03-22-2013, 06:03 AM
Hi, Michael
As you noticed from my above post, and the early Sarmatian swords shown, some steppe blacksmiths were not only making weapons... they were artists. It takes a good knowledge of metalurgy to be an excellent swordsmith, an actual welder; and once you have the reputation, you no longer find time to produce mundane items. :-)
Unfortunately, there are no Roman references that describe the technique. Pliny does mention that the "best iron' (sword blade blanks?) "arrives upon camels from the east."
As you noticed from my above post, and the early Sarmatian swords shown, some steppe blacksmiths were not only making weapons... they were artists. It takes a good knowledge of metalurgy to be an excellent swordsmith, an actual welder; and once you have the reputation, you no longer find time to produce mundane items. :-)
Unfortunately, there are no Roman references that describe the technique. Pliny does mention that the "best iron' (sword blade blanks?) "arrives upon camels from the east."
Alan J. Campbell
member of Legio III Cyrenaica and the Uncouth Barbarians
Author of:
The Demon's Door Bolt (2011)
Forging the Blade (2012)
"It's good to be king. Even when you're dead!"
Old Yuezhi/Pazyrk proverb
member of Legio III Cyrenaica and the Uncouth Barbarians
Author of:
The Demon's Door Bolt (2011)
Forging the Blade (2012)
"It's good to be king. Even when you're dead!"
Old Yuezhi/Pazyrk proverb
