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Traditional Damascus steel, also known as
Pattern Weld, Damascene, or Damast, was first produced over two thousand
years ago. It has lived in legend and is referred to as the steel of the
ancients.
Damascus swords and knives dominated the
weapon industry from the Iron Age to the Viking age. Alexander the Great was
said to have a Damascus sword, and even Aristotle commented on the high
quality of the Damascus steel blade. Its origins can be traced back as far
as 500 A.D. In India, it was called Telangana, Wootz or Ukku steel. It then
found its way to Damascus, Syria, which was the center of trade in that
region for war equipment such as knives, swords and armor.
However, Damascus steel had been a lost
technology from the early 1700's up until World War II. It again has gained
popularity since the mid 1970's.
Damascus steel combines low and high
carbon steels. These steels are folded and forge welded together. The
fold-forge cycle is repeated until a large number of layers is obtained. It
is then etched to bring out the beautiful grain pattern. This process
produces blades with extraordinary toughness and edge-holding ability. The
edge of a Damascus blade contains tiny saw-tooth carbides which enables the
blade to cut, even if it feels dull to the touch. The flexibility of
Damascus is superb. Every piece of Damascus steel is as unique as a finger
print.
.....There has been a recent rise of
interest in Damascus steel since its production techniques and blade
qualities have been "re-discovered".
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