Sword question

J.LeBrasseur

J.LeBrasseur

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Staff member
Ok I consider myself very well versed in Imperial swords, but just had something happen for the second time about 20 years apart and I am confused, looking for peoples thoughts or to set me straight.

I picked up a Baden standard officer sword nothing special. But blade is marked EISENHAUR DAMASTAHL

Now I know Eisenhaur is good German steel and I thought Damastahl meant Damascus, but this blade is not Damasucus, no pattern at all.

I had another sword around 20 years ago a Standard Prussian M89 that I sold, that had the same markings but no Damascus?

Am I misreading the reference books or am I not correct on the word Damastahl?

still learning after all these years....

James







 
James,
Damascus refers to a type of steel, not to a type of blade. Damaststahl is Damascus steel which is a layered steel that shows a surface pattern similar to flowing water. It is an ancient technique and has not been fully replicated in modern times. This type of ancient steel was known to be extremely tough and many companies have used the term "Damascus Blade" to indicate toughness. Some have the flowing water look and others do not.

Modern steels and alloys are substantially stronger than Damascus steel, but they lack the "romance".

Simple reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus_steel" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

John :)
 
Many modern knife makers still routinely make Damascus blades
Click to expand...
That‘s true, but John meant the historic „Damast-Steel“ from Damascus. Today‘s Damast-Steel is the well known europeen welding-composite Damast. It has a a wunderful finish with wavy lines after etching it. The original Damast from India got also such wave lines after etching, but these are not as visible as seen on europeen Damast. The knowledge of making this antique Damast is unfortunately lost.
 
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