24th June 2012, 02:39 PM

Hi,
This is a small section from an Indian piece I have aquired, can you tell me if this is wootz? I will post the whole blade in due course but my curiosity is aroused upon cleaning a small section and coming up with this pattern. Many thanks.
Norman.

Atlantia · 24th June 2012, 02:52 PM

Based on that picture I'd say not. Possible that a good polish and etch would reveal a pattern weld though. The circles are very interesting as they seem so numerous. Possibly a genuine raindrop pattern?
Which would be rarer than simple crystaline wootz.
I'd say definately worth more work.

Norman McCormick · 24th June 2012, 03:17 PM

Hi Gene,
Thanks for your help.
My Regards,
Norman.

Norman McCormick · 24th June 2012, 05:24 PM

Hi,
Some more photographs with different lighting.
Regards,
Norman.

Atlantia · 24th June 2012, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

Hi,
Some more photographs with different lighting.
Regards,
Norman.

Hi Norman,

Is that how it came to you or post-etching of a clean smooth surface?

Norman McCormick · 24th June 2012, 06:05 PM

Hi Gene,
I have not etched the blade at all I've only cleaned off grime and tobacco tar, the whole thing is pretty manky, and given it a little polish with ultra fine paper.
Regards,
Norman.

Atlantia · 24th June 2012, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

Hi Gene,
I have not etched the blade at all I've only cleaned off grime and tobacco tar, the whole thing is pretty manky, and given it a little polish with ultra fine paper.
Regards,
Norman.

Try a little etch?

Norman McCormick · 24th June 2012, 08:28 PM

Hi Gene,
Some close-ups, best I can do with an older compact camera. Will try and get hold of a better machine.
My Regards,
Norman.

Atlantia · 24th June 2012, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

Hi Gene,
Some close-ups, best I can do with an older compact camera. Will try and get hold of a better machine.
My Regards,
Norman.

I'm not seeing wootz, but it does look like a pattern weld thats been scrubbed out. Have a look at this, what do you think:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...0&postcount=28

24th June 2012, 02:39 PM	#1
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,613	Wootz ? Assistance Needed. Hi, This is a small section from an Indian piece I have aquired, can you tell me if this is wootz? I will post the whole blade in due course but my curiosity is aroused upon cleaning a small section and coming up with this pattern. Many thanks. Norman. Attached Images

24th June 2012, 02:52 PM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Based on that picture I'd say not. Possible that a good polish and etch would reveal a pattern weld though. The circles are very interesting as they seem so numerous. Possibly a genuine raindrop pattern? Which would be rarer than simple crystaline wootz. I'd say definately worth more work. Last edited by Atlantia; 24th June 2012 at 07:13 PM.

24th June 2012, 05:24 PM	#4
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,613	Hi, Some more photographs with different lighting. Regards, Norman. Attached Images

24th June 2012, 08:28 PM	#8
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,613	Hi Gene, Some close-ups, best I can do with an older compact camera. Will try and get hold of a better machine. My Regards, Norman. Attached Images

24th June 2012, 03:17 PM	#3
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,613	Hi Gene, Thanks for your help. My Regards, Norman.

24th June 2012, 06:05 PM	#6
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,613	Hi Gene, I have not etched the blade at all I've only cleaned off grime and tobacco tar, the whole thing is pretty manky, and given it a little polish with ultra fine paper. Regards, Norman.