Damascus or damascening?

[Raf]

Thanks to all. I had done a bit of background reading around the subject, but apparently not enough. What set me of was the observation that all researchers and experimenters trying to re create wootz start with molten iron which is carbonized either by adding charcoal or co fusion with cast iron. Which looks sensible since wootz is crucible steel. Until, that is you read Sir Richard Burtons first hand description of the process. (The book of the sword 1886) Which describes iron, which is first, converted into steel by the cementation process and only subsequently melted to form crucible steel. Subtle difference. Was this an important part of the process that nobody seemed to be looking at? I ran this idea past a contemporary maker of wootz and after a lengthy exchange the conclusion was it was a rubbish idea. It wouldn’t make any difference so it’s back to the science. I had no idea that wootz was such a complicated and emotional issue.

However, before leaving the subject does anybody have an opinion on the probable constitution of this barrel? Its currently loosely attached, in the way they usually are, to a Tibetan matchlock but may well be Persian. We know it’s twist welded but how would you describe the banding? Is it patterning welded, wootz or what?

[ariel]

Of course it is pattern welded. Wootz was never used to manufacture barrels.
Get yourself a book by Manfred Sachse "Damascus Steel"

http://www.amazon.com/Damascus-Steel...manfred+sachse

and it will clarify most, if not all, of your confusions.

[Richard Furrer]

Originally Posted by ariel

Of course it is pattern welded. Wootz was never used to manufacture barrels.
Get yourself a book by Manfred Sachse "Damascus Steel"

http://www.amazon.com/Damascus-Steel...manfred+sachse

and it will clarify most, if not all, of your confusions.

I'd love to see a wootz gun barrel.
I second and third Sachse book.

As usual I am late to the discussion...the sword blade is etched and done in a way to note try too hard to appear as anything different. I have seen some etch jobs which I had to really look at for a while to pick up up.
One modern artist is forging pattern-welded plates and using that to make molds into which he pours bronze. I had to look at his stuff VERY closely as the effect looks great. He does furniture with the technique.


Ric