Yatagan blade, any info welcome.

C4RL · 3rd September 2023, 07:33 PM

Hello All, this is my first post seeking information from the knowledgeable folks on here. 👍
This is a Yatagan blade (that much I know!) that I pulled out of a house clearance trash bin many years ago. It was a lump of rust with the remainder of a horn handle in a terrible split & hairy state pushed off the blade with rust.

There was a brass embossed typical triangle on one side & the frayed remains of some fine brass wire, knowing nothing at the time (20 years ago) I sanded it by hand & presumed it was carbon steel, & made the oak handle you now see.

Roll on another 15 years or so & I read something that made me wonder if it might be pattern welded, a quick try with Ferric Cloride looked promising so after a few ferric & vinegar soaks in a bent pvc pipe this is where I am.

Please forgive the handle, but to be honest the original was ruined & if I hadn’t picked it up it would be in a land fill now!
Any info welcome.

Thanks.

Ian · 4th September 2023, 05:06 AM

Hi Carl,

The central pattern on your blade resembles "Turkish ribbon," which has been discussed elsewhere on the Ethnographic Forum. Your pictures are very large. I will resize them. Perhaps you could post smaller ones next time so that they will fit on a single screen rather than having to scroll across. The recommended file sizes are listed in the "Manage Attachments" section of the Thread Post page.

This looks like a very good save. Nice old blade. BTW, I think the handle looks fine and appropriate for an old garbage bin find.

Ian

C4RL · 4th September 2023, 10:49 AM

Thank's for your reply Ian, and sorry about the large images, I made the mistake of linking them which I realised afterwards isn't appropriate! Sorry.

I shall have a search for "Turkish ribbon". Thank you.

Battara · 5th September 2023, 12:58 AM

Oh this Turkish blade is wonderful. The only addition I would make is that this could come from Turkey proper.

C4RL · 5th September 2023, 08:53 AM

Thank you Battara.

After reading up on Turkish ribbon I have a question, I understand the stacking of the twisted bars & my blade has four quite distinct ones along the centre, but what is the composition of the bars that make the cutting edge & spine?

Having looked at other blades of similar construction the spine & edge bars look much plainer, am I correct in assuming this is welded up from the same steel/iron as the pattern bars but a much finer "mix"?

Because my blade was so rusty & required a lot of etching I'm guessing it's this that is showing as fine mix of random & some straighter lines?

Battara · 9th September 2023, 01:23 AM

I would say yes to your question. In fact, it makes sense that it would be more horizontal laminations for stiffness and hardened steel (not iron).

C4RL · 13th September 2023, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

I would say yes to your question. In fact, it makes sense that it would be more horizontal laminations for stiffness and hardened steel (not iron).

Thank you.

3rd September 2023, 07:33 PM	#1
C4RL Member Join Date: Sep 2023 Posts: 41	Yatagan blade, any info welcome. Hello All, this is my first post seeking information from the knowledgeable folks on here. 👍 This is a Yatagan blade (that much I know!) that I pulled out of a house clearance trash bin many years ago. It was a lump of rust with the remainder of a horn handle in a terrible split & hairy state pushed off the blade with rust. There was a brass embossed typical triangle on one side & the frayed remains of some fine brass wire, knowing nothing at the time (20 years ago) I sanded it by hand & presumed it was carbon steel, & made the oak handle you now see. Roll on another 15 years or so & I read something that made me wonder if it might be pattern welded, a quick try with Ferric Cloride looked promising so after a few ferric & vinegar soaks in a bent pvc pipe this is where I am. Please forgive the handle, but to be honest the original was ruined & if I hadn’t picked it up it would be in a land fill now! Any info welcome. Thanks. Attached Images Last edited by Ian; 4th September 2023 at 05:16 AM.

4th September 2023, 05:06 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,065	Hi Carl, The central pattern on your blade resembles "Turkish ribbon," which has been discussed elsewhere on the Ethnographic Forum. Your pictures are very large. I will resize them. Perhaps you could post smaller ones next time so that they will fit on a single screen rather than having to scroll across. The recommended file sizes are listed in the "Manage Attachments" section of the Thread Post page. This looks like a very good save. Nice old blade. BTW, I think the handle looks fine and appropriate for an old garbage bin find. Ian Last edited by Ian; 4th September 2023 at 05:19 AM.

4th September 2023, 10:49 AM	#3
C4RL Member Join Date: Sep 2023 Posts: 41	Thank's for your reply Ian, and sorry about the large images, I made the mistake of linking them which I realised afterwards isn't appropriate! Sorry. I shall have a search for "Turkish ribbon". Thank you.

5th September 2023, 12:58 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,143	Oh this Turkish blade is wonderful. The only addition I would make is that this could come from Turkey proper.

5th September 2023, 08:53 AM	#5
C4RL Member Join Date: Sep 2023 Posts: 41	Thank you Battara. After reading up on Turkish ribbon I have a question, I understand the stacking of the twisted bars & my blade has four quite distinct ones along the centre, but what is the composition of the bars that make the cutting edge & spine? Having looked at other blades of similar construction the spine & edge bars look much plainer, am I correct in assuming this is welded up from the same steel/iron as the pattern bars but a much finer "mix"? Because my blade was so rusty & required a lot of etching I'm guessing it's this that is showing as fine mix of random & some straighter lines?

9th September 2023, 01:23 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,143	I would say yes to your question. In fact, it makes sense that it would be more horizontal laminations for stiffness and hardened steel (not iron).