I understand that damascus sword steel was made by folding the strip of steele double , reheating, hammering, folding again and so forth hundreds of times. Was this the same or very nearly the same techmique the japs used making the sword blades the samari swords?(forgive the misspelling)
I am aware of the complications that must be involved and it would be intresting to learn more about them!
Damascus: A folding technique where the steel is folded over itself many (generally up to sixteen) times, leading to hundreds or even thousands of layers (one fold = 2 layers, two folds = 4 layers, three folds = 8 layers, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024, 2048, 4096, etc.). More folds than sixteen are pointless, as the layers would become thinner than one molecule - which is impossible. This method was developed to removed impurities from the steel (it also removes carbon, which is bad, but can be compensated for to some degree), but modern steel is so pure that Damascus folding is no longer needed. It is now used for aesthetic reasons; Damascus steel looks really good; you can see the layers in the blade.
San Mai: Translates to "three layers". Layers of softer, lower carbon steel (or iron) is forge welded to layers of harder, higher carbon steel. The lower carbon steel forms the core (and sometimes the sides and/or back), and the higher carbon steel forms the edge. The hard edge will hold its sharpness, the softer core provides shock absorption; making the sword harder to break. Unlike Damascus, San Mai is still very practical. San Mai folds should be invisible; if you can see a San Mai fold the forging was flawed and the blade should be discarded - you'll have to trust your seller that the blade is San Mai - you can't tell by looking. San Mai can be revealed by etching the blade with acid, such as lemon juice, but I don't recommend trying this unless you know what you're doing; you can permanently stain the blade. San Mai swords are more durable (and more expensive) than simple blades. They are more durable (and usually less expensive) than Damascus blades. A blade can be either San Mai or Damascus, or it can be both; Damascus steel which is then San Mai folded. Very cool, looks good and lasts long.
Custom Handmade Damascus steel Fixed Blade Hunting Knife, blank blade , Custom Handmade Damascus steel Fixed Blade Hunting Knife, blank blade , Custom Handmade Damascus steel Fixed Blade Hunting Knife, blank blade , 8.25" Custom raw Damascus steel hunting knife blank blade, raindrop , 8.25" Custom raw Damascus steel hunting knife blank blade, raindrop, 9.25" Custom raw Damascus steel hunting knife blank blade, ladder damascus, 7.50" Custom raw Damascus steel hunting knife blank blade, ladder damascus, New Beautiful Custom Hand Made Damascus Steel Knife Damascus Dagger Fixed Blade, Single blade Damascus Steel pocket knife w/ keychain, 4.5" damascus steel curved blade, DAMASCUS STEEL HUNTING KNIFE KEN RICHARDSON MADE N USA 6" BLADE HORN TURQUOISE , full hand folded steel blade damascus16384 layer clay tempered katana sword DP01, BL-16A Make a custom knife with a 140+ layers Damascus steel Blank blade/sharp, DAMASCUS STEEL BLADE POCKET,HUNTING KNIFE 1307, Electric Drop Hunter Damascus Steel Knife Blade Blank Billet 1462, 3 Pack Attack Damascus Steel Knife Blade Blank Billet 1460, DAMASCUS STEEL BLADE POCKET,HUNTING KNIFE 1188, Jimmy Hunter Damascus Steel Knife Blade Blank Billet 1459, Big Sweden Damascus Steel Knife Blade Blank Billet 1458, ALABAMA DAMASCUS STEEL BILLET BLANK,BLADE, KNIFE MAKING SUPPLIES - 0.105" Thick, Rhino Hunter Damascus Steel Knife Blade Blank Billet 1457, Damascus Steel Handmade BLANK BLADE knife 1035 C, Damascus Steel Handmade BLANK BLADE knife -1034 C, ALABAMA DAMASCUS STEEL BILLET BLANK,BLADE, KNIFE MAKING SUPPLIES - 0.160" Thick, Damascus Steel Handmade BLANK BLADE knife -1027 E, ALABAMA DAMASCUS STEEL BILLET BLANK,BLADE, KNIFE MAKING SUPPLIES - 0.120" Thick, Damascus Steel Handmade BLANK BLADE knife - 1026 C, Damascus Steel Blade 251 layers/ Redwood / Antiler /with Damascus steel end caps, Damascus Steel Handmade BLANK BLADE knife -1025 C, Damascus Steel Handmade BLANK BLADE knife - 1024 C, DAMASCUS STEEL BLANK BLADE FOR HUNTING KNIFE 1157, MADE BY MORA ONE OF A KIND DAMASCUS PREDATOR BOWIE ╖╖420C STEEL BLADE |HO-603, ALABAMA DAMASCUS STEEL BILLET BLANK,BLADE, KNIFE MAKING SUPPLIES - 0.106" Thick, ALABAMA DAMASCUS STEEL BILLET BLADE BLANK, KNIFE MAKING SUPPLIES - 6-1/2" OAL, ALABAMA DAMASCUS STEEL BILLET BLADE BLANK, KNIFE MAKING SUPPLIES - 4-1/4" OAL, DAMASCUS STEEL BLADE POCKET,HUNTING KNIFE 1291, Custom Hand Made Damascus Steel Fixed Blade Hunting Knife, ALABAMA DAMASCUS STEEL BILLET BLANK,BLADE, KNIFE MAKING SUPPLIES - 0.095" Thick, ALABAMA DAMASCUS STEEL BILLET BLADE BLANK, KNIFE MAKING SUPPLIES - 6-5/8" OAL, ALABAMA DAMASCUS STEEL BILLET BLADE BLANK, KNIFE MAKING SUPPLIES - 8" OAL, ALABAMA DAMASCUS STEEL BILLET BLADE BLANK, KNIFE MAKING SUPPLIES - 6" OAL, Custom Handmade Damascus steel Fixed Blade Hunting Knife, blank blade , Custom Handmade Damascus steel Fixed Blade Hunting Knife, blank blade , Custom Handmade Damascus steel Fixed Blade Hunting Knife, blank blade , 9.75" Custom raw Damascus steel hunting knife blank blade, raindrop damascus , 8.25" Custom raw Damascus steel hunting knife blank blade, raindrop , 8.25" Custom raw Damascus steel hunting knife blank blade, raindrop , CUSTOM HANDMADE UROOJ DAMASCUS STEEL HUNTING BLADES , DAMASCUS STEEL BLADE POCKET,HUNTING KNIFE 1304, DAMASCUS STEEL BLADE POCKET,HUNTING KNIFE 1116,
