The History of The Steel Sword

Some of the strongest and best steel swords were made during the time of the crusades, although they weren't fabricated by the crusaders but by the Syrians. These extremely strong swords were pliable yet could slice through an opponent easily, and were called Damascus steel swords.

In the era of the Crusades, most of the European armies fought several disadvantages. Among the most prominent of these was the fact that they were outnumbered, and out weaponed. The Islams were much better equipped for the war. They had horses, their chain mail was light which gave them room to move, but their steel swords were much better than those used by the crusaders.

These steel swords were made of what was called Damascus steel. This type of steel making was a kept secret for centuries. It was a steel that was made so well bent with pressure and yet it did not break and yet had an edge so sharp, it could cut a man in half.

Steel swords were made in this fashion in the middle east from about 1100 BC to 1700 AD. This Damascus steel sword became the sword of stories, and of legend. It is now known that these steel swords were made of Wootz steel, yet many of the metal smith processes and other raw metals have been lost. Wootz steel was first developed in India and later it spread to Persia.