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Post by Timo Nieminen on Oct 9, 2013 20:54:43 GMT
I'd call that a thick blade, for a tulwar. I have one of similar thickness, fullered blade. I'd call it a European-style blade (don't know if it is European, or if it's locally made, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's an imported blade).
So I measured a thin-bladed tulwar, less than 4mm all the way. Thickest point is maybe a foot along the blade; it's a tiny bit thinner, barely enough to measure, at the hilt, and tapers significantly towards the tip.
I was planning to sit down and measure a bunch of tulwars (haven't gotten around to it yet). They often have complex taper. Will be interesting to see how much variation there is.
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Post by randomnobody on Oct 11, 2013 1:13:49 GMT
Not a bad grab for 100 Euros. I've been looking at more Tulwar since this thread popped up, and stumbled over a few in the $150-250 USD range that aren't in awful shape and might be good starters, but as I'm trying to restore another antique currently my budget is strapped and I'm thinking I'll be skipping that step moving forward. I've seen some in pretty good condition ranging $300-500 USD, so I'll probably start there when I do finally start.
On that note, I do have the two "Khyber knives" yet that I should have cleaned up, too. Any of you fellas have a good idea on who can handle the less-eastern weapons? I've seen one or two names or businesses pop up in the UK and Europe, but that's a bit far from home for me. Can't seem to get anything otherwise. :?
Don't want to be the guy who just uses a piece of sandpaper on an antique, worthless or otherwise. :oops:
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Uhlan
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Post by Uhlan on Oct 11, 2013 5:45:39 GMT
Am I correct that you want to send them to a restoration service of some kind?
That will cost you.
I did some blades with, yes, sandpaper. Just used the katana polish method up to 600-800 grit, sandpaper on small wooden block to preserve the geometry and sharp lines, killed active rust in pits with the aluminium foil method and now they are in good shape. My French Artillery blade I did with steelwool first.
High quality, high priced antiques with some cultural importance attached, that's another ball game, but for blades like these Tulwar we are talking about I do the sandpaper thing when they need it. 2-3 hours work, tops and they have a new lease on life. With the Artillery blade I had more work with getting the machine marks out than anything else. Some git took it to the grinder. Looks rather splendid now.
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Post by randomnobody on Oct 11, 2013 11:36:04 GMT
Might be all right, I guess. Bear in mind I'm coming into these from the Japanese side where God himself forbids any but the most qualified ever touch abrasive to steel. I'm also not much of a do-it-yourself'er, and prefer to leave such things to handier folk.
I'm already trying to gather up about $1.5k to have an old wakizashi fixed up after a previous owner, somewhere down the line, apparently had a go themselves and did a nasty job. I'm just trying to avoid being that guy, myself. Money I can get, steady hands and patience I haven't had in years. :oops:
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Uhlan
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Post by Uhlan on Oct 11, 2013 15:41:12 GMT
I understand. Nihonto are a different story. Not only God forbits any but the most qualified ever touch abrasive to steel, but me too!  But Talwar of the level we talk about I find no problem with, though screwing up a blade however cheap is a no no to me. $1500 is serious money in my book. I hope you will get excellent results. Will you consider showing it to us? Edit: I have reread your post above mentioning the Kyber knives. Am I crazy to suggest you get in touch with one of the custom sword/knife people here on the forum, like John Ludomo ( spelled right?, I forget names) ? At least people like him know about steel, might have connections, might even take on such a job? |
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Post by randomnobody on Oct 11, 2013 18:16:39 GMT
I'll definitely share photos of before and after if I ever get decent weather to photograph outdoors. I've had the thing almost six years and have been on David Hofhine's waiting list for two or three rotations. I've had to pass my turns due to personal and family-related financial difficulties, but this time I'm almost my goal savings...and have just been hit with a late payment from the mortgage company. Neat.
May poll around to see if anybody would be willing to have a go for me, may just take it on myself. I'll be aiming to acquire better blades from here on to avoid the issue in future.
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Uhlan
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Post by Uhlan on Oct 11, 2013 21:34:14 GMT
I think you are absolutly right to get better blades in your situation.
Even some of the photo's of $300 to $500 blades I have seen, seem to show most of the work to make them half way decent and remove the active rust was already done.
Sorry to hear about the mortgage compagny. I sometimes have the feeling people at the recieving end seem to smell one has a little extra cash. Creepy sometimes. Hope you can sort things out to your advantage.
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