I was bumping around on Oriental Arms when I came across the blade pictured below. If anyone has any information on the processes used to get that type of gold inlay I'd love to hear them.

Everything I've been able to find on the subject has a flush finish, where as this appears to be raised.

Thank you for looking!
~Adam
[ Linked Image ]

I belive, this involves hammering the gold wire into the grooves made on the surface of the blade - so if the maker uses slightlylarger diameter wire, it should end up as somewhat rised design instead of beeing flush.

Could this have anything to do with the difference in the properties of the metals used? I am not familiar with wearing patterns of blade when such techniques are involved.

The article in the link below shows the various ways inlay was performed in great detail:
http://www.vikingsword.com/ethsword/beallcollection.pdf

Included in the article are three ways to apply koftgari (scroll down to page 39, be sure also to check the earlier pages where great detailed photos and descriptions are given), one of which matches the raised inlays as in your example.

Thank you very much, Jeroen.
That's exactly what I was looking for. :D

Any other insights are still very much welcome!

hey Adam,

By Patrik Barta
http://www.templ.net/english/making-decoration.php

If I can advise you: do small undercuts steel engraving.
When the wire is hammered into hard coming out here.
This way, it is not necessary denting the wire above. Attaches itself below. ;)

Ciao
Maurizio

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