Tulwar with wootz blade!!

Flavio · 23rd January 2007, 05:28 PM

Hi all, finally i can show you my first wootz blade!!! I have etched just a little the blade and now you can just see the wootz, but i will etch a little more (it's more complicated to make evident wootz, more than on moro blades to show the laminations!!! any suggestions are welcome, i have used vinegar with semi-hot water). The handle is nice with black enamel, but it's rusty and i don't know what i have to do: i have to gently pass on the zones whitout enamel a fine iron wool or i have to leave the handle as it is? More the blade shows some letters - marks: can someone tell me what they mean? the blade shows also a part where two pieces of iron wootz were forged togheter (i think) and if i'm correct i have already read that sometimes this happens. Any ideas one the age? Unfortunatly the scabbard is in very poor conditions!!!! Thank you very much for the help!!

HUSAR · 23rd January 2007, 05:58 PM

Hi Flavio
Nice sword! Search forum there is much information on bringing out patterns, personally I use different chemical solution based on acids, just lately I found CuSO4 as a very nice way to work with some damascus blades....
To bring out pattern and see nice blade is a matter what you choose, polish it or leave with "patina" I prefer first option and always try to bring old glory of my blades

but some collectors dislike it
Best
Husar

Flavio · 23rd January 2007, 06:11 PM

Thank you Husar! Sorry for my ignorance but what's CuSO4?

Lew · 23rd January 2007, 06:26 PM

Flavio

You can use ferric chloride solution 1 part ferric chloride to 3 parts distilled water. Apply with a brush or clean cotton cloth to a small area of the blade to see if the wootz pattern emerges. You can rinse the blade with warm water. Be careful this stuff stains so wear a latex glove for protection.

Lew

Flavio · 23rd January 2007, 06:57 PM

Hi Lew, thank you, i will try, but where i can find ferric chloride?

Flavio · 23rd January 2007, 07:29 PM

Ah ok, ok i have found it!!

HUSAR · 23rd January 2007, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flavio

Thank you Husar! Sorry for my ignorance but what's CuSO4?

It is copper sulfate

Flavio · 23rd January 2007, 07:35 PM

Thank you Husar

Flavio · 24th January 2007, 07:42 PM

Any idea about the signs-letters on the blade? and about age? thanks

23rd January 2007, 05:28 PM	#1
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Tulwar with wootz blade!! Hi all, finally i can show you my first wootz blade!!! I have etched just a little the blade and now you can just see the wootz, but i will etch a little more (it's more complicated to make evident wootz, more than on moro blades to show the laminations!!! any suggestions are welcome, i have used vinegar with semi-hot water). The handle is nice with black enamel, but it's rusty and i don't know what i have to do: i have to gently pass on the zones whitout enamel a fine iron wool or i have to leave the handle as it is? More the blade shows some letters - marks: can someone tell me what they mean? the blade shows also a part where two pieces of iron wootz were forged togheter (i think) and if i'm correct i have already read that sometimes this happens. Any ideas one the age? Unfortunatly the scabbard is in very poor conditions!!!! Thank you very much for the help!! Attached Images Last edited by Flavio; 23rd January 2007 at 06:13 PM.

23rd January 2007, 05:58 PM	#2
HUSAR Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Poland Posts: 80	Hi Flavio Nice sword! Search forum there is much information on bringing out patterns, personally I use different chemical solution based on acids, just lately I found CuSO4 as a very nice way to work with some damascus blades.... To bring out pattern and see nice blade is a matter what you choose, polish it or leave with "patina" I prefer first option and always try to bring old glory of my blades but some collectors dislike it Best Husar

23rd January 2007, 06:11 PM	#3
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Thank you Husar! Sorry for my ignorance but what's CuSO4?

23rd January 2007, 06:26 PM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Flavio You can use ferric chloride solution 1 part ferric chloride to 3 parts distilled water. Apply with a brush or clean cotton cloth to a small area of the blade to see if the wootz pattern emerges. You can rinse the blade with warm water. Be careful this stuff stains so wear a latex glove for protection. Lew

23rd January 2007, 06:57 PM	#5
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hi Lew, thank you, i will try, but where i can find ferric chloride?

23rd January 2007, 07:29 PM	#6
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Ah ok, ok i have found it!!

23rd January 2007, 07:35 PM	#8
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Thank you Husar

24th January 2007, 07:42 PM	#9
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Any idea about the signs-letters on the blade? and about age? thanks