History of damascene steels

The name "damascus" was used in Europe around 1700 as a name for patterned steel imported from the middle east. Both pattern weld steel and chrystallization patterned steels were called Damascene steels, which has caused some confusion. The countries in the middle east had been leading the metallurgical development for a long time. In fact, the strength of the Ottomanian empire was built on the weapon technology and metallurgical skills. They had death penalties for any technology transfer to the european countries.

Pattern welding is a very old technology. Already the Roman Empire before Christ made beautiful patterned sword blades. Damascene traditions has developed in many places on earth during different periods of time. The franconian swords, The Indonesian Kris daggers, The Indian Wootz tradition and even the Japanese Samurai tradition represent different parts of that history.

We have chosen to present the damascene history together with the metallurgical development steps. Just because the different traditions are close related to the furnace technology and the common metallurgical practice.

We divide the damascus into four groups:
Damascus of die Spongy Metallurgy 500 B.C. - 800 A.D.
Damascus of the Semi Liquid Metallurgy 1700-1900
Damascus of me Liquid metallurgy 800 -1900
Damascus of the Rapid solidification Metallurgy 2000-

Old Viking sword from Gefle Museum and a sword made by Anders Fällås - Sweden