There are two basic types of Damascus carried over from the "Old World", one is Wootz Damascus and the other is Folded Damascus. Wootz Damascus comes from Turkey and has a tight grain random pattern, whereas, Folded Damascus is the layering of steel and iron to create a pattern. Folded Damascus is best known when talking about the Japanese sword smiths of the Samurai era, however it was also used by the Vikings and late Romans.

To create Wootz Damascus one assembles all the elements into a sealed crucible and then melts the parts into a hockey puck shaped billet which is then drawn out to create a blade or shape.

In my shop I create Folded Damascus and this is produced by folding layers together and manipulating them to give you certain patterns. This is done hot in a forge and uses large compression and mechanical hammers. Some patterns are cut into the billet while others are worked into the steel using hammers or by twisting the billets. All patterns are found in the end grain and are brought out by some form of etching.

The billets can, and are, used to create exceptionally beautiful and strong knives. A test of a well made Damascus knife is to put the finished product in a vice and bend it (cold) to 90 degrees, however the knife will no longer be usable so do not try this to the good knife you have just purchased. I also create knives out of Damascus in my forge and then add exotic wood handles to customers specifications.

I have also learned to make Damascus to a tight degree wherein the pattern is noticeable in jewelry. I then turn the billet into a piece of jewelry and use precious metals to accent the designs. I can put Gold or Silver into the Damascus to set stones into or as a surround on rings and pendants. Because the piece is made out of Damascus it will be both strong and long lasting. I often tell people that if the Damascus ring I sell them gets bent onto their finger they should be glad they were wearing it because, whatever bent it, would have cut off their finger.

Damascus does however need some minimal care so that it does not rust. This care is as simple as wearing it so that the oils from your skin protect the steel content of the jewelery. Other care can be given by rubbing it with a small amount of cooking oil or lightly polishing it with a Non-Silicon based paste wax, such as floor wax or some automotive polishing waxes.