From Silver Stag Knives

-- Historians have found that Damascus steel, formally known as wootz steel, originated in Asia over two thousand years ago, (200 BC). Damascus steel gained popularity throughout the Roman era and was commonly used to make armor and weapons.

Damascus steel regained its popularity in the mid 18th century when a Swedish scientist discovered that the original wootz steel contained carbon as the dominant element in the ancient steel. Swedish companies began reproducing Damascus steel on an industrial scale and began using Damascus steel to make gun barrels. Thus, the first crucible steel manufacturing began in 1774.

Silver Stag continues the tradition with its line of Damascus blades using the same ancient process. The Damascus is created by forge welding multiple layers of steel, some that contain nickel, into a solid block called a billet. The billet is folded and rewelded several times.

Patterns are created by manipulating the steel during the forge welding process. When the billet is finished, blades are formed out of the layered steel billet block. When acid is added to the blade, it attacks the layers of hard and soft steels differently, highlighting the layered pattern in the blade.

The combination of layered hard and soft steel creates blade flexibility, toughness and produces invisible serrations on the blade that aid in cutting.

Silver Stag Damascus knives are manufactured in the United States with deer, elk and moose antler handles. For more information call 1-888-233-7824 or visit www.silverstag.com.

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