Frag Out! Magazine
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Dziwer – Damascus steel - Polish way Let's go back to the definition of Damascus steel by C. J. B. Karsten according to which Damascus steel can be named a steel that has a pattern of alternating light and dark layers (after polishing and etching) . To sum up – if we see such a pattern after etching it is a Damascus steel. What can be done with nomenclature if finished products can be achieved by different methods invented in different times and on different continents? "Dziwer" was popular in Poland. It was a steel made by forging multiple layers of it to enhance its cutting properties as well as elasticity of the blade. After etching the effect was exactly the same as described in the definition by Karsten. What is interesting, "dziwer" was better than Damascus steel in terms of elasticity, had the same cutting properties thanks to alternating steel layers (working similarly to a microsaw which "bite" cutted material, not sliding on it) and was much less brittle. Apart from the weaponry, Slavic tribes were using tools from non-homogenous steel (dziwer) as well. Archaeological excavations near Łęczyca uncovered a drill from such steel dated back to the 17th century. Interesting thing is that based on excavations we can say that swords forged from steels of different types (or rather steel and iron) were already used during the period of Przeworsk culture so approx. 3rd century BC and in 5th century AD on terrains of present Poland and Zakarpattia region. Mess with terminology Similar effect was acquired by Japanese while forging their sword with multiple processes of repetitive forging creating "sandwiches" from different types of steel creating tens or even thousands of combinations of steels that differed in content of coal, different hardness etc. in a single blade. After etching (or polishing without it) we could see layering as well. So, can we name Japanese swords made from Damascus steel? Or maybe dziwer? In knives used by Vikings it happened to uncover numbers of them with noticeable intrusions made from forging different steel and combining it with high-phosphorus steel. High phosphorus steel isn't a good steel but it combines other steels very well and is characteristic with its silver, contrasting color. Was it Damascus steel? Dziwer? Maybe their first laminate? In 14th and 15th century Russia, Damascus steel was called bulat but the biggest researcher of this steel, Pavel Anosov, was using a term of Damascus steel. Achieving similar effect and pattern in different ways was discovered in the 19th century. It appeared that a similar pattern can be achieved on a weapon made of a single type of steel because of its crystalline structure. Similar pattern is on the blades in which it is the effect of multiple forge-welding and twisting of multiple layers of steel and iron. www.fragoutmag.com