How do you identify Wootz?

[arabinovici]

I have a knife that I believe is made of Wootz. I read some articles but I was wondering if anyone has knowledge of this. Please see image below.

 

[jfk1110]

Aside from testing to see if the material is ancient wootz there was only one pair of gentlemen, Al Pendray & J. .D Verhoeven who managed a chemistry match and produced a crucible steel similar to wootz......Looks aren't going to verify it...... This is what I remember offhand..

 

[polish avenger]

How about a picture of the whole knife?
It may be of no help, but might provide context.

 

[Locutus D'Borg]

Larrin

 

[arabinovici]

Aside from testing to see if the material is ancient wootz there was only one pair of gentlemen, Al Pendray & J. .D Verhoeven who managed a chemistry match and produced a crucible steel similar to wootz......Looks aren't going to verify it...... This is what I remember offhand..

Thanks for the information.

 

[arabinovici]

Here is a picture of the whole knife.

 

[The Mastiff]

Don't know why you think it's wootz and not someones backyard damascus that is not very well made. Look at all that splitting in the blade. It's not something I would feel good about using . Pakistan made?

 

[arabinovici]

Don't know why you think it's wootz and not someones backyard damascus that is not very well made. Look at all that splitting in the blade. It's not something I would feel good about using . Pakistan

 

[fishface5]

It does look like wootz to me but I'm no expert. Damascus generally has a more consistent pattern to it. It could also be faux wootz, I e. An etched pattern on regular steel, but the only way to know that would be to polish off the etch, then re-etch it (try strong coffee) and see if the pattern reappears.

 

[arabinovici]

It does look like wootz to me but I'm no expert. Damascus generally has a more consistent pattern to it. It could also be faux wootz, I e. An etched pattern on regular steel, but the only way to know that would be to polish off the etch, then re-etch it (try strong coffee) and see if the pattern reappears.

Thanks for the information. I was told by the person who gave it to me that it might be Wootz but I really have no idea. It was purchased about 25 years ago, not by me, at the New York custom knife show.

 

[Larrin]

There’s no maker’s mark?

 

[arabinovici]

There’s no maker’s mark?

No markings at all.

 

[knarfeng]

The knives that I have seen advertised as made from Wootz steel are well made. The makers pay as much attention to forming the knife as they do to making the steel. That knife does not look well made to me. No matter what the steel looks like, the knife belies that heritage.

 

[Arathol]

Thanks for the information. I was told by the person who gave it to me that it might be Wootz but I really have no idea. It was purchased about 25 years ago, not by me, at the New York custom knife show.

Was it purchased as a new knife? It has the look of an old blade thats been sharpened quite a bit over many years. Whats left is actually pretty similar to a Turkish kard. If it is an old blade its quite possible its wootz steel.

 

[fishface5]

Ditto the above

 

[eveled]

Was it a Chef knife? Or is it close to its original form?

 

[arabinovici]

Was it purchased as a new knife? It has the look of an old blade thats been sharpened quite a bit over many years. Whats left is actually pretty similar to a Turkish kard. If it is an old blade its quite possible its wootz steel.i

No, it wasn’t purchased as a new knife. It has definitely been sharpened several times.

 

[arabinovici]

Was it a Chef knife? Or is it close to its original form?

I’m not sure but I don’t think it was a chef knife.

 

[arabinovici]

Thank you all for the the help.

 

[The Zieg]

I have a knife that I believe is made of Wootz. I read some articles but I was wondering if anyone has knowledge of this. Please see image below. View attachment 2259045

This looks likely to me.

Zieg