The Making of Wootz Steel
and Damascus Blades
Sarah Schlotter
Damascus blades, famous for their ability to hold a sharp edge, have fascinated European swordsmiths since the crusades, though the ability to forge such blades had been lost until recently. This talk will examine the step-by-step process of making a damascene blade from the perspective of the physical sciences, along with a survey of the history surrounding Damascus steel. I will discuss the properties and structure of steel, the manufacture and microstructure of crucible steel, and the mechanical and thermal aspects of the forging process.