Reproducing crucible steel: a practical guide and a comparative analysis to Persian manuscripts

Abstract

Different terms are used in old Persian manuscripts, such as Ta’id Besârat , to define and refer to crucible or watered steel and different types of swords. However, there are few manuscripts that describe the way crucible steel cakes and blades were made such as the manuscript Gŏharnâme . The present article deals with the making of crucible steel as described in Persian manuscripts and also with a new reproduction process of making crucible steel as conducted by the Finnish smith Niko Hynninen.