[buendia]

I`m analyzing a poem by Lermontov called Kindjal (1837) (in original) and Dagger in English. The poet uses the expression "булатный мой кинжал" - what would exactly mean >my kindjal made of bulat<. English translation is "O trusty dagger mine, My comrade wrought of cool Damascus steel!".
Lermontov uses the word bulat, English equivalent of which would be wootz.
I have seen a couple of pattern welded - "damascus" kindjals, a few imitations of pattern welded flutes/grooves made by etching, but never any wootz!

So what sort of kindjal could Lermontov possibly possess?

The Dagger
I like you well, O trusty dagger mine,
My comrade wrought of cool Damascus steel!
Forged were you by the Georgian with revange in the mind,
By the Circassian free -- for war were you made keen.
A lily-white hand it was gave you to me --
You were affection's keepsake, its last gift...
Not blood, but pearl-like tears born of the agony
Of bitter parting down your blade ran swift.
Her dark eyes rested, full of secret pain,
Of sadness and of mystery, upon
My face, and like yourself when lit by flickering flame,
Now clouded and turned dull, now glowed and shone.
O dagger, love's mute pledge, you will my true
Friend stay, and an example set to me, a wanderer:
For faithful, yes, and firm of soul like you
I'll be like you that tempered was by fire.
Translated by Irina Zheleznova

КИНЖАЛ (1838) Mikhail Lermontov
Люблю тебя, булатный мой кинжал,
Товарищ светлый и холодный.
Задумчивый грузин на месть тебя ковал,
На грозный бой точил черкес свободный.
5Лилейная рука тебя мне поднесла
В знак памяти, в минуту расставанья,
И в первый раз не кровь вдоль по тебе текла,
Но светлая слеза — жемчужина страданья.
И черные глаза, остановясь на мне,
10Исполненны таинственной печали,
Как сталь твоя при трепетном огне,
То вдруг тускнели, — то сверкали.
Ты дан мне в спутники, любви залог немой,
И страннику в тебе пример не бесполезный:
15Да, я не изменюсь и буду тверд душой,
Как ты, как ты, мой друг железный.