long persian dagger / wootz blade ?

[mariusgmioc]

Your Pesh-kabz is, in my opinion, north Indian from early 19th century and certainly wootz. For etching, you can find a lot of information on this forum. I documented the process step by step.
Congratulations for such a nice piece!

[shayde78]

Looks like very nice crystalline wootz. I echo what the others have said regarding age. Nice to have the scabbard, too. Be sure to condition that, as well.

[chiefheadknocker]

Originally Posted by shayde78

Looks like very nice crystalline wootz. I echo what the others have said regarding age. Nice to have the scabbard, too. Be sure to condition that, as well.

Thanks for your reply , im not sure what to do with the scabbard it would take very thin leather to recover it , maybe I could use a velvet instead ?

[Kmaddock]

In my opinion

leave scabbard as is
It is an old knife that will I assume never be used as a knife nor carried so no need to make the scabbard what it isn’t also if you resell later the scabbard will look new and bring age of blade into question

Cleaning the blade and etching it will enhance though and be fully reversible.
Did you add washing up liquid to the hot vinegar as it breaks up surface tension in the vinegar and leads to a more even spread of liquid on the blade

Ps lovely item

Regards
Ken

[chiefheadknocker]

Originally Posted by Kmaddock

In my opinion

leave scabbard as is
It is an old knife that will I assume never be used as a knife nor carried so no need to make the scabbard what it isn’t also if you resell later the scabbard will look new and bring age of blade into question

Cleaning the blade and etching it will enhance though and be fully reversible.
Did you add washing up liquid to the hot vinegar as it breaks up surface tension in the vinegar and leads to a more even spread of liquid on the blade

Ps lovely item

Regards
Ken

Hi ken ,thanks for your tip on using washing up liquid ,I might give it a go though im a little nervous about trying to etch it , I think I also agree about the scabbard , it wouldn't match right with brand new leather

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by chiefheadknocker

Hi ken ,thanks for your tip on using washing up liquid ,I might give it a go though im a little nervous about trying to etch it , I think I also agree about the scabbard , it wouldn't match right with brand new leather

You are talking about etchinng the blade, but did you read the postings here about etching? Did you find my step by step guide?

As with the scabbard, in my oppinion any arrempt ti "repair" it will decrease it's value... significantly. You may as well have a completely new scabbard, bright and shiny, made for the knife, but it's historic value will be nothing.

[ALEX]

How about restoring the scabbard with antique/19th C silk or leather?

[chiefheadknocker]

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

You are talking about etchinng the blade, but did you read the postings here about etching? Did you find my step by step guide?

As with the scabbard, in my oppinion any arrempt ti "repair" it will decrease it's value... significantly. You may as well have a completely new scabbard, bright and shiny, made for the knife, but it's historic value will be nothing.

Hi , I have just read your step by step guide ,that's very helpful .
Thankyou

[ALEX]

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

Your Pesh-kabz is, in my opinion, north Indian from early 19th century and certainly wootz. For etching, you can find a lot of information on this forum. I documented the process step by step.
Congratulations for such a nice piece!

Agree with Marius,
A lovely Pesh-Kabz, wootz blade and ivory handle. As Martin noted, could well be hippo, hard to tell the difference by photos. A Fine dagger!!!

[asomotif]

Originally Posted by ALEX

could well be hippo, hard to tell the difference by photos. A Fine dagger!!!

Maybe sperm whale

some pictures with the cellphone of the ivory would surely help

[T. Koch]

Hi,

I would need better pics to be certain, but it definitely looks like elephant ivory. This pattern shows, because the piece is cut so it covers both the bark and core ivory of the tusk. Bark and core material often color differently with time, because of their slightly different composition.

- Beautful knife!

Cheers, Thor

[chiefheadknocker]

I have taken a few close up pics of the handle hope this will help decide what its made from

[T. Koch]

Yup, it's elephant.

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by chiefheadknocker

I have taken a few close up pics of the handle hope this will help decide what its made from

In the photo of the tip of the pommel you can see a very fine & subtle criss-cross structure. Those are the "Schreger Lines" and are characteristic only to elephant and mammouth ivory.

[chiefheadknocker]

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

In the photo of the tip of the pommel you can see a very fine & subtle criss-cross structure. Those are the "Schreger Lines" and are characteristic only to elephant and mammouth ivory.

That's interesting to know ,thankyou