Well over two thousand years ago, metalsmiths in southern India developed a steel known as Wootz. They used magnetite ores and readily available sources of carbon and then a lot of skilled hard work to make steel with prominent carbide patterns.
This was elevated further if they then used an acid to etch the steel after finishing their blades. The strength and toughness of their work, and the sharpness and durability of their edges meant that soon the technique spread around the known world. From the Romans to the Chinese, everyone was getting in on the act. As with so many things in the world of knife-making, there are theories aplenty as to why we came to know this as Damascus steel, but as good a one as any is that in European minds the blades became most strongly associated with the eponymous city of the Levant.
The key point here is that the pattern was a by-product of the quest to make a wonderful blade. For sure, the more skilled makers would have taken an interest in making their patterns as aesthetically pleasing as possible, but not at the expense of the quality of their function. What we call Damascus today is a very different beast indeed, ranging from works of great beauty to charlatanry of the highest order.
Both these steels will react to the final etching solution in different ways, leaving a pattern determined by the method used to forge the two metals together. This is distinct from San Mai β or laminated steel β where the piece of metal that forms the cutting edge is sandwiched between other materials. Often this production is for added protection, ease of working, or just for the visual appeal.
Most knives being offered on the internet as Damascus are in fact laminated. In fact, unless the welding has been undertaken with the very highest levels of attention to detail and patience, the possible presence of impurities and micro-fissures may in fact weaken the blade, and in particular the cutting edge.
