Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Jeff D · 15th December 2005, 04:42 AM

Hi All,

To my knowledge sham is a pattern in the steel that is not from mechanical folding. Whether it is a true wootz I am not sure? In Verhoeven's paper The Key Role of Impurities in Ancient Damascus Steel Blades . Sword 8 which most closely resembles sham, was eliminated from his study because it was hypoeutectoid. So by definition cannot be a true wootz. The pattern appeared superficial. Any thoughts Dr. Ann?

All the Best
Jeff

P.S. for what it is worth, the first looks like a very nice Indian wootz pattern (18th century), and the second although hard to say could be a late Persian piece of wootz.

Below is an example of sham pattern

15th December 2005, 04:42 AM	#7
Jeff D Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 473	Hi All, To my knowledge sham is a pattern in the steel that is not from mechanical folding. Whether it is a true wootz I am not sure? In Verhoeven's paper The Key Role of Impurities in Ancient Damascus Steel Blades . Sword 8 which most closely resembles sham, was eliminated from his study because it was hypoeutectoid. So by definition cannot be a true wootz. The pattern appeared superficial. Any thoughts Dr. Ann? All the Best Jeff P.S. for what it is worth, the first looks like a very nice Indian wootz pattern (18th century), and the second although hard to say could be a late Persian piece of wootz. Below is an example of sham pattern Attached Images