Damascus steel ??

[RobT]

Hi sandeepsingh,
For historical perspective and geographical distribution I would strongly recommend "Crucible Steel in Central Asia: Production, Use and Origins" which is the doctoral thesis of Dr. Anna Marie Feuerbach (aka moltenmuse). In the past Dr. Feuerbach made CD copies of her thesis available for a nominal fee. She has also participated in this forum so you may be able to contact her by email. Anyone with an interest in wootz shouldn't be without this resource. In addition I would also consider indispensable "Metallurgy of Steel for Bladesmiths & Others who Heat Treat and Forge Steel" by Dr. John D. Verhoeven, Emeritus Professor, Iowa State University. I think you might be able to download it from the internet. Neither of these monographs qualify as easy reading and the Verhoeven piece is especially brutal but it makes clear some of the metallurgic principles that aren't fully explained in the Feuerbach work.