Kampilan Bolo - Bogobo or T'boli or a mixture?

prh345 · 1st February 2013, 02:57 PM

Thanks,

I will try the vinegar etch and see what comes out. I'll post a photo of the results.

Regards,
Peter

prh345 · 3rd February 2013, 02:23 PM

Hi,
Well, I etched with lemon juice and it did reveal figuring structures which I guess is indicative of lamination?

It is particularly evident along the cutting edge. This seems to match up with the report I found that said they split the edge and inserted steel along the cutting edge. The ruler scale where you can see it is graduated in mm.

Is this what you expected to see?

Thanks,
Peter

kai · 4th February 2013, 12:26 AM

Welcome, Peter,

Thanks for your well-researched thread!

Quote:

Well, I etched with lemon juice and it did reveal figuring structures which I guess is indicative of lamination?

Yes, definitely laminated! I think you can improve the eveness of the stain with another round of polishing and etching.

Quote:

It is particularly evident along the cutting edge. This seems to match up with the report I found that said they split the edge and inserted steel along the cutting edge.

Yes, the steel edge usually contrasts well with the lower-carbon iron. Have you checked the back of the blade? It is quite common to see traces of the steel core there, too (sandwich construction rather than inserted edge).

Regards,
Kai

prh345 · 4th February 2013, 01:55 PM

Hi Kai,

I'll follow your suggestion about re-polish and etch again and and see if anything shows up on the back edge.

This sandwich construction you mention is similar to the Japanese Katana fabrication method called "Sanmai" where the harder steel runs right through the middle of the blade. I have a Katana that uses this construction. Its only a modern Chinese version, (sadly the genuine article is way out of my reach) but still very well made and an excellent cutting blade.

Thanks for your input,
Peter

1st February 2013, 02:57 PM	#1
prh345 Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 5	Etching Thanks, I will try the vinegar etch and see what comes out. I'll post a photo of the results. Regards, Peter Last edited by prh345; 2nd February 2013 at 12:26 AM.

3rd February 2013, 02:23 PM	#2
prh345 Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 5	After etching Hi, Well, I etched with lemon juice and it did reveal figuring structures which I guess is indicative of lamination? It is particularly evident along the cutting edge. This seems to match up with the report I found that said they split the edge and inserted steel along the cutting edge. The ruler scale where you can see it is graduated in mm. Is this what you expected to see? Thanks, Peter Attached Images

4th February 2013, 01:55 PM	#4
prh345 Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 5	Etching Hi Kai, I'll follow your suggestion about re-polish and etch again and and see if anything shows up on the back edge. This sandwich construction you mention is similar to the Japanese Katana fabrication method called "Sanmai" where the harder steel runs right through the middle of the blade. I have a Katana that uses this construction. Its only a modern Chinese version, (sadly the genuine article is way out of my reach) but still very well made and an excellent cutting blade. Thanks for your input, Peter