Curious Moro blade

Ian · 17th April 2006, 04:30 AM

One other thing I would add in relation to the original subject of this thread and the Sumbawa (?) blade I show is the apparent similarity of the edges. The pictured item on eBay shows evidence of a hardened edge, which may have been inserted (as many Moro weapons show, perhaps in imitation of Chinese methods) or heat-treated (which is less commonly seen on Moro weapons).

I'm fairly confident that the edge on my sword/knife has been heat-treated differentially because there is evidence of lamination within the hardened area, and there is an obvious narrow transition line between the hardened edge and the body of the blade.

If the new owner of the eBay item were to clean and etch that blade, I think he would find evidence of differential heat-treatment also. IMO this is an unusual finding on Moro pieces and would tend to confirm the use of a blade made elsewhere.

Ian.

17th April 2006, 04:30 AM	#28
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Furthermore ... One other thing I would add in relation to the original subject of this thread and the Sumbawa (?) blade I show is the apparent similarity of the edges. The pictured item on eBay shows evidence of a hardened edge, which may have been inserted (as many Moro weapons show, perhaps in imitation of Chinese methods) or heat-treated (which is less commonly seen on Moro weapons). I'm fairly confident that the edge on my sword/knife has been heat-treated differentially because there is evidence of lamination within the hardened area, and there is an obvious narrow transition line between the hardened edge and the body of the blade. If the new owner of the eBay item were to clean and etch that blade, I think he would find evidence of differential heat-treatment also. IMO this is an unusual finding on Moro pieces and would tend to confirm the use of a blade made elsewhere. Ian.