I just stumbled across this fascinating scientific report from 2006 regarding the discovery of carbon nano-tubes in Damascus steel blades. The article explains how this "modern" nano material may have contributed to these swords' legendary properties of strength and flexibility, and how the acid etching process, rather than being purely for decorative purposes, served to expose the nano fibers at the edge. This made the blade edge serrated at the nano scale for exceptional sharpness as well as durability.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/n...ch-swords.html
Sorry if this is too obscure, or old news, but it got me excited.
Best Regards,
David