Russian Wootz

[ariel]

Originally Posted by Jeff Pringle

I think he is second generation of the Russian bulat revivalists, following Basov and Lounyov; noteable for having gotten bulat to look more like classic Persian wootz than the usual granular or dendritic patterns that the Russian stuff has tended to exhibit since Anosov. Or so I recall from occasional web searches, I could have the names and/or order skewed.
One of the Russians who puts a knife or two on ebay throws some grandstanding photos (cutting through iron bar, 2X4, still shaving) on the auction page, which I find unneccessary - normal steels can do the same parlor tricks when heat treated well.

That's interesting: we seem to go back to the old question about the supposed advantages of wootz.
If well-treated steel can do the same "parlor tricks" , then where is the superiority of wootz, especially taking into account its brittleness? The horror stories of Forumites about a priceless wootz sword falling on the floor and shattering made me wanting to put pillows around the "weapon room".
Seriously, with the exception of the esthetic factor, what, in your opinion, is the big deal?