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			Join Date: Jan 2006 
				
				
				
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			 Quote: 
	
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			Join Date: Dec 2004 
				Location: Europe 
				
				
					Posts: 2,718
				 
				
				
				
				
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			Like said before, most likely Indian and mechanical. Here is a picture of the ladder in mechanical pattern. 
		
		
		
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		#3 | 
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			Join Date: Jul 2007 
				Location: Virginia 
				
				
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			When I think of mechanical patterns a topography map comes to mind.  If the pattern looks map like it is a mechanically made pattern.  The  pattern on this sword looks very map like as when elevation changes are noted, so to me its a pattern weld. 
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
	rand  | 
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			Join Date: Dec 2004 
				Location: Greensboro, NC 
				
				
					Posts: 1,093
				 
				
				
				
				
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			 Quote: 
	
 Yes, you do get swirls or circular distortions in wootz as well. Your image is most certainly wootz. And nice wootz at that!  | 
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		#5 | 
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			Join Date: Dec 2004 
				Location: B.C. Canada 
				
				
					Posts: 473
				 
				
				
				
				
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			Hi Alex, 
		
		
		
			As you note the swirls certainly do appear in wootz. Its how they appear that determines if they are from wootz or mechanical damascus. Like Rand states, the mechanical pattern is more topographical and actually appears to have dips and valleys. I will post a piece of Indian wootz as well for contrast. All the Best Jeff  | 
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		#6 | 
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			 Member 
			
			
			
				
			
			Join Date: Jan 2006 
				
				
				
					Posts: 936
				 
				
				
				
				
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			Thanks to all for collaboration, and for posting wonderful examples and fantastic damascus closeups! Finally I see a "ladder" with mechanical pattern (Thanks Jens). 
		
		
		
			Even though I consider myself wootz-knowledgeable, sometimes I am not 100% sure. Like with the blade below. I thought it is wootz (low contrast/sham), but is it?  | 
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