Back فولاذ دمشقي Arabic Acer de Damasc Catalan Damascénská ocel Czech Damascering Danish Damaszener Stahl German Damaska ŝtalo Esperanto Acero de Damasco Spanish Damaskuse teras Estonian Damaskoko altzairu Basque فولاد دمشق Persian
Damascus steel (Arabic: فولاذ دمشقي) refers to the high carbon crucible steel of the blades of historical swords forged using the wootz process in the Near East, characterized by distinctive patterns of banding and mottling reminiscent of flowing water, sometimes in a "ladder" or "rose" pattern. "Damascus steel" developed a high reputation for being tough, resistant to shattering, and capable of being honed to a sharp, resilient edge.[1]
There is now a general agreement that although the term "Damascus steel" traces its roots to the medieval city of Damascus, Syria, perhaps as an early example of branding, that many of the swords themselves, or at least the steel ingots from which they were forged, were imported from Southern India, where the steel making techniques used were first developed. [2][3] or Khorasan, Iran.[4]
Modern steelmakers and metallurgists have studied medieval "Damascus steel" extensively, developing theories on how it was made, and why its use died out by the late 19th century. Modern reproductions can use the term "Damascene", or call themselves "Damascus steel", and many use similar techniques of lamination, banding, and patterning.
- ^ Figiel, Leo S. (1991). On Damascus Steel. Atlantis Arts Press. pp. 10–11. ISBN 978-0-9628711-0-8.
- ^ https://www.forbesindia.com/blog/technology/the-mystery-of-the-damascus-sword-and-indias-materials-heritage/ [bare URL]
- ^ The Sword and the Crucible: A History of the Metallurgy of European Swords Up to the 16th Century, Alan R. Williams (2012). The Sword and the Crucible. Brill. p. 30. ISBN 9789004227835.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Bronson, Bennet (1986). "The making and selling of wootz, a crucible steel of India". Archeomaterials. 1: 1. S2CID 111606783.