Hand Engraving Metal

What's the black stuff in my teapot?

After my grandmother passed away, I was given one of her teapots. It's a metal teapot, but what it's made out of, I have no idea. It's not heavy enough to be one of her iron teapots, but it's silver in colour and has pretty flowers engraved all over it.

But the bottom is covered in black/brown stuff? I've tried scrubbing it off, but it's hard when my hand barely fits in there. Most of it's gone now though.

Back to the point - does anyone know what it is, and if it's dangerous to my health at all? Is it like the strange stuff that hides in the bottom of jugs & kettles?

Don't worry its just the Tannins from the tea. Without the development of the tannins, the tea would lack colour and its characteristic flavour. They build up over time and make the surface of the pot go black. It will also do the same thing to the inside of cups. Tannins are also used as a type of natural dye. Fabric can be soaked in cold tea to give it a light brown colour. To remove the dark tannin stain from your pot just fill it with boiling water from your kettle and pour some white vinegar in it, then leave it sit for a while. It will make it disappear. You may have to do it twice depending on how much build up is on the pot. I wouldn't use bleach or anything like that as bleach is chemical based and will alter the taste of your tea. Dont worry vinegar will do the trick and its safe and cheap

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Cheaney Knife Making 1 of 3 - The Art of and How to Make Handmade Knives

I bought a sword and would like to know if it's worth any thing and how much?

It is a curved blade about 30 1/2 inches long to hand grip which is polished metal and then a wood handel with black leather scabbard both have a engraved square about 1" and say's INDIA.

Pictures would help.

If you're lucky, it might be an antique Indian tulwar, which would be worth something. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talwar

It's more likely to be what is often called a "wallhanger." This means a sword-like object that is meant to be hung on a wall, and should not be used for anything other than display. If the blade is bright and silvery, it is made of stainless steel, which definitely means it is a wallhanger. Stainless is great for pocket knives and kitchen cutlery, but it is too brittle for a sword.