Japanese Damascus
Did the Samurai use Damascus steel when smithing katanas?
Any Japanese history buffs who truly know if theses swords were constructed from Damascus steel as an outer coating for their katanas- I have found that they did have a softer grade of steel in the center for flexibility and durability. I just bid on one on ebay but am not sure if this could truly be a durable mix for practical use. I appreciate your help on this-
No, the term Damascus refers more to the folding process that creates a way "grain" pattern on the steel. The master japanese swordsmiths used several different techniques to create their weapons, some involved using different types of steel being wrapped around each other. The highest quality being used for the cutting edge. They commonly used tamahagane or iron sand which is fairly rare and expensive.
The quality of the sword in many respects depends more on the processes used in manufacture such a clay tempering than whether the steel is damascus.
TK2 Series - Japanese Damascus Multipurpose Knife (Santoku-bocho)
 |
 |
HANDMADE JAPANESE TAMAHAGANE IRON SAMURAI SWORD DAMASCUS FOLDED KATANA BLACK |  |
 |
US $1,286.77 | 4d 12h 19m |
 |
HANDMADE JAPANESE TAMAHAGANE IRON SAMURAI SWORD DAMASCUS FOLDED KATANA GOLD | |
|
US $1,286.77 | 1d 23h 49m |
 |
Vintage Japanese Damascus Dagger | |
|
US $999.00 | 23d 12h 7m |
 |
SET OF 5 Ten Ryu™ Dragon Damascus Katanas Samurai Japanese Style Sword Sheath | |
|
US $974.99 | 7d 16h 39m |
 |
KATANA SWORD DAMASCUS KNIFE NINJA EXCLUSIVE SAMURAI STEEL JAPANESE | |
|
US $1,900.00 | 4d 10h 56m |
 |
SET OF 3 Ten Ryu™ Dragon Damascus Katanas Samurai Japanese Style Sword Sheath | |
|
US $629.99 | 7d 16h 38m |
 |
Musashi T10 Damascus Steel Dragon Katana Japanese Sword | |
|
US $599.99 | 19d 18h 47m |
 |
VINTAGE JAPANESE NICE SWORD KATANA DAMASCUS BLADE 68 | |
|
US $588.88 | 5h |
 |
Damascus Japanese Katana Wakizashi Swords 630 31 | |
|
US $499.99 | 6d 3h 35m |
 |
Damascus Japanese Samurai Katana Wakizashi 626 27 | |
|
US $499.99 | 6d 3h 35m |
 |
Damascus Japanese Katana Wakizashi Swords 628 29 | |
|
US $499.99 | 11d 1h 11m |
 |
VINTAGE JAPANESE NICE SWORD KATANA DAMASCUS BLADE 88 | |
|
US $388.88 | 4h 58m |
 |
Japanese natural whetstone SHOUBU damascus green BIG SIZE Lv5 2020g | |
|
US $360.00 | 7d 10h 22m |
 |
Black on Green Wrapped Handle Snody Damascus Japanese BOSS Custom Knife Sheath | |
|
US $399.95 | 5d 14h 59m |
 |
Black Green Wrapped Handle Snody Damascus Japanese BOSS Custom Knife NO Sheath | |
|
US $329.95 | 5d 14h 58m |
 |
Clay Temper Damascus Japanese Samurai Katana Sword 643 | |
|
US $289.99 | 6d 3h 35m |
 |
Clay Temper Damascus Japanese Samurai Katana Sword 640 | |
|
US $289.99 | 6d 3h 35m |
 |
Clay Temper Damascus Japanese Samurai Katana Sword 646 | |
|
US $289.99 | 6d 3h 35m |
 |
Damascus Bamboo Japanese Samurai Katana Sword 628 | |
|
US $289.99 | 6d 3h 35m |
 |
Fully Handmade Damascus Japanese Samurai Katana 626 | |
|
US $289.99 | 6d 3h 35m |
 |
Clay Temper Damascus Japanese Samurai Katana Sword 644 | |
|
US $289.99 | 11d 1h 11m |
 |
Clay Temper Damascus Japanese Samurai Katana Sword 642 | |
|
US $289.99 | 11d 1h 11m |
