Card Blade
 

This is a long (11'' blade) Turkish (?) card with an interesting blade. On one side it has some circular patterns, while the other side has only long lamination lines. One would think that the pattern should be at least somehow similar on both sides. Is it usual to see different pattern on opposite sides of the blade? or is this card special? :)

Hi Alex,

It is unusual to find a blade with different lamination patterns on both sides. I once had an Indian sword in which the wootz pattern was different on each side. I believe Artzi once had an Indian sword that had a wootz pattern on one side and a clear, homogenous pattern on the opposite. On my example, it was clear that the blade was "spliced" together as you had some interesting clouding in spots along the spine.

Thanks Rick,
I felt it is unusual card once I saw it. The blade is definitely one piece, I can not see any indication of splicing or sandwiching. Nice to know it is special :)

That is interesting. It is not uncommon for sanmai Chinese jian to have two different patterns, but that is because the "cheeks" are two completely separate pieces. If your blade were sanmai you would probably be able to see at least a faint line on the spine.
Josh

No Josh, no line at all. This is a solid one piece blade. Interesting indeed!