Hello,
Some of my thoughts on this...
I don't think there is any additional setup needed to do twist core once a smith can do simple lamination. If he can do forge welding and produce laminated blades, then he possesses the tools for twist core. The only thing I can think of restricting the widespread use of twist core is the skill and time needed to do it successfully, without cold shuts and without wasting material.
There is also another economic and marketing consideration. Twist core can be marketed as a luxury item, and as such bring a higher return. If twist core blades are produced in limited quantity, then they remain luxury items.
I wouldn't limit the twist core blade to a "status" piece. It could just have been a high quality fighting blade for whoever could afford it, without any social and cultural constraints associated with "status". The large and finely decorated hilts, however, were obviously intended to be shown and seen.
As to what is alluring about these blades, they're just beautiful and out of the ordinary. I think any pattern in metal is quite attractive and its revelation upon etching or polishing can seem magical.
For cultures of Islamic faith, the flowing water-like pattern of lamination/patterning and dendritic structures are especially important IIRC.
Emanuel
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