what mandau is this?

[Battara]

I hate to disagree with Ian and Maurice, but I don't believe that the brass/bronze can be made during the forging process. Forging steel has to be done at such high temperatures that the bronze/brass material would be molten. It is too soft for this process, and therefore must be inserted after the steel forging process. Only then can one engrave holes or grooves to which the bronze/brass can be hammered.

[Ian]

Jose:

Yes, you are correct, as usual, about the decoration of these blades. What I should have said was that the dots and other brass ornaments are placed there at the time the blade is manufactured/forged (not during the actual forging process). Similarly, the file and chisel work are done by a skilled metal worker at the same time. So basically all of the blade's decoration is done before the hilt is attached and the sword is used.

Ian.

Originally Posted by Battara

I hate to disagree with Ian and Maurice, but I don't believe that the brass/bronze can be made during the forging process. Forging steel has to be done at such high temperatures that the bronze/brass material would be molten. It is too soft for this process, and therefore must be inserted after the steel forging process. Only then can one engrave holes or grooves to which the bronze/brass can be hammered.

[Maurice]

Originally Posted by Battara

I hate to disagree with Ian and Maurice, but I don't believe that the brass/bronze can be made during the forging process. Forging steel has to be done at such high temperatures that the bronze/brass material would be molten. It is too soft for this process, and therefore must be inserted after the steel forging process. Only then can one engrave holes or grooves to which the bronze/brass can be hammered.

Yes Jose you are right, I expressed wrongly here and there the misunderstanding began. I meant when "producing" a blade. The holes are made and after the forging proces, and than filled with brass.
When "deliver" the blade to the new owner, the inlay is allready there, and not done afterwards when heads had been taken.
Sorry for the misunderstanding.

PS you can find this in clear photos when such blade is in progress in the Nieuwenhuis "bible".