Stunning wootz Kard

TimW · 11th February 2013, 10:10 PM

ADMIN: how can I move this post to the etnographic area?

Richard Furrer · 11th February 2013, 10:42 PM

Very good looking piece. It appears someone touched it to a modern belt sander which is a bit of a pity.
I like the chips int he edge...hard blade.

Ric

Dom · 12th February 2013, 12:38 AM

Hi Tim
you are a damned lucky guy

I love those type of knife, specially with a beautiful "Johar" blade, and fantastic ivory handle
and I don't mention the matter about the ridiculous price

my most sincere congratulations

all the best

à +

Dom

Chris Evans · 12th February 2013, 01:13 AM

Richard,

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Furrer

I like the chips int he edge...hard blade.Ric

Does not seem as if the edge has been quench hardened. So how hard do you estimate it to be?

Cheers
Chris

TimW · 12th February 2013, 07:17 AM

I don't have the feeling that the blade has been reground / ruined on a belt grinder. The grinding is very professional / symmetric and is obviously doen with lots of skill (it looks much more 'disturbing on picture than in reality). I have the feeling that it's an old grind / done on a stone wheel.

The edge itself is very thin (almost razor - like) / so also very fragile.

Lew · 12th February 2013, 09:39 AM

Tim

Nice find but the edge was thinned out on some type of grinder and to me looks more recent than not

.

TimW · 12th February 2013, 09:50 AM

any ideas on the age?

Richard Furrer · 13th February 2013, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimW

I don't have the feeling that the blade has been reground / ruined on a belt grinder.

I did not say ruined Tim, but leaving evidence of the abrasive size is not something usually done on blades of this quality. Such things are done more recently...in my opinion.

Ric

Richard Furrer · 13th February 2013, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Evans

Richard,

Does not seem as if the edge has been quench hardened. So how hard do you estimate it to be?

Cheers
Chris

Impossible to tell without measuring on a machine.
As an indication of variety I suggest these two videos taken in Jodhpur, India. The two doing the testing are from The Wallace Collection of London and I'm the bearded one standing behind them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyGXTlEAaAY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMwZWp0b5kE

Generally speaking the matrix (dark areas)will deform before a chip forms...this is the nature of pearlite, but when you quench and turn the pearlite to martensite and do not reheat enough to temper that hardness then chips are more likely. The white bands are cementite and largely unchanged from heat treatment...they are very hard indeed...harder than martensite.

I have held some blades that, after testing, I was very careful setting the blade down...they were so hard I have no idea how they lasted hundreds of years. I would have thought a wing of a butterfly would shatter the edge.
Much to learn.

Ric

Chris Evans · 13th February 2013, 01:41 AM

Richard,

Thanks for those links and your explanation.

Cheers
Chris

CharlesS · 13th February 2013, 02:22 AM

The original quality of the entire piece is superb.

The koftgari work is exceptional.

The blade's finish and edge, would likely benefit from a professional polish.

Battara · 13th February 2013, 03:22 AM

Charles is completely right.

We both know of a great polisher for the blade. And I too LOVE the koftgari - great and precise workmanship!

11th February 2013, 10:10 PM	#1
TimW Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 54	ADMIN: how can I move this post to the etnographic area?

11th February 2013, 10:42 PM	#2
Richard Furrer Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin Posts: 163	Very good looking piece. It appears someone touched it to a modern belt sander which is a bit of a pity. I like the chips int he edge...hard blade. Ric

12th February 2013, 12:38 AM	#3
Dom Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Paris (FR*) Cairo (EG) Posts: 1,142	Hi Tim you are a damned lucky guy I love those type of knife, specially with a beautiful "Johar" blade, and fantastic ivory handle and I don't mention the matter about the ridiculous price my most sincere congratulations all the best à + Dom

12th February 2013, 07:17 AM	#5
TimW Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 54	I don't have the feeling that the blade has been reground / ruined on a belt grinder. The grinding is very professional / symmetric and is obviously doen with lots of skill (it looks much more 'disturbing on picture than in reality). I have the feeling that it's an old grind / done on a stone wheel. The edge itself is very thin (almost razor - like) / so also very fragile.

12th February 2013, 09:39 AM	#6
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Tim Nice find but the edge was thinned out on some type of grinder and to me looks more recent than not .

12th February 2013, 09:50 AM	#7
TimW Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 54	any ideas on the age?

13th February 2013, 01:41 AM	#10
Chris Evans Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 685	Richard, Thanks for those links and your explanation. Cheers Chris

13th February 2013, 02:22 AM	#11
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	The original quality of the entire piece is superb. The koftgari work is exceptional. The blade's finish and edge, would likely benefit from a professional polish.

13th February 2013, 03:22 AM	#12
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,270	Charles is completely right. We both know of a great polisher for the blade. And I too LOVE the koftgari - great and precise workmanship!