What does magnetism mean on a blade?

[Jim McDougall]

Hi Gav,
You're right, such rubbing action certainly might in some degree cause some static electric type effect.
In looking back on this topic, I was rereading Jens' thread on magnetic blades from 2005 (now in the Classic Threads file) and this discussion was incredible! While about 99% of it was so far over my head, it was still so well worded that it was even understandable to me, and fascinating.

Apparantly 'Mare Rosu' (Gene) had a dagger from Mysore that had some sort of multipolar magnetic phenomenon going on, and different parts of the blade had magnetic poles facing alternate directions! Even Dr. Ann Feuerbach, who wrote her Ph.D paper on crucible steel came in on the discussion, and was as intrigued by the topic as all the rest of us.
I found references in Pant ("Indian Arms and Armour" p.90-92) where the smelting of ingots in regions in Hyderbad contained magnetic schist mixed with haematites and black ferruginous sands and were exported to Persia, Syria and East Africa from Cutch.

It was noted in the thread that magnetization can occur from grinding and sharpenening or various 'working' of the blade, which would fall in line with your suggestion of repeated rubbing. Apparantly, polishing stones sometimes include lodestone, again toward these possibilities.

Apparantly, my thought on magnetic application to a blade to suggest quality, i.e. steel from sources such as this sought after Hyderabad product was suggested by Tom Hyle (Feb. 20, 2005) in this classic thread.

Fearn, nothing at all wrong with the 'way cool' theory ...in fact, pretty neat idea in sword combat....the other guys sword gets dragged to your blade. Wonder why the Zorro guys didnt think of this..a magnetic sword and all the soldiers swords fly toward Zorro's Hmmm. on second thought !
Really bad visual!

All the best,
Jim

[David]

Here's the link to the magnetism thread Jim mentioned:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=magnetic

[Jim McDougall]

Just found this:

From "Arms and Armour of Arabia" (Robert Elgood, London, 1994, p.86).

H.H. Sultan Ghalib Al Qu'aiti explaining to the Dr. Elgood how a magnetic quality found in some dagger blades raises its esteem:

"...I have known soldiers from my guard, when out of uniform and wearing thier janabi, showing off the quality of thier blade by trying to lift coins and moving them ever so slightly. The very best janabi and nimcha blades were imported into the Hadrahmaut from Hyderabad, where they are made and known as 'Haiderabad'."

In my previous post the magnetic schist in steel from Hyderabad is noted.

[kronckew]

carbon steel loses it's magnetism when heated, an effect used by smiths when heat treating - hardening. the temp at which the steel is no longer attracted to a magnet is the temp at which it should reach before it is suddenly cooled in oil or water (or a slave). the experienced smiths know when that point is reached by the color or the steel. any magnetism after that has been re-added. magnetic sword holders were popular for wall hanging, which imparts magnetism. sitting in the earths magnetic field for an extended period of not being moved will magnetize steel (or CRT TV screens). working the steel can also do it. i remember a teacher taking an iron rod and demonstrating it was not magnetized. he then gave it a few good whacks on one end with a hammer and then demonstrated it would then pick up iron filings. (he then demag'd it with an AC coil like that which was used to demag TV screens).

pen nibs are usually a high carbon steel plated in gold (or platinum for the expensive ones). that makes them resist corrosion from the ink and keeps the writing smooth over it's life time. the 'brass' nibs are likely just gold plated steel. gold, brass, copper is not magnetic or attracted in a constant magnetic field unless there is an electric current going thru it, like in a copper wire coil on a motor...

[Dmitry]

Is the dagger pictured above from the Trabzon/Trebizond area?