ANOTHER SECRET OF WOOTZ (Or is it????)

ALEX · 24th April 2006, 12:41 PM

The secret of Damascus Steel of Legend has been considered The Lost Art for about 100 years. But now, when the secret has been solved, can we even term it as “Lost Art”?…well, I still do when I show off my Damascus Steel collection J. But seriously, is it Lost, when we have “Know How” and CAN successfully reproduce it? Moreover, is it possible that the Wootz of Legend will be mass-produced any way you want it – Kirk-Rose, Double/Triple Kirk-Rose, etc.
Now, get ready for this… is it another secret? Something we did not even thought of. Let me explain:
A friend of mine has a wootz blade with pattern-writing on it (I just came up with the term, BTW). Seriously, the wootz pattern takes form of Arabic letters. No, I am not talking about etching, waxes, or any other mechanical methods. The Wootz PATTERN itself forms the letters. There are also regular random lines, circles, etc, just like any regular wootz pattern, but under magnifier glass – you see clear Arabic Letters, scattered along the full lengths of the blade, presumable forming a verse from Quran. Now, that is AMAZING!!!!!
Have anyone heard of or saw anything like this?

P.S. Please do not ask if the blade is for sale. It actually is, but trust me, you can NOT afford it

M.carter · 24th April 2006, 01:07 PM

Interesting, any pics??

nechesh · 24th April 2006, 03:24 PM

Well Alex, i too would love to see pictures of this "AMAZING" blade. Not that i doubt you really, but it is a little difficult for us to talk about something we have not seen.
As for who can afford what, i wouldn't make any assumptions about the ability of certain members here to come up with large amounts of money to gain a desirable new acquisition for their collections. You can, however, be assured that i am not one of them.

Rick · 24th April 2006, 04:12 PM

Not much comment can be made without high quality pictures to view Alex

Have you read chapter 5 in Figiel's book ON DAMASCUS STEEL ? This chapter covers the manipulation of wootz .

ALEX · 24th April 2006, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Not much comment can be made without high quality pictures to view Alex

Have you read chapter 5 in Figiel's book ON DAMASCUS STEEL ? This chapter covers the manipulation of wootz .

Rick, I'll read it again, but I do not believe it mentions anything like it.
As far as pictures, it'll be difficult to make them, as the leters are seen ONLY under strong magnification. I'll try to, as I'd love to have the pics.
Thanks to all for interest.

Rick · 24th April 2006, 05:28 PM

Hi Alex , Figiel mentions nothing (I believe) about making letters in wootz .
He does cover kirk narduban and the rose pattern though .

If these arabic words are so miniscule as to need strong magnification ; I would then wonder if this is not a matter of interpretation of abstract forms resembling something concrete .

Again , without pictures .........

24th April 2006, 12:41 PM	#1
ALEX Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 936	ANOTHER SECRET OF WOOTZ (Or is it????) The secret of Damascus Steel of Legend has been considered The Lost Art for about 100 years. But now, when the secret has been solved, can we even term it as “Lost Art”?…well, I still do when I show off my Damascus Steel collection J. But seriously, is it Lost, when we have “Know How” and CAN successfully reproduce it? Moreover, is it possible that the Wootz of Legend will be mass-produced any way you want it – Kirk-Rose, Double/Triple Kirk-Rose, etc. Now, get ready for this… is it another secret? Something we did not even thought of. Let me explain: A friend of mine has a wootz blade with pattern-writing on it (I just came up with the term, BTW). Seriously, the wootz pattern takes form of Arabic letters. No, I am not talking about etching, waxes, or any other mechanical methods. The Wootz PATTERN itself forms the letters. There are also regular random lines, circles, etc, just like any regular wootz pattern, but under magnifier glass – you see clear Arabic Letters, scattered along the full lengths of the blade, presumable forming a verse from Quran. Now, that is AMAZING!!!!! Have anyone heard of or saw anything like this? P.S. Please do not ask if the blade is for sale. It actually is, but trust me, you can NOT afford it

24th April 2006, 01:07 PM	#2
M.carter Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 176	Interesting, any pics??

24th April 2006, 03:24 PM	#3
nechesh Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 940	Well Alex, i too would love to see pictures of this "AMAZING" blade. Not that i doubt you really, but it is a little difficult for us to talk about something we have not seen. As for who can afford what, i wouldn't make any assumptions about the ability of certain members here to come up with large amounts of money to gain a desirable new acquisition for their collections. You can, however, be assured that i am not one of them.

24th April 2006, 04:12 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Not much comment can be made without high quality pictures to view Alex Have you read chapter 5 in Figiel's book ON DAMASCUS STEEL ? This chapter covers the manipulation of wootz .

24th April 2006, 05:28 PM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Hi Alex , Figiel mentions nothing (I believe) about making letters in wootz . He does cover kirk narduban and the rose pattern though . If these arabic words are so miniscule as to need strong magnification ; I would then wonder if this is not a matter of interpretation of abstract forms resembling something concrete . Again , without pictures .........