The Secrets of Wootz Damascus Steel

A 50-minute documentary about the legendary Al Pendray, together with two swordsmiths from Jordan, and their quest to produce authentic wootz Damascus steel with ores mined from a historical mine in Jordan - a mine that is known to have produced weapons for Saladin himself.

[@bluegrasssurvival9423]

Al Pendray's death was such a tragic loss not just for his family but for the world as well. R.I.P

[@georgeherod4252]

Can you imagine making one of those blades without all the modern-day equipment? Gives you a real appreciation for the talent of the master craftsman of those days.

[@user-oc5jj7rh4r]

You can try to look at ancient katana and keris blacksmith techniques.

[@edwardrichard2561]

Unbelievable really. Amazing too.

[@tomp538]

Better, can you imagine who the first guy was that figured out how to make steel from iron ore.

[@paddyglenny]

@@tomp538 Maybe it was a woman....

[@johnbuchman4854]

@@paddyglenny Maybe a Wootzman...

[@The52brandon]

Historic work for sure. I particularly liked seeing how happy he was to work with this material provided by Abd and Awni. At such an age, he was still able to find something that could excite him to such a degree. I'm quite confident in saying he lived a full life - and lived it to the fullest. I imagine Abd and Awni have had 100% success in the time since this video was made, which is fantastic. It's nice to see individuals from countries with very little in common that are known for not getting along find something that excites them to the degree that they're willing to travel halfway around the world to pursue. RIP Al and all the best to Abd and Awni

[@ayubshaikh9156]

True , working with such a soft, cheerful , happy , enthusiastic & patient Man in any research field ,……….a dream !

[@cmcconn100]

Jordan is a very different country from other areas in the middle East. The people are very friendly. I grew up in the ME and travelled through Jordan. I have wonderful memories of sharing bread with some of their Army guys one evening. We were passing through and they let us camp inside their fort. I saw them cooking bread directly in hot coals, and of course being a curious kid, I had to go and check it out.

[@ajhproductions2347]

@@cmcconn100what countries did you live in?

[@driprubies2464]

I swear old guys workin away in their shops are among the happiest and most fulfilling people!

[@ponderingnugget]

Interesting documentary. I would like to have seen more on the origins of wootz steel in 5th century BC Southern India and use of "wind tunnels" to funnel the monsoon winds into the ancient crucibles. It's amazing that this modern material was developed so long ago. These gentlemen have done some estimable work to re-create these processes.

[@Coincidence_Theorist]

That sounds really cool. Flow and form of all things matters when dealing with matter if one wants a quality material to materialize. Im glad they touched on the material lies of so called modern day Damascus or saturn welded squeal (aka pattern welded “steal” for these random steels have stolen. The Damascus name welded it to something lacking but faux luster is all it can muster) Often its takes something more or less than a guess to obtain the preverbal prize. The sensing kiss of quenching feel which immaterial eyes allow one to coax out within’n seal.

[@Mystakaphoros]

I have never been so excited about vanadium in my life.

[@aetherseraph]

Vmc fishing hooks...

[@sparky6086]

Pretty amazing, that the same "magic" ingredient, which gave Henry Ford's Model T & many great tools of the 20th century, vanadium, their great durability, turned out to be a key ingredient in authentic Damascus steel!

[@zuestoots5176]

@Dusty Miller that would unoptanium

[@CNYKnifeNerd]

CPM15V got me pretty excited about Vanadium!

[@glennkim1020]

Fantastic video. Matt Easton of scholagladiatoria sent me over and I'm glad he did. Can't wait until your next video.

[@munged12]

am i the only jordanian here ? this was an awesome documentary , hopefully the wootz will be eventually fully mastered with the wardeh mine ores

[@BeKindToBirds]

I hope not, welcome. I really hope that your countrymen can perfect the art again one day.

[@danielleriley2796]

I get that. A real complete sword similar to a sword that Saladin may have held made from ore from the very mines he used. While that would be great and hopefully it happens, I see doctored ores being used. By that I mean that you mine ore and test it and then add elements to it to get a known ore profile. Then you bake the blooms but in a more continuous production line process ratbag than small one offs. Then you make the crucible steel on a commercial scale and then thermal cycle, or normalisation is the real term and you do it on all steel work but not usually 6 or more times in a row. Then roll it into bar stock. From the way the ore profile affects the pattern quality if it shows at all there is no way that ore from here or there can be used unless you doctor the ore first. Look at the labour and material costs for just 1 ingot. 3 furnaces, charcoal bloomery, gas crucible and electric rim treating furnace, oh and the gas forge furnace. A day or so burning the bloomery then several hours on the crucible then a day and a half rim treatment then a day to normalise the ingot, 2 days forging to only have 2 rough bars. Plus days of cooling in there. Imagine the cost unless this gets commercialised.

[@GodKitty677]

@@danielleriley2796 Its better to be able to make it without the ore from one mine. In the video he is really working it out. I doubt the original makers of wootz worked out how to make wootz steel in this way. It sounds like they just knew how to get the end product using the ore from one mine. A skill in itself but did not understand what really was going on in the steel. This would likely then be the reason it died out with the mine. By working out how to produce wootz without the ore from one mine. This will preserve for the future the knowledge of how to produce wootz steel and manufacture wootz swords.

[@danielleriley2796]

@@GodKitty677 ahh. Wootz steel was made in India and Arabia and…. England. It was made in England until about 1700 ish. Then the skill was,list. Yes, a local steel worker knew how to make wootz using ore from just the local mine. These guys didn’t travel and only knew what was know within 15 km or so. That’s probably why the planet stagnated until the Black Death when serfs were allowed to travel and got paid better and chased that dollar. Of course no one will know exactly how the old people made wootz. This is just a bunch of steps that if your lucky and done in order as described may produce a billet. These steps are statistically impossible to be the exact same steps from the old world and I bet my bottom dollar that every steel mill had its own recipe for wootz. Now case in point. Hydrogen lowers the iron melting point. That Hydrogen is got by energising water to the point that it splits into 2H and O the is ionised. Since the water came from leaves then you also have a fair amount of carbon as well plus minerals and trace elements. Now the 2H reacts with the iron somehow and lowers the melting point a couple of hundred degrees C the carbon, C, reacts with the O and makes CO and maybe leaves some C that adds to the steel but for sure the minerals and grace elements from the leaf go into the steel. You say “Minerals, what minerals?” Well burn some leaves or wood and you have charcoal , the black stuff, and that white powder. The white stuff is minerals and elements. Even with all the air in the world that stuff is still there so in a oxygen deprived crucible there is more and it’s in the steel. But it would be nice to be able to remake the wootz from Saladin’s mine. The same mine that made the weapons that drove the crusaders all the way back to Western Europe.

[@GodKitty677]

@@danielleriley2796 We know how they made it but without the right ore with the correct impurities they could not make w00tz in the past. Western smiths could not make w00tz in the past because their ore lacked the impurities needed. Today manufactures know what metals can create carbides. In the past no one nknew this and thus the source of the iron was likely important. No one in the past knew what vanadium was and that adding it to steel could create carbides in the correct amounts. It was more that the correct ore had the right amount of vanadium so they could make w00tz. Thats what I got from reading and watching videos.

[@scottleft3672]

Al Pendray....the ol' pendragon....made it to 80....and 3 weeks....sadly missed.

[@thetruthexperiment]

Darn good thing he had an apprentice.

[@michaeltrimble7680]

Outstanding study into metallurgy and smithing. This man looks so humble on the surface, and the outpours a wealth of experience and knowledge. Excellence. You achieved that so others can build upon it. That is out freakin standing!

[@scholagladiatoria]

Wonderful stuff Mike, thanks so much for everything you do. Please more!!

[@TheMan-je5xq]

scholagladiatoria I didn’t realize Mike had a KZbin channel thanks Matt!

[@EldarKinSlayer]

I came on Matt's recommendation, I am not disappointed.

[@crusaderzero3984]

Thank you scholagladiatoria. I was been brought here through your channel and I love your video series about amor, and critics of film/TV show fighting scene ! I know there are lots of people will immediately relate this topic to weaponsmith when talking about the mystic wootz steel. However according to another channel created by Razmafzar group, Wootz steel are also been used as chahrayne armor(Persian/Indian style plate armor) and shield kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4Ocmp6vjNOBh5Y There is also an book called "Arms and Armor from Iran: The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period" by Dr. Manouchehr Moshtagh Khorasani, mention about the wootz steel were been used as facial area & edge part of armor & blade.

[@mtgAzim]

We love you Matt! Thank you for all your hours of content. I spend a lot of time... not feeling well, and when i see a new Schola video, I know that hole in my soul will be filled by one or both of the Eastons, for a short time at least. There's only a handful of people on youtube or otherwise that can get my mind away from... negative stuff, and you're up in the top of that list, and because of your recommendation, this channel is on that list too. I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way, so "Thank you" doesn't even scratch the surface of the amount of appreciation we have for you.

[@Desmond_Craine]

That was amazing! Thank you for great quality content.

[@samhouston2000]

Pure, honest, authentic and no biases. Just good old research work. WOW. Very hard to watch anything without underlying hidden agenda these days. Thank you for the awesome work.

[@shadiversity]

Loved it!

[@cdg03]

Shadiversity thanks for your videos too Shad

[@tophatbandit580]

I'd love to see you make a video on wootz Damascus!

[@sleepycritical6950]

SHAAAAAAD WHAT ABOUT DRAGOOOONS!??!

[@randomjunk1998]

Snake Plisken I thought you were dead

[@KnufWons]

Knew you couldn’t be far

[@charruauno386]

Thank you for sharing, excellent video and process, in fact I remember when my Grand Father (from Lebanon) use to teach me how to make Damascus steel, for knives. We use to go hunting for the ore and continued with the same process, with the only difference that we provided the force air to achieve the temperature need it, with a turbine made with a bicycle, so we pedal for 14-18 hours, my legs use to get very tired, but the results was extraordinary. Then we didn’t have automatic hammer, we did it all by hand. Thank you and have a nice day.

[@PNJHA-zo1yw]

Damn good documentary. A person from India. P.N.Jha

[@PNJHA-zo1yw]

Damn good documentary.

[@inhalefarts]

I'd love to see you make videos detailing this and any related stories you have to tell.

[@chrishayes5755]

thanks for sharing your story as well.

[@christophertorres114]

Wootz is such a fascinating topic, so I'm glad to see more long-form videos of talented blacksmiths exploring it! Thanks for sharing.

[@Sreeni-r2q]

Wootz steel originated in South India, in present day Tamil Nadu and Kerala, and ancient Sri Lanka.[1][2] There are several ancient Tamil, North Indian, Greek, Chinese and Roman literary references to high carbon Tamil steel. The crucible steel production process started in the 6th century BC, at production sites of Kodumanal in Tamil Nadu, Golconda in Telangana, Karnataka and Sri Lanka and exported globally.[3][4][5] The steel was exported as cakes of steely iron that came to be known as "Wootz".[6] The method was to heat black magnetite ore in the presence of carbon in a sealed clay crucible inside a charcoal furnace to completely remove slag. An alternative was to smelt the ore first to give wrought iron, then heat and hammer it to remove slag. The carbon source was bamboo and leaves from plants such as Avārai.[6][7] The Chinese and locals in Sri Lanka adopted the production methods of creating wootz steel from the Chera Tamils by the 5th century BC.[8][9] In Sri Lanka, this early steel-making method employed a unique wind furnace, driven by the monsoon winds. Production sites from antiquity have emerged, in places such as Anuradhapura, Tissamaharama and Samanalawewa, as well as imported artifacts of ancient iron and steel from Kodumanal. A 200 BC Tamil trade guild in Tissamaharama, in the South East of Sri Lanka, brought with them some of the oldest iron and steel artifacts and production processes to the island from the classical period.[10][11][12][13] Trade between South India and Sri Lankan with the Arab world through the Arabian Sea introduced wootz steel to Arabia. The term muhannad مهند or hendeyy هندي in pre-Islamic and early Islamic Arabic refers to sword blades made from Indian steel, which were highly prized, and are attested in Arabic poetry. Further trade spread the technology to the city of Damascus, where an industry developed for making weapons of this steel. The 12th century Arab traveler Edrisi mentioned the "Hinduwani" or Indian steel as the best in the world.[1] Arab accounts also point to the fame of ‘Teling’ steel, which can be taken to refer to the region of Telangana. The Golconda region of Telangana clearly being the nodal centre for the export of wootz steel to West Asia.[1] Another sign of its reputation is seen in a Persian phrase - to give an "Indian answer", meaning "a cut with an Indian sword".[9] Wootz steel was widely exported and traded throughout ancient Europe and the Arab world, and became particularly famous in the Middle East.[9]

[@Ashvanth_yt]

Cool

[@megahamartolos6638]

One additional point is from the Latin language itself. Wootz steel that the Romans imported from Asia was called "seric," meaning "Chinese." Apparently the Indians found their relative proximity to Rome too close for comfort and called the steel "Chinese" so the Romans would not invade them as the Macedonians had done three centuries earlier.

[@krytusgaming9219]

@@megahamartolos6638 but they lose even alexander

[@sadcapyyoutube]

@@megahamartolos6638 Delusion

[@padwez1618]

Chittorgarh, Rajasthan.... Gadulya Lohar ... More olddest than your location

[@kamarasune6568]

Sorry to hear that Al had passed away. What a wonderful craftsman he was and bless his soul he unselfishly shared all he knew on the subject before his passing. I hope this gives Jordan a special boost. Everyone around them has oil but now they have something very special that could help their people also :).

[@VeronicaGorositoMusic]

Amazing documental, and as a musician, I know the history of the Zildjian family and their top notch cymbals craft along 400 years to this day, so I put toghether the two legendary topics about metal forging...swords & music. It seems incompatible from a POV, but they're somehow related. The ancients knew some things!

[@Roamstrong]

Why yes, KZbin, I will give a like to this man's literal life's work. A beautiful obsession. RIP Al Pendray

[@ernestsheffield9976]

Very nice. We lost a wealth of knowledge when Mr. Pendray passed.

[@stektirade]

Ernest Sheffield oh it wasn't lost. You better believe they documented everything, especially with the Dr. Verhoeven

[@srinjoyroychoudhury7034]

It was never lost. It's just people didn't bother to look for it. It's pretty basic stuff in India.

[@tamatoa8261]

As a knife enthusiast that's obsessed with blade steel, this was the most interesting video I've seen.

[@exiletsj2570]

Great to see Mike is still doing what he does best. I grew up on his documentaries. I love how he breathes life into weapons and history. I still occasionally watch "Weapons That Made Britain" and others on KZbin. I'm hoping for another series of Time Commanders soon. Really enjoyed this documentary, more please!

[@TheMan-je5xq]

Exile 1 I’ve tried to get any of his documentaries that i can though I’m sure I’m missing some like Time Commanders. Wish I coulda seen this guy in action when he was young he musta been a bad ass lol

[@gorillafunk725]

Real eye opener to the dedication of those focused on finding the lost secrets of these legendary blades. A rare youtube gem

[@geraldstarr9950]

I watch this every few months, always feel bad for the Jordanian fella missing Mr Pendray’s technique. Thankfully he had the documentary and his colleague to relay the information. It’s so well presented, stunning work all round.

[@MrVvulf]

Matt Easton of Scholagladiatoria channel sent me here, and I'm grateful he did. Fantastic video, subbed and liked. RIP Al Pendray great smith and man.

[@crusaderzero3984]

Me too!

[@technodrone313]

Pretty cool seeing a "florida man" and a guy from the middle east sharing some knowledge and a little love.

[@Vicorcivius]

The European decendent taught the secret of forging a genuine Damascus Steel blade to a Decendent of the very ancients who likely pioneered the secret technique in the long forgotten age of real sword smiths. I wonder if sjw leftists would call this cultural appropriation? And claim this man to be racist?

[@paulesterline5714]

@@Vicorcivius how much of a bigoted a$$ hole does one have to be to see ANY hate in these men? (I am not calling you that, however if the shoe fits...) Wars are not between people, but between kings, dictators, and presidents that could care less about the people who die for what they want (there are a few exceptions, my statement is in general) and they don't care that people die that have no hatred for one another.

[@sarahnikas1344]

​@@paulesterline5714 "I am not calling you that, however the shoe fits" Man, I haven't seen a worse lie in my life. Props to Magicae for triggering the worst society has to offer. And for the record, wars are certainly fought between people and many, if not most wars were fought with heated national contention and not simply petty personal disputes between autocrats. SJWs seem to think the history of mankind involves evil authoritative oppressors preventing a world demographic of hippies from holding hands and singing kumbaya through threats of blood and iron. What a joke.

[@paulesterline5714]

@@sarahnikas1344 ah yea you totally missed what I said. Not even close.

[@andyhrp903]

Paul@ what did Sarah missed?

[@manoflego123]

Listening to this old, seasoned dude talk about advanced metallurgical techniques that border on straight up alchemy makes me so happy. Rest in Peace, legend.

[@fauja]

Thank you so much for posting this. I grew up around Wootz blades from India and had read some of Al’s work searching for answers about how it was made. I’ve always wondered what the process was and to see a master like Al at work is truly a blessing.

[@GrumpyYank26]

Like alchemy. These ancient and wise men are awesome to see work together. Makes me miss my dad. Curiosity, intelligence, skill, collaboration. Love this. Grateful and appreciative of this film and these men.

[@00Trademark00]

Mr. Loades, your documentaries, specifically Going Medieval and Weapons that Made Britain, are the reason I originally became interested in the middle ages - they dispelled so many of my (and unfortunately very common) misconceptions about the period and showed me that that part of history is at least as interesting and rich as the classical antiquity which I have always been fond of. Thank you and good luck with your future work and here on KZbin! This video is another great documentary of yours, I learned a lot from it. It's only a shame it ended on such a sad note.

[@pierrerossouw6083]

Best 50 minutes I have spent today. This needs a part 2, part 3.....

[@Linnir]

Fantastic documentary. Exactly what a doco should be - interesting and informative. I certainly learned what sets apart true Wootz from the rest. So sad Al died before he completed the work.

[@dreadthemadsmith]

I always love it when art meets science.

[@AGermanFencer]

It often does. Geometry is immensly important in medieval european art for example :)

[@dreadthemadsmith]

Science as opposed to Art meaning that one is exact measurements and techniques and one is more feeling and perception.

[@forexalised9053]

Art doesn't have to be feelings, my art is all measurements, techniques and structure. I don't even put feeling into my art whatsoever. Art is perception but mostly, it's representation. From feelings to practicality. Art can have so many meanings, you can't just tie it down to feeling and perception.

[@CharleyMathguy]

Dread, the Mad Smith z

[@cheesecakelasagna]

A lot of scientists/mathematicians/overall scholars are musicians.

[@GlassArtist07]

A remarkably informative video - the explanations and the process of creating this Woontz crucible steel is a real testimony to Pendray's dedication, and fundamental understanding of the material. This video should be on the required viewing list for anyone who wants to understand the ancient techniques, and the technical insights necessary to appreciate what 'Damascus steel' really was, and what it's becoming today.

[@BrettonFerguson]

It is also possible that the ore from the mine in Jordan may have had even better ore a thousand years ago. The best ore may have been mined out. What remains may be very similar, but not exactly the same as what remains today. It may have had more of one impurity and less of another.

[@johnlshilling1446]

Exactly. The number of variables in this process is mind blowing, to say the least. It seems to me that hitting upon the "secret recipe" through trial and error is virtually impossible, yet ancient craftsmen did so. And.., they did so, consistently.

[@gunnarschlichting9886]

@@johnlshilling1446 Reminds me how the recipe for Roman concrete includes seawater, but the written recipe just said water, so people who weren't on the coast that tried to reproduce it using freshwater always failed to make it. We only recently (I think around 2017) finally figured it out.

[@BigZ7337]

This was an excellent documentary, thank you so much for making it and putting it up on KZbin. This is the kind of content that I wish was on the History channel. I'd love to see a part 2 to this in some form where a blade is forged from the wootz steel. Thanks again. :)

[@eternalfire9009]

There is a "spiritual sequel" to this documentary that was produced by NOVA. I belive it was titled Secrets of the Viking Sword. Ric Ferrer of Door County Forge was commisiond to make a crucible steel then forge an Ulfbert sword from it.

[@PuerRidcully]

@@eternalfire9009 It's not about the same type of steel, so it hardly can be called a sequel, even a spiritual one.

[@probablynotdad6553]

@@PuerRidcully it's about an ancient lost art my guy, same vein.

[@JeffPDX1]

@@probablynotdad6553 Nope. Not even close.

[@probablynotdad6553]

@@JeffPDX1 yep, literally so close that they're siblings.

[@cityandsuburb]

How refreshing to witness a common interest, actually bridging the gap between North America & the Middle East. Superb programme too..!!

[@mickeyfilmer5551]

What an absolutely fascinating documentary. Sad that Al passed away before he realised his goal.

[@thomasschrank2606]

I’m currently writing a paper on Damascus steel for school and a classmate recommended this video and I’m very glad he did, this is an amazing video for learning purposes as well as a good history lesson!

[@anonymousuploader6147]

Wootz steel originated in Kodumanal, a small hamlet in Erode district of Tamil Nadu a southern state of India during 3rd century BC. The archeological excavations in that area in a period of 1975 to 1981, revealed numerous such metal swords. They also excavated Roman coins, belonging to the same era. Evidences found suggest that, these steels were exported to Persia, Sicily and other European and Arabic countries. In 1868 T H Henry was the person to find out the composition of the metal steel. It has carbon, silicon, arsenic, sulphur and such metals. They forged the steel by heating iron and wood powders for months at nearly 1400C making the carbon in the wood to be adsorbed on iron. The intricate patterns are the result of beating the iron ore to sword. After 1981, the change in government policies, and other such factors lead the site to be closed, and the work was abandoned. Now the place, is not even an archeological site, and people forgot these sites s generations passed by. It was until a few years ago, the government started its Archeological activities again.

[@chipum2fleming228]

well sounds like all Al's work was unnecessary, you can make it. But again if it was easily produced, using the methods you described you would already be doing it making yourself a fortune.

[@edwardrichard2561]

Interesting. It wouldn’t surprise me at all. India has some of the craziest weapons I’ve ever seen. Mostly I believe it’s because they would take cultures they interacted with and adopt the martial weapon instead of their ego getting in the way.

[@indique3477]

@Chipum 2 Fleming Don’t see what your gripe is about? So? Your point being? It does not change or detract from the fact that wootz steel had its origin in Southern India all of which are historically attested to. So what about Al’s work? It is not like he built on something new . In fact one can venture to say with all the technology available today such manufacturing of wootz steel should be easy. But that is not the case, which attests to the fact the uniqueness of those Indian metalworkers who had no such advance technological equipments to help them. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wootz_steel

[@TheSLK66]

I can tell these guys aren't regular folks who just learned the trade, they're metallurgists. They've definitely been taught about phase transitions, microstructure, mechanical properties and heat treatment of metals. Awesome documentary, really enjoyed it.

[@scottleft3672]

That is easy to learn....most modern blacksmiths are well versed in austenite/martesite behavior.

[@TheSLK66]

It's not about phase transformations in iron, these guys seem to understand the link between microstructure and mechanical properties, the proper conditions of heat treatment and basic microstructure analysis (Would have been better if they had an optical microscope though). Collecting all the things they seem to understand, it is very likely at least one of them is a metallurgist and not an average blacksmith.

[@nealsterling8151]

This was really fascinating! As someone who is rudimentary familiar with metal fabrication i am super amazed about the mastership of those people. Really great documentary!

[@englishpeter8768]

I watched this on a whim!! I am neither a swordsmith nor a metallurgist. I should simply like to say, this is one of the most interesting and infomative videos I have ever watched. My sincerest thanks.

[@dragonflymadfw]

I love how some good ol boys figured out the secret to the best middle eastern steel!

[@robertmetcalf2461]

Sorry to hear that Al had passed away. Amazing Craftsmanship

[@abbddos]

I read Verhoven article years ago, and the amazing thing to me was that the same steps I read and I watched right now have been told to me by an old Syrian swordsmaker who could barely read or write.

[@Master...deBater]

Hmmm...I smell bullshit!!! Why then did those Arab guys have to travel all the way to Florida to relearn the secrets of producing Wootz...when all they had to do was talk to you???

[@clcampbell85]

Pci Craftsman cool story bro america=safe wealthy people living in air conditioned homes with every modern comfort syria= dead bodies piled up on dirt streets

[@Archsorceror]

Awesome knowledge and very humbling to realise how little actually know about great historical civilizations and their amazing achievements. Thank you for sharing!

[@brianelkins8604]

As a blacksmith, I could almost feel the magic coming threw the screen. I loved this. Even simply watching this is magic and I would even say spiritual. I am so thankful I found this, and so thankful to all involved for the knew knowledge gained from them.

[@arwawer]

The work of those guys laid foundation of modern wootz making. Thank you very much John for sharing your papers with me. They were of great help while smelting my own almost-wootz. :) Thanks!

[@Mustafa.alhijjawi]

Amazing Thanks a lot. I was literally watching the documentary and wishing for it not to end.

[@jacklonghearse9821]

Hello Mike Loades. You got me into medieval things when I was a kid.

[@OutOfNamesToChoose]

Art Of Warring Same! I miss watching his documentaries alongside Time Team for hours on end.

[@jonny555ive]

What a great documentary, very well done. Much respect to all involved in making this very interesting film, I didn't know Damascus steel came out of natural or I thought you had to fold it and cut it and fold it and cut it. I've definitely learned something today Thank you all. It's kind of a bummer that he never did actually get the correct oar sample to complete his journey to finding the perfect mix of making authentic Damascus steel. Rest in peace Al. Much Respect sir.

[@zuhailishufller8046]

Matt Easton brings me here. This is very good and very well thought out.

[@mariocassina90]

me too

[@irritablearchitect]

Al is both a simple, humble man as well as a craftsman and a scholar.

[@2pikbone]

He was a scientist of the highest order.

[@Yeknodathon]

Excellent documentary, thanks to Matt Easton for sharing the link. The pattern is very pleasing and for me represents the flow and pattern of coordination, variation and opposition of something like fencing.

[@larrylund2682]

It is just magnificent to recreate the lost art of this special aspect of metal manipulation. I am in awe of these masters.

[@KingBladorthin]

Can't wait to see more. Hopefully you can do a follow up with the Jordanians one day.

[@loadesofhistory]

I too hope that that will be possible.

[@samdeboth1607]

This is absolutely fascinating as a knife maker. I did not know any of this even with a degree in metallurgical science. It is just incredibly fascinating

[@Kargush]

"A man may die yet still endure if his work enters the greater work, for time is carried upon a current of forgotten deeds, and events of great moment are but the culmination of a single carefully placed thought."

[@skivvy3565]

EXcellent, much better than all the trendy and viral ‘damascus’ steel misnomer videos

[@xman870096]

Although I've never forged a blade (I hope to do so some day) I've always been interested in the metallurgy that produces a superior steel and ultimately a blade worthy of being called a 'true Damascus' steel..... I am eager to see how this work progresses..... Thank you for a truly informative, educational and enjoyable video....

[@abhideepsingh4484]

These men are a perfect example of highly knowledgable and humble man who are similar to fruit trees. More the fruit, more they will bend down with humbleness!

[@craiganderson3170]

I learned a great deal here. # one is that I, like most people, thought Damascus was layered or folded steel. I did not know about Wootz. Now I want a knife made from it.

[@scottleft3672]

Damascine wallpaper, tapestries and curtains are the same effect....victorians loved it.

[@Eremon1]

I hope Al and his work in remaking Wootz isn't forgotten. Glad he was able to teach somebody his recipe before he passed.

[@thetruthexperiment]

Once they started talking about fresh leaves, and glass, it started to feel like I wasn’t supposed to know this stuff.

[@FishyFables]

hit the nail on the head i propose.

[@chrisjohnson4165]

Wonderful! Thanks for uploading this gem.

[@MrChrischi81]

Amazing program thank you

[@nlo114]

Sad that Al died, but good that part of a lifetime's knowledge has been preserved and passed on for the next generation.

[@Max_Flashheart]

Wootz Wootz now I know. Great work and Al Pendray is amazing.

[@joeconiglio]

Thank you. This was a very good story. Glad Nucor was part of the presentation. Very knowledgable people.

[@youtubevoice1050]

Great documentary! Matt Easton from scholagladiatoria recommended this, so here I am.

[@nealsterling8151]

Me too.

[@michaelhofer9149]

Thank you for posting this. Mr. Pendray was a true craftsman in all he showed in this video. I hope that the two Jordanian gentlemen continue to experiment with the ore from their country and the processes now resting with Mr. Pendray. Godspeed we shall meet again!

[@TheRedwall111]

THIS is real damascus, or close to it; definitely a step above the "damascus" pattern-welded steels on "Forged in Fire" and other overcommercialized nonsense

[@samshanker5753]

What are you saying

[@charliecrain1830]

Cuz it’s hot gahbage

[@chrismac2234]

That's what bugs me m8. People keep passing off pattern welding as Damascus steel. It's a whole different animal

[@underskillednunderpaid]

@@chrismac2234 So, by now there are 2 different variations. You have the real ancient damascus, long lost to history and now we have modern damascus, whether you like it or not pattern forge welded steel is now known as damascus as well

[@TarmanTheChampion]

Did you not watch this video? Damascus steel is not Wootz steel. Again wootz steel got its pattern without being folded or pattern welded.

[@edwardrichard2561]

I wish I had a smile as big as his when I have to go to work.

[@MrBandholm]

What a wonderful and interesting documentary!

[@kameelelian6044]

I'm new to the craft of knife making. Being born in Jordan 🇯🇴, being a citizen of this country as well as America . I was very surprised and happy to see that my two countries played a historical role in knife making

[@kg6itc]

Amazing, Inspiring, and Heartbreaking.

[@yelsmlaugh]

What a delightful story and beautiful telling of co-operation, expertise and getting your hands dirty.

[@jono6421]

RIP Al.

[@poonoi1968]

My long since past grandfather was a blacksmith. I used to enjoy helping him out in his little forge factory when I was a kid. How I wish I could have seen this documentary together with him.

[@oldneo4309]

Amazing documentary Thank you

[@Viktor_Johansson]

Fantastic documentary! I shall spread the word so more people finds it.

[@NoWokeSpeak]

As I am now, at age 50, learning about the blacksmith craft and its master craftsman, I loved this documentary and was heartbroken to find that Al Pendray passed away. The work he was doing to bring wootz steel back from the annuls of history was inspiring. I am a home cook that went from the beauty of food from around the world to the tools we use to make them. As my cooking progressed I found myself looking for the right tools of the trade for me when cooking which is how I found my way to blacksmithing. That love of cooking has transferred to this world of metallurgy as I searched to find the perfect material for my cooking knives. I have been told over and over that there is no such animal as a perfect material and yet my search goes on. I hope that some day I will have the experience and pleasure to possibly forge my own set of knives and absent of that, find someone that I can work with that can help me realize my dream of the perfect knife for me. It may eventually come out to be a fools errand but even if it does, in my eyes, there is no greater pursuit. Thank you for posting this video, I hope that someone has carried on this amazing man's legacy as a master smith and the pursuit of wootz steel.

[@ThePhil2801]

Fantastic Documentary, highly informative and entertaining.

[@ping170]

I can't say how educative an inspiring this documentary was, so simply thank you so much !

[@tisFrancesfault]

I wish luck on both Abd And Awni; It'd be nice to see some new, True Damascus swords.

[@andyhrp903]

Yeah me too wanna see damasc sword in action like to slash the crusader 's armor for example :))

[@0ptimal]

Clicked to see what the vibe was, no intention of actually watching. But I was hooked straight away, watched it all. Good stuff.

[@MRL86_]

Really, really wonderful and so inspiring, thank you. I would love to be be a blacksmith one day. Rip Al :(

[@scottleft3672]

get a hammer....heat a nail on a gas stove...use a lump hanmer as an anvil....pick up nail with pliers....tap then hit nail with hammer when nail is redish....viola !! you are on your way.

[@robertocamerlingo6281]

loved every second of it. this has inspired me to make my blacksmithing dream a reality

[@zackdavid9961]

God Bless Al Pendray. He is missed.

[@wilsonocasio8884]

This is better than that channel we used to have on tv about history.....

[@paulsalb1686]

Sorry to know that AL passed

[@harrytuttle8161]

I love this story . Real Damascus is not folded , it is magic .

[@sheep1ewe]

Wonderful! Good thet continued it. R.I.P. Al, we all miss men like You!

[@Deipnosophist_the_Gastronomer]

Watching Mr Pendray finesse that power hammer was amazing.

[@Desmond_Craine]

Thank you for great quality content! In my land we call wootz the BUŁAT.

[@yeiten007]

Information like this is a treasure for our generation and nxt........RIP Al sir.

[@djisydneyaustralia]

It's good to see this old man has a student. The reason why knowledge is lost is lack of students

[@RovingPunster]

Great video, and great metallurgical detective work. Came here from scholagladiatoria.

[@joelbahu9431]

World class production values, superb script, fantastic skill levels(you AND the smiths)!! My gosh, what a nice piece, you should be very proud!

[@greyareaRK1]

Fascinating.