Pala-translation if possible

DaveS · 6th February 2014, 04:47 AM

Here is a Turkish pala for viewing. Probably a parade sword. The blade is 27 inches long, 33 inches long overall. It is a blade of the sham variety and on this particular piece no pattern is seen in these pictures. I have learned that Turkish wootz blades seem to give problems that other blades don't when they are etched. Sometimes no matter how clean the metal is that there will be cloudy areas that appear, that on the next clean and etch will be in a different part of the blade. I have etched this blade over a dozen times with varying degrees of success. Sometimes the pattern is barely discernible, sometimes like these pictures, not able to see anything. I've tried different acids with very little luck. Over the years I have etched many, many blades, but this one is the toughest one that I've run up against. Any ideas?..........Dave.

6th February 2014, 04:47 AM	#1
DaveS Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 327	Pala-translation if possible Here is a Turkish pala for viewing. Probably a parade sword. The blade is 27 inches long, 33 inches long overall. It is a blade of the sham variety and on this particular piece no pattern is seen in these pictures. I have learned that Turkish wootz blades seem to give problems that other blades don't when they are etched. Sometimes no matter how clean the metal is that there will be cloudy areas that appear, that on the next clean and etch will be in a different part of the blade. I have etched this blade over a dozen times with varying degrees of success. Sometimes the pattern is barely discernible, sometimes like these pictures, not able to see anything. I've tried different acids with very little luck. Over the years I have etched many, many blades, but this one is the toughest one that I've run up against. Any ideas?..........Dave. Attached Images