A Pattern Welded Katar

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Going back about thirty years I handled a beautiful katar that was forged with a chevron pattern. It was exceptional.

I've never attempted it, but I rather think that welding wootz to ordinary material that had been pattern welded might be just a wee bit tricky.

Hi Alan,

Haven't we seen blades with wootz on one side and laminated/pattern welded on the other?
Seem to remember such a discussion from a while back......?


Lew,

Nice katar mate.
Were it just darkened with patina I would heve suggested an etch because I'd have thought simply from the style that wootz was a good possibility.
However, that said I've seen plenty of nice indian blades with interesting laminated 'patterns' (although not usually Katar).
I agree that we do see a lot of Katar with tips missing and this would seem to be an excellent method of strengthening that area.
I think that now that we are all wootz obcessed we are going to see a lot of 'investigations' into blade construction turning up interesting results during the search for wootz, as pretty much all old blades get 'tested'.
I've seen a few Tulwar turning up recently with laminated/pattern welded blades.

Best
Gene