Well said Jens
That was what I had thought too, but your question sent me off through the archives here and from what I can understand, the raw material was comprised of pretty much an amalgam of the categories of iro ore. My impression is that one of the secrets of the wootz may lie chemically with the materials used in carburizing the smelted metal. You are very right on the superstitions concerning iron though, and we have been discussing that on the current 'takouba' thread. The blacksmiths it seems were typically pariahs in society, as they dealt in 'black' arts, necessary, yet feared or regarded with considerable apprehension.
I think we had a great discussion a while back on the magnetism imbued in some blades, and certain perspectives on quality or superstition associated with these blades. I am far from any sort of real understanding of metallurgy, but it seems that magnetized iron, lodestone, when reaching a certain temperature (Curie point?) it loses this property. Thus it seems strange that a blade might be magnetic, however I think the lodestone can be remagnetized, so possibly this is what occurs. Help! Metallurgists out there!
Ann? Tom? Karel?
Good thoughts Jens, as always fascinating topics!!
All the best,
Jim