Damascus or damascening?

ariel · 15th November 2013, 12:55 PM

Colleagues,
This beautiful indo-persian saber was recently sol.
There sems to be a marked difference of opinion on the technique: is it a true mechanical damascus or just a superficial damascening ( etching?)

I am putting a bunch of close-up pics for you to express your opinion. The input from professional bladesmiths is especially welcoe.
Thanks.

ALEX · 15th November 2013, 04:55 PM

Clearly acid etch - imitation pattern applied on the surface.

mross · 15th November 2013, 05:07 PM

Looks etched to me as well.

Battara · 16th November 2013, 04:33 AM

Yep. I agree. However "damascening" means basically something like koftgari, but a little thicker, and usually in script.

ariel · 17th November 2013, 06:18 AM

Thanks to all.

Jens Nordlunde · 17th November 2013, 09:09 PM

Hello Ibrahiim,
It seems to me, that the text you have sent, is not written by you, but by Ann Feuerbach, and if this is correct why do you not give her credit for it?
One thing is to qwote a short text, and give the author credit for it, I think it is quite something else, to quote a whole article, screen page after screen page, and not even write who the author is.
It is beyound me, and I am sure it is not in the spirit of the forum.
Jens

15th November 2013, 12:55 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Damascus or damascening? Colleagues, This beautiful indo-persian saber was recently sol. There sems to be a marked difference of opinion on the technique: is it a true mechanical damascus or just a superficial damascening ( etching?) I am putting a bunch of close-up pics for you to express your opinion. The input from professional bladesmiths is especially welcoe. Thanks. Attached Images

15th November 2013, 04:55 PM	#2
ALEX Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 936	Clearly acid etch - imitation pattern applied on the surface.

15th November 2013, 05:07 PM	#3
mross Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 478	Looks etched to me as well.

16th November 2013, 04:33 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,170	Yep. I agree. However "damascening" means basically something like koftgari, but a little thicker, and usually in script.

17th November 2013, 06:18 AM	#5
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Thanks to all.

17th November 2013, 09:09 PM	#6
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,717	Hello Ibrahiim, It seems to me, that the text you have sent, is not written by you, but by Ann Feuerbach, and if this is correct why do you not give her credit for it? One thing is to qwote a short text, and give the author credit for it, I think it is quite something else, to quote a whole article, screen page after screen page, and not even write who the author is. It is beyound me, and I am sure it is not in the spirit of the forum. Jens