| Its possible you have heard of Damascus steel, | | | | climate, wore a chain mail light enough to provide |
| particularly if you are familiar with old swords, | | | | them mobility yet strong enough to stop |
| knives and guns. A book, The Art and Beauty of | | | | European blades, and used weapons made of a |
| Damascus Steel, was recently written on the | | | | steel so well-forged that it bent under pressure |
| subject. While this treatment of the topic might | | | | without breaking, yet held an edge so sharp it |
| not do the book justice, Damascus steel is quite | | | | could cleave a man in half with only the force |
| beautiful and holds much mystery. | | | | behind one arm. What was the secret steel of |
| During the long years of the Crusades, the armies | | | | the Near East; itâs forging guarded so |
| of Europe found themselves badly outnumbered. | | | | well by the sword smiths of Syria? That steel |
| Not only were there more Saracens than | | | | was called Damascus steel, a term used by the |
| Crusaders in the Holy Land, but also the armies of | | | | Crusaders to describe the metal used by the |
| Islam were much better equipped. They rode | | | | artisans and sword smiths of Damascus, Syria. |
| sleek, swift horses bred for the hot desert | | | | |