Secret's Out For Saracens Sabres (Damascus Steel)

New Scientist ^ | 11-15-2006

[blam]

Secret's out for Saracen sabres

15 November 2006
NewScientist.com news service

DURING the middle ages, the Muslims who fought crusaders with swords of Damascus steel had an edge - a very high-tech one. Their sabres contained carbon nanotubes.

From about AD 900 to AD 1750, Damascus sabres were forged from Indian steel called wootz. Peter Paufler of the Technical University of Dresden, Germany, and colleagues studied samples of a 17th-century sword under an electron microscope and found clear evidence of carbon nanotubes and even nanowires.

The researchers think that the sophisticated process of forging and annealing the steel formed the nanotubes and the nanowires, and could explain the amazing mechanical properties of the swords (Nature, vol 444, p 286).

From issue 2578 of New Scientist magazine, 15 November 2006, page 20

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

I attributed the scarf trick to special effects, (which were pretty primitive back then) -- but I always wondered...

I once read about a Japanese 1930s propaganda film that showed a soldier with a samurai sword slice through the barrel of a machine gun.

[Kevmo]

BFLR = bump for later reading

[bert]

I'm having a Damascus daggerblade forged by a master bladesmith.

His Damascus is super tough and will hold an edge after severe abuse. It was promised this week but I'm not holding my breath.

[Bear_Slayer]

In reverse, would a rope tied at lowr depths snap when the sub surfaces?

[blam]

"In reverse, would a rope tied at lowr depths snap when the sub surfaces?"

I could if it were tight enough.

[TXnMA]

"I once read about a Japanese 1930s propaganda film that showed a soldier with a samurai sword slice through the barrel of a machine gun."

In my collection, I have a genuine, Pre-WWII Katana. It will shave at any point along its edge -- including the tip.

OTOH, I carefully clean and lubricate it anytime it is touched, and I certainly wouldn't maltreat it by whacking a gun barrrel with it. Japanese have real reverence for their blades; I can't imagine them mistreating one in such a fashion.

[TXnMA]

"...whenever I think of my lady, I walk on air!;-)"

You, Sir, deserve the Chivalrous Remark of the Day Award!

[Grizzled Bear]

The modern equivalent is folded steel. Heat, fold the steel, smash it flat and thin, heat it, fold it over, hammer it some more, and quench in a plump Nubian slave
_________________________________________________________
Wow; if that's the modern way what did they do in ancient times!

[Grizzled Bear]

I still contend it is not the weapon, but the weilder which determines victory.
_______________________________________________________
Miyamato Musashi used a wooden practice sword to kill an armed samurai when he was 13 years old. I think I spelled his name right.

[skr]

I'm just guessing, but I suspect she's feels the same about you. : )

[TXnMA]

Thanks for the link! Jim's work is truly spectacular!

I started to go for one of his dirks, but I only wear the dirk for formal occasions (and I don't enjoy wearing it, even then...).

Now, a fine, patterned steel sgian dubh, I could really use... Heck, I'd probably even wear it with my Utilikilt when I don't feel like wrapping my fanny in eight yards of heavy wool Macpherson tartan...

[Tench_Coxe]

"The Japanese sword was sharpened the same way as a knife, at a 9 to 10 dgree angle. "

More like a razor. General rule of thumb: Utility knife angle is 19-21 degrees, axes, 45 or greater, and razors about 10. Then again, I can shave with a knife at 20 degrees--right off the block.
The steel and its treatment has a lot to do with how well the edge holds.
Interesting about finding carbon nanotubes in the steel. I can see how this contributed to the flexibility. Some specialty steel company, if they let the researchers go hog wild, might find a breakthrough--such as single grain on the edge with a carbon nanotube matrix in the bulk of the blade.
Just ruminating here. Don't mind me.)
Good article.

[PzLdr]

Didn't help them against those Mongol tumans.

[fish hawk]

Kevin Costner did that same thing with a sword in "The Bodyguard" with Whitney Houston.

[hinckley buzzard]

Who cares. We're talking about swords, f'r chrissakes, in the era of laser-sights.. Might as well talk about the relative merits of buggy whips.

[sionnsar]

Thanks to Professional Engineer for the ping.

Geezer Geek ping.

This is a very low-volume ping list (typically days to weeks between pings).
FReepmail sionnsar if you want on or off this list.

[BunnySlippers]

BUMP

[Have Ruck - Will Travel]

Habanero aftershave is also good for treating jock itch.

(Not that it will CURE the jock itch mind ya, but after application most folks seem to be much too busy running, screaming, and crying to worry about the itchy feeling anymore.)

Take care,

Ruck

[LexBaird]

I once read about a Japanese 1930s propaganda film that showed a soldier with a samurai sword slice through the barrel of a machine gun.

They tested this one out on Mythbusters recently. Needless, I hope, to say it was found that a sword cannot cut a gun barrel in half. Japanese propaganda was just that: propaganda.

[LexBaird]

Thanks for the link! Jim's work is truly spectacular!

Here is another. Oso was a student of Jim's. His work has generally fancier fittings, but similar pattern welded blades. I have a sgian dubh made by Oso in cable damascus.