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 had 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.
From what we know, the original Damascus steel swords may have been made near Damascus, Syria, in the period from 900 AD to as late as 1750 AD but quickly gained its reputation during the Crusades.
Damascus steel was the name that the Crusaders gave to the steel that they had witnessed slicing through their own, lesser quality swords, cutting the sword in half in a single swipe without ever losing its edge. The next swipe would do the same to the body of that less fortunate Crusader.
The steel that was forged by the sword smiths of Ancient Damascus was such a well-kept secret, that it cannot be perfectly replicated even today. The process was lost to the middle-eastern metal smiths around 1750 AD, possibly because sources of ores containing trace amounts of tungsten and/or vanadium needed for its production were depleted. So with the raw materials and recipes of the metal smiths’ to make these items no longer available, it causes a bit of a problem. Numerous attempts have been made to recreate the process with varying success, but the original process remains speculative at best.
Modern day Damascus steel is a very sought after commodity. I would say for more than just the logical reasons such as its quality and its beauty.
It is also due to the mystery and the history that continually surrounds it, intriguing others to have to own a little piece of it.
http://www.claysmithguns.com/knives_history.htm
HOW TO CARE FOR A DAMASCUS STEEL KNIFE
by Larry Connelley
If you have a Damascus steel blade knife, you have a knife blade with unique beauty. With its historical reputation as the metal used for the best swords over hundreds of years and its distinctive wavy design, Damascus steel is a beauty to behold. So with that quality blade–especially one that has intricate etchings–comes special care. Here are our tips on how to care for a Damascus steel knife, in order for it to maintain its beauty and use.
- Lubricate carbon steel Damascus blades.
The pattern in damascus forged completely through the entirety of the blade. The steel’s unique pattern is only truly revealed with etching an acid wash during manufacturing. This etching causes the different oxidation levels to show dark (oxidized) and light/shiny patterns on the blade (resisting oxidation).
Most hand forged damascus blades are made of high carbon steel, which means that they have a relatively low amount of chromium in the steel. Carbon steel and carbon steel damascus can rust when not cared for properly. You will need to make sure the blade remains clean and dry in order to prevent rust or discoloration.
After cleaning and drying your knife, you should lubricate it with a wax to prevent moisture from affecting the blade. We recommend Renaissance Wax (an archival-grade museum wax), because it will keep your knife rust-free and maintain its etched beauty.
Damascus blades can also be made of stainless steel. When a knife is made with steel carrying a chromium content of at least 11% it will be mentioned in the product specs as stainless. While stainless damscus steel can resist rust and will take less care, we recommend applying wax to any damascus blade to keep it looking at it’s best. - Avoid abrasives.
Avoiding abrasives–rough cloths, metal polishes, steel wool, etc–is important to maintaining the look and quality of the blade, because if you do use an abrasive or metal cleaner it will remove the etched oxidation that you want on a damascus knife to show the pattern. Once the etch is significanly altered, we recommend sending your blade back to the maker for re-etching service. - Be mindful of when and where you use your Damascus blade.
A carbon steel damascus blade is especially susceptible to damage when used on acidic foods (fruits, for example), in wet, humid environments, and for field dressing game. These uses and environments can remove the etching of the blade.
When you do use damascus, remember to wash and dry it immediately, taking care to not rub the blade roughly. Using a microfiber or cotton cloth to dry it, the softer material will not wear the blade. - Store it properly to keep it rust-free.
When not in use, it’s important to keep the Damascus steel knife in a dry interior environment, where it will not be affected by extreme moisture or temperature changes. After cleaning and waxing your knife, storing it in a box or padded zipper case, your knife will keep well.
When out in the field with your knife, make sure that you don’t keep it in a wet environment for long periods of time. Don’t store your damacus knife (or any knife for that matter) in a leather sheath – acids and chemicals are used to tan leather and can lead to oxidation over time due to the normal moisture found in the air.
In addition, keep an eye out for a wet handle: the moisture from the handle can also rust the blade, so keeping the entire knife dry is important. We strongly advise against using a dehumidifier bar if you are storing damascus knives with natural handle materials; especially in a closed safe or storage compartment. Extreme low humidity is a hazard for ANY natural handle material (woods, stag, etc) and will likely cause cracking or separation. Humidity does not affect synthetic handle materials.
By taking good care of your Damascus steel knife, your knife will last longer and maintain its unique look.
(feel free to link to this article if you found it helpful.)
https://www.knifeart.com/damascuscare.html
