Damascus Knives
What is Damascus?
Pattern
welding or Damascening, the traditional method for making decorative
patterns on forged products, originated some hundred years before
Christ.
The process was first seen in Persia around 500
BC and used to produce welded blades. The laminate composition
of a Damascus
Steel blade is attained by alternating layers of soft malleable
wrought iron and a hardenable and temperable steel with a high
carbon content. The steel portion of the blade gives it strength
and the ability to hold a fine edge, while the iron provides elasticity
so it won't break when struck. The layering of the steel patterns
revealed by etching the surface has been refined into a decorative
art.
The
term Damascus Steel itself comes from the European Crusades who
came in contact with these superior weapons at the trading city
of Damascus. When the technology spread across Asia into India
it was called Wootz. The Japanese surpassed all other regions
with their refinement of lamination techniques. The Japanese have
a rich vocabulary that developed along with the development of
the manufacture of this steel, with up to 100 individual words
for pattern welding. One such term is mokume, "wood eye metal".
Today the pattern-welding technique is used for the most exclusive
knives
and swords. The material choice is limited to steel types
which are hot workable enough and possible to weld by forging.
Stainless grades or tool steels are very difficult to work in
this respect, and mainly only low alloy carbon steels have been
used.
[Top]
[More Articles]