[Kai Lawson]

Does anyone have any data on the most common blade inlay metals from the 11th-12th century? Additionally, does anyone have any information or sources for making relatively durable faux-inlay?

-My understanding is that iron, followed by cupric alloys (straight copper, latten, etc...) were the most common inlay materials. How common were silver or gold?

-I have seen electroplating and circuit printing, and have seen leafing and foiling videos, but all of those are fairly expensive/specialist/fragile. I know Albion does some etching and 'gilding' for the marks on their Ljubliana blades, but I have no information of what the 'gilding' is. I'm assuming that the etching is the same process used for the maker's marks. Can anyone confirm this, or clarify what type of gilding is used? Electroplating?

[Jeremy V. Krause]

In the 11-12th c. you see broad pattern-welded lettering "Ulfberhts, Ingelrii" along with or followed by non-pattern-welded smaller "neater" iron lettering such as GECILINMEFECIT, NISOMEFECIT, swords.

You also see some silver inlay here and there. I do not believe you see much copper, latter, or gold type inlays in this period based on period examples.

The inlay technique for iron "forge welding" is quite a bit different and arguably more difficult than that of silver, or copper/latten/gold which are inlayed on the cold blade following forging.

I don't know much about the methods of faux inlay- but I do know I don't like the results when I see it. Even Albion's inlay doesn't look quite right.