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 which adds carbon to the steel. They did this work in India, true, and the Arabs prized their Damascus blades highly since they were both tough [did not break during battle, which is a major plus] and carried a very sharp and durable edge.
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
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Wow; if that's the modern way what did they do in ancient times!