Two Indian Knives for interest and/or comment

Miguel · 13th June 2017, 07:34 PM

Thank you Marius for your reply, I had never thought of the second one as an Indian Kukri. I have always thought it was Indian made as a hunting knife for a European with it having quillons and a false edge. With regard to the first one I don't think it is wootz I cant see any pattern in the steel.

Thank you also Tatyana, the link was very interesting. I also agree with your dating.
Regards
Miguel

Gonzalo G · 14th June 2017, 04:24 AM

Hi Miguel,
Are you sure that the Tiger's Tooth has 4 inches (10cm) at the widest part of the blade? It seems disproportionate with its total lenght, but I can be mistaken. The surface of the blade looks as it could be made from multilaminated steel, but photos are tricky.
Regards

Rick · 14th June 2017, 05:43 AM

If you ever get bored with that kukri.............

Miguel · 15th June 2017, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gonzalo G

Hi Miguel,
Are you sure that the Tiger's Tooth has 4 inches (10cm) at the widest part of the blade? It seems disproportionate with its total lenght, but I can be mistaken. The surface of the blade looks as it could be made from multilaminated steel, but photos are tricky.
Regards

Hello Gonzalo, well spotted, thanks for pointing it out I must be cracking up

I have checked again and the blade is 2 ins wide just below the hilt then 1.75 ins. Not sure about the blade looks like carbon steel to me.
Regards
Miguel

Gonzalo G · 16th June 2017, 10:09 AM

Thank you, Miguel. The multilamination can be made of many steels, and it was made in the old times from simple carbon steel. Several plates were forge-welded to make a blade.
Regards

mariusgmioc · 16th June 2017, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miguel

Hello Gonzalo, well spotted, thanks for pointing it out I must be cracking up

I have checked again and the blade is 2 ins wide just below the hilt then 1.75 ins. Not sure about the blade looks like carbon steel to me.
Regards
Miguel

Hello Miguel,

Wootz IS carbon steel and when polished, it is practically undistinguishable from plain carbon steel.

I agree with the age of the blade suggested in previous postings and with the high probability it is not wootz. However, it remains a slight probability that the blade is older than it was estimated and it is made of wootz. And I would explore this possibility.

Anyhow, both are very nice and well made blades!

Miguel · 18th June 2017, 02:34 PM

Hello Marius, thanks for you comments. When I have a little more time I will do as you suggest and test for wootz.

I have been checking some cleaners we use at home for various jobs and wonder if anyone of these would be suitable for etching the steel.
White vinegar.

Brick acid ( 19% HCl ).

Toilet cleaner ( 9% HCl )
Regards
Miguel

Ian · 18th June 2017, 06:05 PM

Miguel:

Apologies for jumping in here, but please do not use HCl. Others may have a better experience than I have, but I think HCl is dangerous to use on weapons. Hydrochloric acid (a.k.a. muriatic acid) in those concentrations is very corrosive and will etch carbon steel darkly. I have had no success with trying to bring out patterns consistently with more dilute solutions of HCl.

Vinegar is an excellent etchant but may take some time depending on the amount of acetic acid present. Vinegar's acidity will deteriorate with age as the acetic acid is converted to other compounds.

Ian.

Miguel · 18th June 2017, 06:53 PM

Hello Ian, thank you very much for your advice, much appreciated, most likely prevented a catastrophe, white vinegar it is then. I just purchased a new quantity so should be OK

Thanks again
Miguel

13th June 2017, 07:34 PM	#1
Miguel Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 584	Thank you Marius for your reply, I had never thought of the second one as an Indian Kukri. I have always thought it was Indian made as a hunting knife for a European with it having quillons and a false edge. With regard to the first one I don't think it is wootz I cant see any pattern in the steel. Thank you also Tatyana, the link was very interesting. I also agree with your dating. Regards Miguel

14th June 2017, 04:24 AM	#2
Gonzalo G Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Nothern Mexico Posts: 458	Hi Miguel, Are you sure that the Tiger's Tooth has 4 inches (10cm) at the widest part of the blade? It seems disproportionate with its total lenght, but I can be mistaken. The surface of the blade looks as it could be made from multilaminated steel, but photos are tricky. Regards

14th June 2017, 05:43 AM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	If you ever get bored with that kukri.............

16th June 2017, 10:09 AM	#5
Gonzalo G Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Nothern Mexico Posts: 458	Thank you, Miguel. The multilamination can be made of many steels, and it was made in the old times from simple carbon steel. Several plates were forge-welded to make a blade. Regards

18th June 2017, 02:34 PM	#7
Miguel Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 584	Hello Marius, thanks for you comments. When I have a little more time I will do as you suggest and test for wootz. I have been checking some cleaners we use at home for various jobs and wonder if anyone of these would be suitable for etching the steel. White vinegar. Brick acid ( 19% HCl ). Toilet cleaner ( 9% HCl ) Regards Miguel

18th June 2017, 06:05 PM	#8
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Miguel: Apologies for jumping in here, but please do not use HCl. Others may have a better experience than I have, but I think HCl is dangerous to use on weapons. Hydrochloric acid (a.k.a. muriatic acid) in those concentrations is very corrosive and will etch carbon steel darkly. I have had no success with trying to bring out patterns consistently with more dilute solutions of HCl. Vinegar is an excellent etchant but may take some time depending on the amount of acetic acid present. Vinegar's acidity will deteriorate with age as the acetic acid is converted to other compounds. Ian.

18th June 2017, 06:53 PM	#9
Miguel Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 584	Hello Ian, thank you very much for your advice, much appreciated, most likely prevented a catastrophe, white vinegar it is then. I just purchased a new quantity so should be OK Thanks again Miguel