Properties Of Wootz

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by Sakalord364

When did the quality of European blades surpass that of wootz? I assume it was when the Industrial Revolution started, though I know Europeans exported blades to India in large quantities due to their skill in mass production techniques, however I don’t exactly know if these blades were deemed superior in quality to wootz

Based on my experience with antique wootz and European blades, I can say that the 17th century European blades coming from reputed centres like Toledo, Solingen, Milano were significantly superior to the wootz blades. But if I believe that some authors concluded that already in the 14th or 15th century some quality European blades were superior to wootz blades.

However, wootz continued to thrive due to its exoticism, reputation, and due to the inability of European smiths to reproduce it and the fascination that derived from this.

[Copycat]

All wootz is crucible ultra high carbon steel. Ultra high carbon steel is clearly defined.

Wootz itself is not so clear. It's ultra high carbon steel, but could also be:
- modern
- traditional
- pattern X
- pattern Y
- a little vanadium
- a little manganese
- etc.

The ancient method of forging ultra high carbon steel made those blades superior to all other blades.