In general, Damascus steel is a specially made steel that is manufactured using many layers of steel (includes carbon steel and high carbon stainless steel). Damascus steels have a wavy pattern that is very beautiful to look at.
What Is Damascus Steel Used For?
From the earliest times of the invention of Damascus Steel until a few centuries ago, it was primarily used for making war swords.
However, it is currently being used to make ornaments, jewelry, cookware, and mainly for outdoor and kitchen knives.
Some Damascus steel kitchen knives that I have reviewed –
- Best Damascus Steak Knife
- Best Damascus Cleaver
- Best Damascus Chef Knife Under $200
- Best Damascus Paring Knives
A Legacy of Damascus Steel
With its tales of antiquity, its meticulous creation, and its glorious appearance, Damascus steel has enticed knife-lovers for many generations.
Damascus steel can be traced back to approximately 300 BC when Indian craftsmen discovered how to produce carbon-infused steel used to create swords whose strength surpassed that of their iron counterparts.
The sword-smiths carefully worked the new steel into a practical, yet beautiful weapon through a lengthy forging process.
Legend tells of these blades bending into a right angle and rebounding, or striking and slicing through an opponent’s sword—all without snapping. It is not surprising that these renowned swords require a special genesis.
Yes, the process for forging a Damascus steel full tang or half tang knife is unique; it is not suited for the assembly line. The craftsman must select, combine, and fold various high-carbon steels into a layered billet.
The materials used to create the billet determine the qualities of the knife and are often purposely selected with the owner in mind.
Consequently, modern artisans can never fully replicate the strength and flexibility of the ancient Damascus steel knives because their exact composition became a mystery by the 19th century.
Once the blade is shaped from the billet, it is drenched in acid, revealing the signature layered pattern. The result is a both durable and beautiful knife with a rolling, swirling design.
With careful planning, a craftsman can determine what the design will be in advance—be it a feather, ladder, or raindrop pattern.
Thus, every person who owns a Damascus blade is not only entrusted with the responsibility of caring for a knife, but also given a role in the preservation of artistic tradition.
Where Damascus Steel Gets Its Name?
There are various theories about the origin of the name ”Damascus”
- One theory proposes that the metal was named after a famous swordsmith (Damasqui);
- Another claims the “damas” name comes from an ancient Arabic word “watered.”
- But the most popular theory is that the steel is named after the Syrian capital, Damascus.
Regardless of its origin, it is certain that the term was first applied by the Europeans, despite not being manufactured there.
Is It Real Damascus Steel?
You may be asking, “How to make Damascus steel?” Good question, but first ask, “What is real Damascus steel?”
This legendary material is surrounded by debate; many people struggle to weed through the theories of what constitutes “real” Damascus steel.
Generally, it is accepted that Damascus steel can be divided into two groups: wootz steel and pattern-welded steel.
What Is Wootz Steel?
Wootz steel is the original Damascus steel. It was produced in India by combining iron and steel in a crucible set in a low-oxygen environment.
By allowing these metals to absorb carbon from pieces of charcoal, then cool slowly, the steel alloy took on a crystalline structure, also known as dendritic crystal.
The forging process warped these crystalline structures into the recognizable pattern we associate with Damascus steel. When acid was applied, objects made from this steel revealed a preserved pattern.
Because of its flexibility, wootz became a prized material and was transported to other locations, including the city of Damascus, which was a major producer of swords.
What Is Pattern Welded Steel?
Practically all modern Damascus steel is pattern-welded steel, for the methods and recipe of the iconic wootz material were lost somewhere around the 19th century. (Note: Several skilled modern metal-workers have drawn near to replicating the original wootz.)
Pattern welded steel is created by stacking alloys and manipulating the heated billet to form hundreds of layers, similar to the process bakers use to distribute butter in an exquisite pastry.
In the baking of croissants, for example, a sheet of butter is sealed in a rectangle of dough, which is then folded into thirds and rolled out again.
Like wootz steel, pattern-welded steel shows off an intricate design when exposed to acid.
Some people claim that pattern-welded steel does not deserve the title of Damascus, yet considering that both types of steel require a lengthy, manual forging process, have a pattern running throughout the entirety of material, and respond vividly to acid, there is little reason to squabble.
Several authoritative books that have stood the test of time have referred to pattern-welded steel as Damascus.
Especially since the name Damascus was ambiguous in the first place, knife experts should save their energy to tackle the real frauds, which will be covered in the next section of this article.
The Folly of Frauds
Today, consumers may find many inexpensive weapons online that tout the title, “Damascus Steel!” These products are usually fakes, which look like wootz or pattern-welded steel on their exteriors, but inside are just plain old stainless steel.
This look is achieved by printing or acid-etching a design on the exterior of the blade only. Once that exterior is damaged, the design is permanently lost.
This is different from real Damascus steel, which has a pattern running throughout the entire blade. A damaged knife made of real Damascus steel can usually have its pattern re-revealed with acid.
Thus, one way to identify a fake is to polish a portion of the blade until the design has disappeared, then apply acid to see it returns.
Another sign of faux Damascus steel is an extremely elaborate patterning.
It is much easier to print such a motif on a flat surface than to achieve it by careful forging techniques, so Damascus imposters tend to be ostentatious.
What are the Most Popular Types of Damascus Steels?
- AUS-8
- AUS-10
- VG-1
- VG-2
- VG-10