Unusual Etch on a Moro Blade

Spunjer · 1st June 2012, 03:01 PM

incidentally i was watching "Weapon Masters" last night and the episode was "Katana". it showed how the japanese made their famous sword. very fascinating, to say the least!

ThePepperSkull · 6th June 2012, 08:41 PM

Is the second configuration the type of welded edge we see on twisctore blades?

delor · 8th June 2012, 10:18 PM

Twisted and forge welded bars can be used in any kind of blade construction. Nevertheless, the second type of construction is more likely to be used for twisted core, because it allows the removal of a lot of material from each side of the blade without impinging the construction itself.

By the way, to obtain a twisted "stars" pattern (by example like the turkish ribbon), one will have to :
- forge weld a laminated bar,
- twist the bar
- reforge it to square section
- forge weld it within the whole blade construction (there may be more than only one twisted bar...)
- grind to remove approximatively 1/3 of the material from each side of the blade in order to reach the twisted stars pattern which lays inside the bar.

So, you are right, the most usual construction will be made of the welding of a single bar or multi-bars core with separate edges.

MichaelZWilliamson · 12th November 2018, 04:35 AM

I realize this is a very old thread.

Mild acid followed by boiling water is one of the techniques for cold rust bluing, typically used for double shotguns. Acid, boiling water, wire brushing, repeat 8-10 times will give you a deep, blue-black finish.

So the vinegar followed by hot water came close to almost performing the first step.

Battara · 13th November 2018, 03:11 AM

The only thing is that the original blades that survived with their original etch were not blue but brownish. In fact, Moros used this old formula:

1. cover the cleaned blade with citrus juice (like calamansee, a type of lime)

2. place in the hot sunlight

3. wait

4. wash off with water

The result was a grey to brownish color on the laminations of the blade. Sounds similar.

kino · 14th November 2018, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

In fact, Moros used this old formula:

1. cover the cleaned blade with citrus juice (like calamansee, a type of lime)

I had the impression that Iba / balimbi /kamias or carambola was used for etching.

Battara · 14th November 2018, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kino

I had the impression that Iba / balimbi /kamias or carambola was used for etching.

I was told once that calamansi was also used, but the others make sense too.

1st June 2012, 03:01 PM	#1
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	incidentally i was watching "Weapon Masters" last night and the episode was "Katana". it showed how the japanese made their famous sword. very fascinating, to say the least!

6th June 2012, 08:41 PM	#2
ThePepperSkull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 338	Is the second configuration the type of welded edge we see on twisctore blades?

8th June 2012, 10:18 PM	#3
delor Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Marseille - France Posts: 73	Twisted and forge welded bars can be used in any kind of blade construction. Nevertheless, the second type of construction is more likely to be used for twisted core, because it allows the removal of a lot of material from each side of the blade without impinging the construction itself. By the way, to obtain a twisted "stars" pattern (by example like the turkish ribbon), one will have to : - forge weld a laminated bar, - twist the bar - reforge it to square section - forge weld it within the whole blade construction (there may be more than only one twisted bar...) - grind to remove approximatively 1/3 of the material from each side of the blade in order to reach the twisted stars pattern which lays inside the bar. So, you are right, the most usual construction will be made of the welding of a single bar or multi-bars core with separate edges.

12th November 2018, 04:35 AM	#4
MichaelZWilliamson Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Posts: 50	I realize this is a very old thread. Mild acid followed by boiling water is one of the techniques for cold rust bluing, typically used for double shotguns. Acid, boiling water, wire brushing, repeat 8-10 times will give you a deep, blue-black finish. So the vinegar followed by hot water came close to almost performing the first step.

13th November 2018, 03:11 AM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,270	The only thing is that the original blades that survived with their original etch were not blue but brownish. In fact, Moros used this old formula: 1. cover the cleaned blade with citrus juice (like calamansee, a type of lime) 2. place in the hot sunlight 3. wait 4. wash off with water The result was a grey to brownish color on the laminations of the blade. Sounds similar.