Is this Sham Wootz?? On a Wahabi Jambiya??

[Jeff D]

I vote it is acid etched. As stated by Lew.

Jeff

[archer]

Lew and Jeff while it's possible the blade pattern was etched. the area near the
hilt may be the burnishing sometimes done with a scratched design on Omani and Yemeni Khanjars. Designs hard to see and I no longer have it. I'm sure you are familiar with it.

[Richard Furrer]

Originally Posted by Jeff D

I vote it is acid etched. As stated by Lew.

Jeff

Jeff,
It is indeed acid etched..as are most all the crucible steel blades to show anything other than a mere hint of pattern when the light is just right, but the pattern which the acid reveals is in the steel not simply acid etched into its surface with a resist.

Ric

[Jeff D]

Originally Posted by Richard Furrer

Jeff,
It is indeed acid etched..as are most all the crucible steel blades to show anything other than a mere hint of pattern when the light is just right, but the pattern which the acid reveals is in the steel not simply acid etched into its surface with a resist.

Ric

Hi Ric,

No not acid etched to bring out the wootz pattern, but a surface acid etched pattern. Very similar to the method used on European presentation blades. I will see if I can find a reference.

Jeff

[Richard Furrer]

Originally Posted by Jeff D

Hi Ric,

No not acid etched to bring out the wootz pattern, but a surface acid etched pattern. Very similar to the method used on European presentation blades. I will see if I can find a reference.

Jeff

I disagree. I believe it is in the steel.
Ric

[archer]

Ric, I'll re etch the top blade in the fifth photo, it maybe a burnished area?? Note the one in photo 4 has the V in both directions too. The Balkan jambia has the same markings on both sides. Is is possible after annealing the tang hilt end was tempered for strength /rigidity.

I think you are on target with the not likely crucible steel and only testing would tell. I'm not
convinced it is Shear steel leaving that open. It's most likely Mechanically produced given the
thicker finer graduations going down the blade. I'm more certain now that what we see is in
the steel. The smoother area at the hilt faintly has grain (pattern) continuing back. So pattern is likely real and suppressed by burnishing.

The other blade Dharia Jambiya likely from the same previous owner is even crazier. Here is a picture after some prep. Shot under a lighted magnifier. A pattern continues back into the polished area I appreciate the help from all of you Steve