07-02-2007, 03:03 PM
Quote:Steve,
the articles are only in German, the article on the Titelberg dagger is published in "JRMES 12/13 2001/2002 p75-84 "
the Oberaden dagger, its just the reflection of the spotlights that gives the silver color
yes, the color is a result of the etching with the alcoholic nitric acid to visualize the layers of steel and iron as explained on the first page by others , the use of an other acid formulation will give a different result as used by the Damast smiths to bring out the pattern in their work, where only the iron is etched
the last question is answered by Tony
an other interesting observation on the two blades is that
the Haltern blade is completely quench and tempered in oil, this give it a middle hardness and flexibility
the Oberaden blade has only the cutting edges quench in water what makes the edges hard and leave the core softer and flexible.
this means that the smiths new very well what they where doing
"Metallkundliche Untersuchungen an Klingen von zwei römischen Dolchen-D. Horstmann 1995"
Cheers
Luc
Excellent, thanks.
Steve
