unusual keris

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by satsujinken

so, real keris, old and repeated washing and staining corroded the metals and left it porous and spongy ?

Donny

Hi Donny,

I do not know what exacly caused this keris to end up like this but it definitely isn't repeated washing and staining. There are blades that are hundreds of years old and have seen maybe hundreds of washings and stainings and didn't turn into sponge.

More likely it was an unintentional accident related to some acid treatment. I assume that new blades are artificially aged using acid and this one may have been the result of such a treatment. Maybe there was the wrong acid used, or the wrong concentration, or the blade was left too long to soak.

Regards,

Marius

[Jean]

I cannot believe that an acid-treated iron blade (and looking solid) can float on water unless it is hollow?

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by Jean

I cannot believe that an acid-treated iron blade (and looking solid) can float on water unless it is hollow?

A normally acid treted iron blade won't float but one that has been turned into sponge will most likely float, at least for a while, until the air pockets within its structure get filled with water.

[satsujinken]

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

A normally acid treted iron blade won't float but one that has been turned into sponge will most likely float, at least for a while, until the air pockets within its structure get filled with water.

the funny thing is the blade is light but not that spongy. It is solid ... trust me it really felt like wood, well - until you put a magnet unto it

too bad we live so far apart ... I am dreaming of a gathering in a room with coffee and lots of blades :P



Donny

[David]

Originally Posted by satsujinken

too bad we live so far apart ... I am dreaming of a gathering in a room with coffee and lots of blades :P

I support that dream!

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by satsujinken

the funny thing is the blade is light but not that spongy. It is solid ... trust me it really felt like wood, well - until you put a magnet unto it.

Donny

Hello Donny,

If the blade weren't spongy it wouldn't float. So even if it is not plainly visible with naked eye under sufficient magnification, I am sure the structure would appear spongy.

[satsujinken]

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

Hello Donny,

If the blade weren't spongy it wouldn't float. So even if it is not plainly visible with naked eye under sufficient magnification, I am sure the structure would appear spongy.

I'll take your word for it, Marius
at least for now

I will study this intriguing piece further and post any updates here

Donny

[Pusaka]

It is quite strange that it should float on water even if it were spongy, and then why should it be spongy? Acid would waste the blade away unless the alloy was composed of two metals one which is dissolved by acid whilst the other resistant.

Wire wool scrubbing pads are as spongy as you can get yet they dont float on water.

[Pusaka]

Originally Posted by satsujinken

I'll take your word for it, Marius
at least for now

I will study this intriguing piece further and post any updates here

Donny

Have you tried to prick the blade with a needle to see how hard the material is?