Damascus Kukri

Battara · 1st September 2019, 08:22 AM

Greetings Folks,

Here is my newest kukri (thanks Rsword). It has a laminated steel blade with one large fuller and smaller ones up top. The hilt is chiseled steel i floral motif. I packed the recesses with lime (remnants of lime was already in the hilt).

Damascus bladed kukri's appear to be rare, and this one I suspect might be from the early to mid 1800s (or earlier according to Rick's informant).

Enjoy.

francantolin · 1st September 2019, 12:15 PM

Waouh,
Lovely !
Really nice piece !

Will you use sandstone 800/100 for clean/sand it ?

Battara · 1st September 2019, 08:27 PM

I was luck - it was already polished. Just had to use acetone to get off the old oils. then I etched the blade and limed the hilt.

Also I forgot that it could also be from the late 1700s during the Indian Mutiny.

Ian · 1st September 2019, 11:51 PM

Very nice kukri! Congrats.

Ferguson · 2nd September 2019, 02:48 AM

What an outstanding piece. Congrats!

Steve

RAMBA · 2nd September 2019, 11:43 AM

This is a nice kukri that I would put to the Indian Mutany period based on other similar kukri with steel hilt, full tang peened arrangement, fullering and laminated steel. 1857–59 or there about.

"Indian Mutiny, also called Sepoy Mutiny or First War of Independence, widespread but unsuccessful rebellion against British rule in India in 1857–59. Begun in Meerut by Indian troops (sepoys) in the service of the British East India Company, it spread to Delhi, Agra, Kanpur, and Lucknow."

Didn't bid on this one as I have another two inbound.

Sajen · 2nd September 2019, 06:10 PM

Hi Jose,
Very nice piece! Blade is after my fancy too dark etched, or too strong, I would repolish the blade a little bit. Anyway, congrats!

Regards,
Detlef

mariusgmioc · 2nd September 2019, 07:28 PM

Very good and rare aquisition!

However, this is not a kris so the etching should be very discrete... if any.
I suspect it was over-etched to make the pattern discernable in the photos, and facilitate the sale.
So, I agree with Detlef and suggest you polish it a little. The pattern should be only visible in reflected light.

Battara · 2nd September 2019, 11:52 PM

Thanks folks.

I will go back and repolish and re-etch the blade to where it won't be so dark and a little more subtle.

Also I'll also get back to you on the measurements as well.

MacCathain · 3rd September 2019, 12:51 AM

Here I have its cousin from the tin chirra branch of the family. The laminations are certainly visible in the right light, but I haven't brought it out through etching.

There are a few spots on the grip where there is a gray/white residue (you can see this in the close-up . . . next to the ring on the concave side of the grip).

Please educate me: What's the story behind liming the grip?

Battara · 3rd September 2019, 11:13 PM

MacCaithan thanks so much for posting - you have now confirmed what kind of scabbard should I choose to make one for my kukri.

The "white" parts of your hilt appear to be silver plating over the steel. I figure that the lime packing is for visual effect, that it brings out the designs better (like that of some Moro scabbards).

Also I forgot to add the lengths: 15 inches over all (37.5 cm).

BTW - I LOVE your kukri example.

MacCathain · 3rd September 2019, 11:47 PM

Thanks, Battara. The silver bits in the design that contrast with the darkened steel areas constitute what I think could be classed as niello decoration, and they are, indeed, silver.

The residue that I mentioned is different; it looks a bit like old toothpaste in the small crevices (the deposits are not as easy to see in the image as I had hoped they would be). There are only a few places where these are visible, so they may not be residual decoration (perhaps they're just toothpaste).

The scabbard struck me as being unusually plain for this well-executed kukri. I would have expected something a bit more flash. Even the chape has been given the darkened steel treatment, though, so I believe it is the original scabbard. Here's a better view of what the face of it looks like.

This kukri measures 15.75" straight from the tip to the farthest end of the pommel cap. The grip is among the smallest in my small collection at only 4" on center.

Battara · 4th September 2019, 03:09 AM

Yup that "toothpaste" is lime.

Also thank you for the scabbard picture.

Battara · 4th September 2019, 05:03 AM

Is this better?

MacCathain · 4th September 2019, 11:35 PM

Your photos are great. When I said "the deposits are not as easy to see in the image as I had hoped they would be," I was talking about the photo that I had posted.

Battara · 5th September 2019, 12:29 AM

Oh my re-etch is not in response to you, MacCathain, but to the feedback from others.

Not sure if I should polish even more, or re-etch even lighter.

Rick · 5th September 2019, 03:15 AM

My 2 cents, polish more; and what is the brown color coming up when you etch?
Maybe try a different etchant to avoid the brown tones?

It is a very nice old warrior.

mariusgmioc · 5th September 2019, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

My 2 cents, polish more; and what is the brown color coming up when you etch?
Maybe try a different etchant to avoid the brown tones?

It is a very nice old warrior.

Or maybe don't etch it at all. The pattern should still be visible.

Battara · 6th September 2019, 07:18 AM

Here is the final version. I just took 600 grit and gently took off the yellow and brown. The picture of the damascus is done at an angle.

Thank you for your advice and help folks.

RAMBA · 6th September 2019, 09:21 AM

Looks good.

David R · 6th September 2019, 09:58 AM

Properly speaking, I would say it's a laminated or watered steel blade rather than Damascus, a term normally reserved for Wootz or Pattern Welded blades. It is a very nice piece indeed, and I find the idea of "liming" the hilt to bring out the pattern very interesting.
Here is my chiselled steel hilt for comparison... There's not a lot of them about.

Battara · 6th September 2019, 07:03 PM

Great piece for comparison Dave, thanks!

Yeah lime on kukris was new to me too, but steel doesn't produce that kind of oxidation, and it's not dirt either.

1st September 2019, 08:22 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,226	Damascus Kukri Greetings Folks, Here is my newest kukri (thanks Rsword). It has a laminated steel blade with one large fuller and smaller ones up top. The hilt is chiseled steel i floral motif. I packed the recesses with lime (remnants of lime was already in the hilt). Damascus bladed kukri's appear to be rare, and this one I suspect might be from the early to mid 1800s (or earlier according to Rick's informant). Enjoy. Attached Images

3rd September 2019, 12:51 AM	#10
MacCathain Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 66	Here I have its cousin from the tin chirra branch of the family. The laminations are certainly visible in the right light, but I haven't brought it out through etching. There are a few spots on the grip where there is a gray/white residue (you can see this in the close-up . . . next to the ring on the concave side of the grip). Please educate me: What's the story behind liming the grip? Attached Images

3rd September 2019, 11:47 PM	#12
MacCathain Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 66	Thanks, Battara. The silver bits in the design that contrast with the darkened steel areas constitute what I think could be classed as niello decoration, and they are, indeed, silver. The residue that I mentioned is different; it looks a bit like old toothpaste in the small crevices (the deposits are not as easy to see in the image as I had hoped they would be). There are only a few places where these are visible, so they may not be residual decoration (perhaps they're just toothpaste). The scabbard struck me as being unusually plain for this well-executed kukri. I would have expected something a bit more flash. Even the chape has been given the darkened steel treatment, though, so I believe it is the original scabbard. Here's a better view of what the face of it looks like. This kukri measures 15.75" straight from the tip to the farthest end of the pommel cap. The grip is among the smallest in my small collection at only 4" on center. Attached Images

4th September 2019, 05:03 AM	#14
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,226	Is this better? Attached Images

6th September 2019, 07:18 AM	#19
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,226	Here is the final version. I just took 600 grit and gently took off the yellow and brown. The picture of the damascus is done at an angle. Thank you for your advice and help folks. Attached Images

1st September 2019, 12:15 PM	#2
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 878	Waouh, Lovely ! Really nice piece ! Will you use sandstone 800/100 for clean/sand it ?

1st September 2019, 08:27 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,226	I was luck - it was already polished. Just had to use acetone to get off the old oils. then I etched the blade and limed the hilt. Also I forgot that it could also be from the late 1700s during the Indian Mutiny.

1st September 2019, 11:51 PM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,203	Very nice kukri! Congrats.

2nd September 2019, 02:48 AM	#5
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	What an outstanding piece. Congrats! Steve

2nd September 2019, 11:43 AM	#6
RAMBA Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 102	This is a nice kukri that I would put to the Indian Mutany period based on other similar kukri with steel hilt, full tang peened arrangement, fullering and laminated steel. 1857–59 or there about. "Indian Mutiny, also called Sepoy Mutiny or First War of Independence, widespread but unsuccessful rebellion against British rule in India in 1857–59. Begun in Meerut by Indian troops (sepoys) in the service of the British East India Company, it spread to Delhi, Agra, Kanpur, and Lucknow." Didn't bid on this one as I have another two inbound.

2nd September 2019, 06:10 PM	#7
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,788	Hi Jose, Very nice piece! Blade is after my fancy too dark etched, or too strong, I would repolish the blade a little bit. Anyway, congrats! Regards, Detlef

2nd September 2019, 07:28 PM	#8
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,903	Very good and rare aquisition! However, this is not a kris so the etching should be very discrete... if any. I suspect it was over-etched to make the pattern discernable in the photos, and facilitate the sale. So, I agree with Detlef and suggest you polish it a little. The pattern should be only visible in reflected light.

2nd September 2019, 11:52 PM	#9
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,226	Thanks folks. I will go back and repolish and re-etch the blade to where it won't be so dark and a little more subtle. Also I'll also get back to you on the measurements as well.

3rd September 2019, 11:13 PM	#11
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,226	MacCaithan thanks so much for posting - you have now confirmed what kind of scabbard should I choose to make one for my kukri. The "white" parts of your hilt appear to be silver plating over the steel. I figure that the lime packing is for visual effect, that it brings out the designs better (like that of some Moro scabbards). Also I forgot to add the lengths: 15 inches over all (37.5 cm). BTW - I LOVE your kukri example.

4th September 2019, 03:09 AM	#13
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,226	Yup that "toothpaste" is lime. Also thank you for the scabbard picture.

4th September 2019, 11:35 PM	#15
MacCathain Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 66	Your photos are great. When I said "the deposits are not as easy to see in the image as I had hoped they would be," I was talking about the photo that I had posted.

5th September 2019, 12:29 AM	#16
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,226	Oh my re-etch is not in response to you, MacCathain, but to the feedback from others. Not sure if I should polish even more, or re-etch even lighter.

5th September 2019, 03:15 AM	#17
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	My 2 cents, polish more; and what is the brown color coming up when you etch? Maybe try a different etchant to avoid the brown tones? It is a very nice old warrior.

6th September 2019, 09:21 AM	#20
RAMBA Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 102	Looks good.

6th September 2019, 09:58 AM	#21
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,079	Properly speaking, I would say it's a laminated or watered steel blade rather than Damascus, a term normally reserved for Wootz or Pattern Welded blades. It is a very nice piece indeed, and I find the idea of "liming" the hilt to bring out the pattern very interesting. Here is my chiselled steel hilt for comparison... There's not a lot of them about. Attached Images

6th September 2019, 07:03 PM	#22
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,226	Great piece for comparison Dave, thanks! Yeah lime on kukris was new to me too, but steel doesn't produce that kind of oxidation, and it's not dirt either.