Khanda,what is it?

Jens Nordlunde · 22nd May 2006, 02:20 PM

Ariel, your tulwar sounds like a bit of a puzzle, but it is true, like you write, that not all the swords we see, where the blades and hilts don’t seem to fit, were brought together recently, many of them were brought together a long time ago.

Will, congratulations with the etching, it looks fine to me. Is the pattern dark or light? It is hard to see on the picture.

William.m · 25th May 2006, 05:29 PM

Hello again!

Okay I gave the sword another light wash this morning and here are the results. Now that we know that the blade is made from wootz steel, is there anything else you can tell me about the possible history of this blade, as I would love to know! Cheers!

ariel · 25th May 2006, 09:07 PM

I like the results of your etching process.
Can you give step-by-step recipe?

William.m · 26th May 2006, 11:15 AM

Sure,

Firstly I used a little bowl with a lid to contain the hot solution. The solution itself was a mixture of vinegar, lemon juice and a spot of dishwasher soap.

I don't normally use lemon juice but I was running very low on vinegar. The dishwasher soap is there to break up the surface tension in the solution so you really need a very small amount so that you do not reduce the strength of the solution.

After you have made the mixture heat it up, I use the microwave as it only takes a few seconds.

Make sure that the blade itself is hot, I use either the flame hob or place the blade on top of a metal radiator.

One both are hot, then using whatever you want, cover the blade in the solution. You will have to keep heating up the solution and re-applying as having a hot solution is very important to the success of the etch. Once you have finished neutralise the acid. I use baking powder.
Polish the blade using a non-abrasive polish.

Thats about it really, the longer you do it for the more prominant it will become, but if you etch for too long the pattern will become muddy.

...looks like I went on for a bit there... well thats something for you beginners out there.

Will

22nd May 2006, 02:20 PM	#1
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Ariel, your tulwar sounds like a bit of a puzzle, but it is true, like you write, that not all the swords we see, where the blades and hilts don’t seem to fit, were brought together recently, many of them were brought together a long time ago. Will, congratulations with the etching, it looks fine to me. Is the pattern dark or light? It is hard to see on the picture.

25th May 2006, 05:29 PM	#2
William.m Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: England Posts: 104	Hello again! Okay I gave the sword another light wash this morning and here are the results. Now that we know that the blade is made from wootz steel, is there anything else you can tell me about the possible history of this blade, as I would love to know! Cheers!

25th May 2006, 09:07 PM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I like the results of your etching process. Can you give step-by-step recipe?

26th May 2006, 11:15 AM	#4
William.m Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: England Posts: 104	Sure, Firstly I used a little bowl with a lid to contain the hot solution. The solution itself was a mixture of vinegar, lemon juice and a spot of dishwasher soap. I don't normally use lemon juice but I was running very low on vinegar. The dishwasher soap is there to break up the surface tension in the solution so you really need a very small amount so that you do not reduce the strength of the solution. After you have made the mixture heat it up, I use the microwave as it only takes a few seconds. Make sure that the blade itself is hot, I use either the flame hob or place the blade on top of a metal radiator. One both are hot, then using whatever you want, cover the blade in the solution. You will have to keep heating up the solution and re-applying as having a hot solution is very important to the success of the etch. Once you have finished neutralise the acid. I use baking powder. Polish the blade using a non-abrasive polish. Thats about it really, the longer you do it for the more prominant it will become, but if you etch for too long the pattern will become muddy. ...looks like I went on for a bit there... well thats something for you beginners out there. Will