wootz with interesting "striping"

[RSWORD]

Jeff,

I have a copy of Figiel's book and see what you are speaking of. It makes for an interesting feature to a wootz blade. Structurally, any disadvantage to having too many "trees".

[Jeff Pringle]

Structurally, any disadvantage to having too many "trees"

No, I suspect they have no effect on the blade's structural state, too small in relation to the blade's cross section. Since the first steel to solidify is most pure, it would also tend to be the least brittle in the finished blade, so if there was an effect it would be towards increased toughness. Since the carbides don't collect in them, they might cause microscopic dull spots on the edge? Probably not significant to overall edge performance.