SharpEdge Bunka Black Damascus Knife

Acid etching wasn't practiced on metal during the time if wootz steel. I speak 8 languages, have studied etymology, and am well aware of the mechanics of language. In the case, calling one thing by the wrong name is called a misnomer, or more often just stupidity. Damascus, until the later part of last century, referenced to steel made in Damascus that contained the water like pattern common to fabric in that area, not fold welded steel as the pattern did not emerge as a result of folding. Damascus steel is also unique in that it contains carbon nanotubes. The pattern emerged after some exposure to air, it never underwent any form of etching. Semantics are not semantics when you are using a word that means something else, even if it is because you lack vocabulary.

The patterns are *due* to impurities though. You have plenty of Wootz steel creations with no patterns or colouration at all. It was also commonplace for Wootz steel to be acid-etched like modern "damascus" to enhance patterns. But yeah, bud, you really have to learn about the concept of language. It's not a solid, hard construct. It's fluid & it changes. The important term here is wootz (which itself was a mistranslation of Wook iirc) - Not damascus. Damascus has for the better part of several centuries referred to a knife with patterned metal, most often achieved by folded metals of comparatively superior grade to Wootz, hence the need for etching to REALLY bring out the patterns (due to the lack of impurities & uncombined carbon) Semantics are well and fun but this is bordering on the absurd.

Well, Wikipedia references books that state the wootz definition. Oed does but you need a subscription to use their site, Webster says nothing about cladding, it just gives a very vague definition. The definition of Damascus never changed, a few Americans just started using it improperly as a buzz word.