old kukri, damascus? what pattern?

Rick · 29th May 2006, 11:55 PM

Start with hot vinegar solution with a drop of soap.
Have the blade hot too ; Email or PM William M. ; he seems to have it down .

Use the weakest solution possible at first ; but you also may want to consider ; is showing the forge pattern important to Gurkhas or is a high polish what is desired within the culture .

spiral · 30th May 2006, 12:13 AM

Thanks Rick, I understand the tecniques with vinigar, lemon, lime etc. its the practical expierience I lack! Sorry my wording was not clear.

Originaly when made i am sure the patterns were shown.

When ones sees the skill & decoration in the oldest kukri & thier scabbards I think it corrobarates the love of art, style, beuty etc.

And certanly The modern dealers,Kami & collectors in Nepal like them patterned.

I think the loss off pattern was the ingnorance of the British soldiers who brought them back as first trophys & then as battle field pick ups from fallen comrades, or thier childrens , grandchildren etc. who inherited them, who were not able to clean or preserve & reshow the true nature of the laminated patterns. {Of course British Officers often bought or were gifted kukris historicaly as well.}

Lots of lemon & limes in Nepal.

Spiral

Battara · 31st May 2006, 01:38 AM

Spiral,

Victorians were nortorious for wanting shiny blades and would not only polish them to appear bright, but they would even polish out any inlay that a blade might have just to be shiny.

Unfortunately, Americans did this as well. There are many kukris as you know that are pattern welded but have not been kept in this condition. Nice patterning and the Indians were experts on pattern welding as well wootz.

29th May 2006, 11:55 PM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Start with hot vinegar solution with a drop of soap. Have the blade hot too ; Email or PM William M. ; he seems to have it down . Use the weakest solution possible at first ; but you also may want to consider ; is showing the forge pattern important to Gurkhas or is a high polish what is desired within the culture .

30th May 2006, 12:13 AM	#2
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Thanks Rick, I understand the tecniques with vinigar, lemon, lime etc. its the practical expierience I lack! Sorry my wording was not clear. Originaly when made i am sure the patterns were shown. When ones sees the skill & decoration in the oldest kukri & thier scabbards I think it corrobarates the love of art, style, beuty etc. And certanly The modern dealers,Kami & collectors in Nepal like them patterned. I think the loss off pattern was the ingnorance of the British soldiers who brought them back as first trophys & then as battle field pick ups from fallen comrades, or thier childrens , grandchildren etc. who inherited them, who were not able to clean or preserve & reshow the true nature of the laminated patterns. {Of course British Officers often bought or were gifted kukris historicaly as well.} Lots of lemon & limes in Nepal. Spiral

31st May 2006, 01:38 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Spiral, Victorians were nortorious for wanting shiny blades and would not only polish them to appear bright, but they would even polish out any inlay that a blade might have just to be shiny. Unfortunately, Americans did this as well. There are many kukris as you know that are pattern welded but have not been kept in this condition. Nice patterning and the Indians were experts on pattern welding as well wootz.