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 :).
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Um yeah....the real wootz crucible Damascus steel contained carbon nano tubes this fact was found after investigating its micro structure using electron microscopy they really wanted to know why it was sooo light they also never needed sharpening, I applaud old AL but if his reproduction is absent this detail then the secret still has not been discovered, by the way I can show you how the nunchaku was really used and definitely does not suck ...SHAD!!!
@the truth is at hand go to Shad’s channel. He has a fairly recent video (maybe 2 weeks from today) where that actually gets mentioned. Go check it out it’s pretty good.
Why does it seem that these dudes are most worried about the color pattern. I love seeing the process and research that they do, but they seem to be worried about the coloring and chemical content most. Last year I read an article about wootz steel, saying that they discovered that there were microscopic structures running throughout the blade called nanotubes. They stated in the article that they still have no idea how to recreate these structures in any way in any steel. Sadly, I don't know the name of this article, but I distinctly remember the information that I have stated. But, yeah, I would like to hear your input.
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!
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.
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.
Love this, it’s wonderful that they got some metallurgists from the region where woots was traditionally made, seeing their forefathers history unfold before their eyes.
Beg'pardon Mat, didn't see you in here..... (Reverentially touches peak of cap.....!) Thanks for the heads-up on this fascinating document, I understand now, your reticence in describing the blade featured in the 'rust-removal-video' - as Wootz.... although it held certain synonymous characteristics.
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.
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 KZclip. I'm hoping for another series of Time Commanders soon. Really enjoyed this documentary, more please!
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
It is a shame Mr. Pendray wasn't approached by the Jordanians with this project a little earlier than they did. I have no doubt Mr. Pendray would have produced a blade that rivaled the ancient ones. Rest in peace sir.....Thank you for posting.
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 KZclip! 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.
This was an excellent documentary, thank you so much for making it and putting it up on KZclip. 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. :)
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.
Great documentary. I'm so happy to see one of my personal heroes is now of KZclip and producing amazing content. Mr. Loades, you're the reason why I'm currently doing my graduate studies in history. I'm so glad that Matt Easton pointed me in the direction of your new channel. Looking forward to learning from you, sir.
It happens that the secret of wootz steel was not lost, since it is described by Indian and British sources in the 19th century. Just make a research and you will find the original texts. In Spain, this steel was imported and worked into scientific instruments, according with the Spanish sources from the same century. Other Spanish sources mention that the Moors also worked there wootz steel into weapons. If the secret was lost, how is that Pendray added leaves to the formula following the old recipe? Justin Exito? Do you speak spanish?
This is wonderful! It was so heartwarming to see the warmth and camaraderie shown among the Americans and the Syrians. They are true master swordsmiths and seeing them sharing their combined knowledge and experience was such a lovely thing. Thanks for sharing this! ⚔️
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!
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....
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.
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.
I don’t understand how someone can give this a thumbs down... The content and explanations are beautifully done... and if you knew anything about the culture Southwest Asia you would that there is great wisdom at work from all these gentlemen in the video... my hats off to all in the video, and I would be very honored to even own a bar of the metal... great work gentlemen and keep up the hard work...
What a fine man Al was. He will be missed, so very missed. I love the mutual respect and appreciation all the people involved have for one another. Hopefully the work can continue with Al's apprentice and one day they will produce real, unadulterated Wootz Damascus steel. Please provide updates on the continued quest and thank you for this video!
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!
This is the most enlightening and educational how to video I’ve seen. Hoping that the interest will continue so that others take the time and effort to keep this amazing Art alive. Thanks to all who came before and those that brought it back to life.
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.
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.
The VI-Kings had their own version of Damascus steel called Crucible steel that they lovingly named +Ulfbhert+ steel. In days long gone by they were Masters of Metallurgy, the true experts in metallurgy (their lives and livelihoods depended on it..big difference) and they could teach us more than a thing or two today! Harver, the guys in this vid did a damn good reproduction job bravo kudos and Salut!
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.
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.
Interesting stuff thanks. I slake my own lime putty and when you talked about the Wootz steel being able to bend and not shatter it made me think about a mineral called 'phillipsite'. The Romans discovered that when volcanic ash was mixed with lime putty and submerged in sea water it produced the mineral which made the finished mortar bend and not shatter when under stress. It apparently takes about 10 years for this mineral to be formed and means that Roman harbours walls are stronger today than when they were first built. For the record I thought that the steel in Japanese samurai blades made them the strongest and sharpest, so how does that compare with Wootz steel?
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.
I wish I could have know Al. I’ll remember what he learned and taught. Al’s patient and more importantly his kind nature, was every bit as important as the process and materials themselves. Men like Al are the real treasure.
I think Al has cracked the process, bu I have seen a very harsher method of production that yields a more consistent monolithic result. I haven't seen it done on a sword length scale, but it's consistency is remarkably unique. Al is cautious at the forging which is a hallmark of a well experienced bladesmith so as not to disturb the intrinsic microstructure of piece. His knowledge of the chemical and mechanical properties of the product is highly exceptional.
This video is so educational for anyone who is interested in getting into forging swords or knives. I hope this information will be kept for a very long time
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.
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!
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!
That's very interesting. I had been watching various blacksmithing/knife making videos, and eventually came across this. I was not aware that "true" Damascus steel was really a very different thing from all the pattern welded damask (i.e. folded) or "Damascus" steel I had been seeing made. The video (of course) uses the term "Wootz" a lot, but doesn't say anything about the origin of the word. I'm not even seeing anything at the Wikipedia page (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wootz_steel) about the etymology of "Wootz". I'm guessing that was not a term in use at the time of Saladin, perhaps not even in the 1850's?
Thank you so much for sharing. It is always sad to lose an authentic craftsman and master of a trade. Also thank you for presenting a true expert in the metallurgy field. I knew there was a reason so many want to mimic the beauty and strength of the namesake of this material. But thanks to this video, I now know the truth about Damascus iron.
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.
Mike. Been a fan since I first saw WEAPON MASTERS on the Military channel. I've still got the whole series. Thanks so much for this amazing look into a world not seen by many. Blessings!
THANK YOU!! This was one of THE most fascinating documentaries i have had the pleasure of viewing. Mr Mike Loades, you have done an outstanding job wiith this material. It is truly sad that Al died before being able to push the envelope with the properties of the Jordanian ore. I can only hope there are further videos posted on this subject.
Awesome knowledge and very humbling to realise how little actually know about great historical civilizations and their amazing achievements. Thank you for sharing!
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.
I am Brazillian and came up to this video by watching some blades / weapons forging and wow, what an amazing piece of art. Thanks for sharing this, I hope they really find out again the true method of how to create wootz damascus steel.
An incredibly interesting and well done documentary. RIP Mr Pendray. I hope your apprentice shares your knowledge and can carry it forward to the coming generations. It shows how modern pattern welded steel (while an art form in itself) is sub par when compared to the knowledge that ancient and more modern smiths held in their art. It amazes me that that the knowledge of this form of steel only died out in the mid 19th century. How much did we lose when industrial processes began to take over traditional methods across all manufacturing processes?
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.
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!
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
Very en-lighting, and to watch the labor and knowledge by a true smiths-man has me in awe,,Thanks to all that were involved in making and shared this documentary.
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!
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.
Im 23 years old, but seeing all this knowledge what they have after all these years of working wíth metal is so damn fascinating and I have to say well done! Its amazing!
Found this on the random KZclip list because I look at a lot of historical postings. "Wootz" caught my eye because the only other time I've seen it is in the second book of Neal Stephenson's historical fiction trilogy, "The Baroque Cycle." Highly recommended - Stephenson uses a very accurate recounting of wootz preparation with charcoal and heat, down to the addition of leaves as a plot device. I wonder where he came by that information.
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.
We have been in touch on the research of Dr. Verhoeven and Al Pendray over the years. The loss of Al Pendray to the industry is going to leave people doing some catching up on the subject. Much thanks to Mr.Loades for this documentary.
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
Excellent video on Wootz steel. Thank you so much for posting this. I had so many questions regarding wootz vs damascus vs pattern welding, and this video answered them all. Thank you.
This is a truly well spent 50 mins in my life. I love knives and always have a soft spot in my heart for a beautifully patterned Damascus blade. After seeing the entire video, it made clear to me why people say the modern Damascus is not the real Damascus. It was difficult to understand what a real Damascus is just going through forums and articles, but this video really shined the light on me. Thank you very much for the upload!
Imagine, a couple thousand years ago they made this steel without computers or microscopy, thermometers even. The only had decades of apprenticeship and a kingdom who needed their art.
@R Rifai for your kind information INDIA was in islamic rule for 3 century (not fully occupied, without any opposition, and this is including all inveders )if we combine every invader then it is 300 years and india was in islamic rule (full control in their area) then its 70 to 80 years this is history of so called islamic rule Now wootz It was present in the era of THE GREAT KING PURUSHOTAM means 2000 year back and in INDIA we recycle broken swords we make knikes from it so tgere is no chance to find a old sword or weapon in any archeological site .
Now this is the most interesting docu about Wootz Damascus that I've seen. There are lots of video's about making Damast steel made from chains, which sounds blasphemeous (nevertheless an art in forging, but no damascus steel to me). All details like Vanadium content, Sulfur contamination,... are mentioned as well. Well done Peeps. Rest in peace, Al.
This documentary is so fucking good, I think about it all the time when I'm watching KZclip. As an amateur collector and history enthusiast, I'd always been curious about Damascus. I've watched many people make their own (thanks Forged in Fire) and I understand how modern pattern-welded steel works, as well as rudimentary basics on the different types of tool steel in use today. I've seen $50 Amazon knives with laser-etched "Damascus" pattern; I've watched a dude make a billet out of meteorites and steel powder and forge a pattern-welded blade out of that. I guess what I'm trying to say in short is that "Damascus" is a catch-all term for anything that has wavy patterns now. So thank you for stepping in and clearing up the confusion. Now I watch another guy make his own Wootz crucible steel, melting shit together and adding in charcoal and glass...in the end he makes beautiful $1000 Damascus pattern blades, but they ain't from the ores of Persia, so I'm not sure he can call it Wootz or Damascus right?
Gosh darn I love a righteous man performing his craft. This is essentially his work of art, life itself. It might seem mundane, it might seem "everyday", but in truth, this man is smelting and shaping our collective futures, as well as forming his own.
Very informative and i like how the fake western style is great but the real Damascus steel is priceless. The story and historical facts flowed as the best blade smith worked. Thanks for sharing
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 :).
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.
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.
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
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.
True , working with such a soft, cheerful , happy , enthusiastic & patient Man in any research field ,……….a dream !
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.
@paddyglenny Maybe a Wootzman...
@Tom P Maybe it was a woman....
Better, can you imagine who the first guy was that figured out how to make steel from iron ore.
Unbelievable really. Amazing too.
You can try to look at ancient katana and keris blacksmith techniques.
Al Pendray's death was such a tragic loss not just for his family but for the world as well. R.I.P
Loved it!
Um yeah....the real wootz crucible Damascus steel contained carbon nano tubes this fact was found after investigating its micro structure using electron microscopy they really wanted to know why it was sooo light they also never needed sharpening, I applaud old AL but if his reproduction is absent this detail then the secret still has not been discovered, by the way I can show you how the nunchaku was really used and definitely does not suck ...SHAD!!!
@the truth is at hand go to Shad’s channel. He has a fairly recent video (maybe 2 weeks from today) where that actually gets mentioned. Go check it out it’s pretty good.
Why does it seem that these dudes are most worried about the color pattern. I love seeing the process and research that they do, but they seem to be worried about the coloring and chemical content most. Last year I read an article about wootz steel, saying that they discovered that there were microscopic structures running throughout the blade called nanotubes. They stated in the article that they still have no idea how to recreate these structures in any way in any steel. Sadly, I don't know the name of this article, but I distinctly remember the information that I have stated. But, yeah, I would like to hear your input.
Thank you for sending me to this video. 💜 it.
Left one of your videos for this 😳
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!
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.
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.
Wonderful stuff Mike, thanks so much for everything you do. Please more!!
Yes, please keep making them but we don't need an ad every 5 minutes!!!!!
What is suitable tamperature for melt all material wootz steel at forge furnance process...?
Love this, it’s wonderful that they got some metallurgists from the region where woots was traditionally made, seeing their forefathers history unfold before their eyes.
@Lobster11
Unlike you Lobster11, who exhibits the perfect distillation of public ignorance with so few words.....damned impressive my boy....
Beg'pardon Mat, didn't see you in here.....
(Reverentially touches peak of cap.....!)
Thanks for the heads-up on this fascinating document, I understand now, your reticence in describing the blade featured in the 'rust-removal-video' - as Wootz.... although it held certain synonymous characteristics.
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.
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 KZclip. I'm hoping for another series of Time Commanders soon. Really enjoyed this documentary, more please!
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
It is a shame Mr. Pendray wasn't approached by the Jordanians with this project a little earlier than they did. I have no doubt Mr. Pendray would have produced a blade that rivaled the ancient ones. Rest in peace sir.....Thank you for posting.
What an absolutely fascinating documentary. Sad that Al passed away before he realised his goal.
Wootz is such a fascinating topic, so I'm glad to see more long-form videos of talented blacksmiths exploring it!
Thanks for sharing.
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 KZclip! 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.
This was an excellent documentary, thank you so much for making it and putting it up on KZclip. 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. :)
@JeffPDX1 yep, literally so close that they're siblings.
@Probably Not Dad Nope. Not even close.
@Piotr it's about an ancient lost art my guy, same vein.
@Eternal Fire It's not about the same type of steel, so it hardly can be called a sequel, even a spiritual one.
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.
Great documentary. I'm so happy to see one of my personal heroes is now of KZclip and producing amazing content. Mr. Loades, you're the reason why I'm currently doing my graduate studies in history. I'm so glad that Matt Easton pointed me in the direction of your new channel. Looking forward to learning from you, sir.
It happens that the secret of wootz steel was not lost, since it is described by Indian and British sources in the 19th century. Just make a research and you will find the original texts. In Spain, this steel was imported and worked into scientific instruments, according with the Spanish sources from the same century. Other Spanish sources mention that the Moors also worked there wootz steel into weapons. If the secret was lost, how is that Pendray added leaves to the formula following the old recipe?
Justin Exito? Do you speak spanish?
This is wonderful! It was so heartwarming to see the warmth and camaraderie shown among the Americans and the Syrians. They are true master swordsmiths and seeing them sharing their combined knowledge and experience was such a lovely thing. Thanks for sharing this! ⚔️
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!
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....
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.
It is just magnificent to recreate the lost art of this special aspect of metal manipulation. I am in awe of these masters.
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.
I don’t understand how someone can give this a thumbs down... The content and explanations are beautifully done... and if you knew anything about the culture Southwest Asia you would that there is great wisdom at work from all these gentlemen in the video... my hats off to all in the video, and I would be very honored to even own a bar of the metal... great work gentlemen and keep up the hard work...
It requires patience to watch - it doesn't follow the dramatising story arch of most "documentaries".
What a fine man Al was. He will be missed, so very missed. I love the mutual respect and appreciation all the people involved have for one another. Hopefully the work can continue with Al's apprentice and one day they will produce real, unadulterated Wootz Damascus steel. Please provide updates on the continued quest and thank you for this video!
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!
Amazing documentary. The numerous steps and techniques required to make this legendary steel is mind-blowing.
This is the most enlightening and educational how to video I’ve seen. Hoping that the interest will continue so that others take the time and effort to keep this amazing Art alive. Thanks to all who came before and those that brought it back to life.
World class production values, superb script, fantastic skill levels(you AND the smiths)!! My gosh, what a nice piece, you should be very proud!
Huge fan Mr. Loads, your work inspired me to major in history! You alone have taught me so much, thank you!
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.
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.
What a fascinating video. It was fantastic to see Al at work. He is a true master in metallurgy. Thanks for the upload!
RIP Al. What a great man. May God bless him.
The VI-Kings had their own version of Damascus steel called Crucible steel that they lovingly named +Ulfbhert+ steel. In days long gone by they were Masters of Metallurgy, the true experts in metallurgy (their lives and livelihoods depended on it..big difference) and they could teach us more than a thing or two today! Harver, the guys in this vid did a damn good reproduction job bravo kudos and Salut!
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.
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.
Interesting stuff thanks. I slake my own lime putty and when you talked about the Wootz steel being able to bend and not shatter it made me think about a mineral called 'phillipsite'. The Romans discovered that when volcanic ash was mixed with lime putty and submerged in sea water it produced the mineral which made the finished mortar bend and not shatter when under stress.
It apparently takes about 10 years for this mineral to be formed and means that Roman harbours walls are stronger today than when they were first built.
For the record I thought that the steel in Japanese samurai blades made them the strongest and sharpest, so how does that compare with Wootz steel?
Real eye opener to the dedication of those focused on finding the lost secrets of these legendary blades. A rare youtube gem
Thanks so much for making this, Mike. It was inspiring, to say the least. Please, keep up the good work.
Just came across this as I am looking to get back into blacksmithing. It is an inspiring documentary. Thank you for uploading it.
I can't say how educative an inspiring this documentary was, so simply thank you so much !
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.
thanks for sharing your story as well.
I'd love to see you make videos detailing this and any related stories you have to tell.
Damn good documentary.
Damn good documentary. A person from India. P.N.Jha
I wish I could have know Al. I’ll remember what he learned and taught. Al’s patient and more importantly his kind nature, was every bit as important as the process and materials themselves. Men like Al are the real treasure.
I think Al has cracked the process, bu I have seen a very harsher method of production that yields a more consistent monolithic result. I haven't seen it done on a sword length scale, but it's consistency is remarkably unique. Al is cautious at the forging which is a hallmark of a well experienced bladesmith so as not to disturb the intrinsic microstructure of piece. His knowledge of the chemical and mechanical properties of the product is highly exceptional.
I very much appreciate being taught the difference between pattern welded steel and Damascus steel. Great video.
This video is so educational for anyone who is interested in getting into forging swords or knives. I hope this information will be kept for a very long time
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.
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!
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!
That's very interesting. I had been watching various blacksmithing/knife making videos, and eventually came across this. I was not aware that "true" Damascus steel was really a very different thing from all the pattern welded damask (i.e. folded) or "Damascus" steel I had been seeing made. The video (of course) uses the term "Wootz" a lot, but doesn't say anything about the origin of the word. I'm not even seeing anything at the Wikipedia page (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wootz_steel) about the etymology of "Wootz". I'm guessing that was not a term in use at the time of Saladin, perhaps not even in the 1850's?
Thank you so much for sharing. It is always sad to lose an authentic craftsman and master of a trade. Also thank you for presenting a true expert in the metallurgy field. I knew there was a reason so many want to mimic the beauty and strength of the namesake of this material. But thanks to this video, I now know the truth about Damascus iron.
So much knowledge was in Al’s head. This is the best blacksmithing documentary I’ve seen on KZclip.
Absolutely fascinating. Al’s age intelligence knowledge and perseverance produced an almost authentic Wooten Damascus steel !!
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.
Mike. Been a fan since I first saw WEAPON MASTERS on the Military channel. I've still got the whole series. Thanks so much for this amazing look into a world not seen by many. Blessings!
THANK YOU!! This was one of THE most fascinating documentaries i have had the pleasure of viewing. Mr Mike Loades, you have done an outstanding job wiith this material. It is truly sad that Al died before being able to push the envelope with the properties of the Jordanian ore. I can only hope there are further videos posted on this subject.
Thanks Mike, it is an absolute privilege to watch these Masters at work. I envy their passion'
Awesome knowledge and very humbling to realise how little actually know about great historical civilizations and their amazing achievements. Thank you for sharing!
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.
Really, really wonderful and so inspiring, thank you. I would love to be be a blacksmith one day. Rip Al :(
Exceptional talent, experience, knowledge and commitment. Amazing experience to rediscover Salah Uddin Damascus steel. Great job and best of luck.
I am Brazillian and came up to this video by watching some blades / weapons forging and wow, what an amazing piece of art. Thanks for sharing this, I hope they really find out again the true method of how to create wootz damascus steel.
This was amazing. Love watching Pendray and Verhoeven at work, having read their journal articles before.
Yes, this exactly for me as well ^
An incredibly interesting and well done documentary. RIP Mr Pendray. I hope your apprentice shares your knowledge and can carry it forward to the coming generations. It shows how modern pattern welded steel (while an art form in itself) is sub par when compared to the knowledge that ancient and more modern smiths held in their art. It amazes me that that the knowledge of this form of steel only died out in the mid 19th century. How much did we lose when industrial processes began to take over traditional methods across all manufacturing processes?
Mike never stop making stuff like this, You make historie come to life
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.
I hope Al and his work in remaking Wootz isn't forgotten. Glad he was able to teach somebody his recipe before he passed.
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!
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
Very en-lighting, and to watch the labor and knowledge by a true smiths-man has me in awe,,Thanks to all that were involved in making and shared this documentary.
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!
I always love it when art meets science.
A lot of scientists/mathematicians/overall scholars are musicians.
Dread, the Mad Smith z
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.
Science as opposed to Art meaning that one is exact measurements and techniques and one is more feeling and perception.
It often does. Geometry is immensly important in medieval european art for example :)
Im 23 years old, but seeing all this knowledge what they have after all these years of working wíth metal is so damn fascinating and I have to say well done! Its amazing!
Love this. Super cool to watch modern masters still learning.
Recently watched a video explaining the difference between woots and modern pattern steel. This is a great documentary.
I make sculpture , some of it forged steel. I have always been in awe of Damascus steel , and after watching this , even more so. great work !
Found this on the random KZclip list because I look at a lot of historical postings. "Wootz" caught my eye because the only other time I've seen it is in the second book of Neal Stephenson's historical fiction trilogy, "The Baroque Cycle." Highly recommended - Stephenson uses a very accurate recounting of wootz preparation with charcoal and heat, down to the addition of leaves as a plot device. I wonder where he came by that information.
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.
We have been in touch on the research of Dr. Verhoeven and Al Pendray over the years. The loss of Al Pendray to the industry is going to leave people doing some catching up on the subject. Much thanks to Mr.Loades for this documentary.
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
Wonderful documentary. Thank you to all involved!
Fantastic doco, and I hope this will help preserve Al's techniques and artistry.
Excellent video on Wootz steel. Thank you so much for posting this. I had so many questions regarding wootz vs damascus vs pattern welding, and this video answered them all. Thank you.
Excellent documentary. Thank you for making this, sir
This is a truly well spent 50 mins in my life. I love knives and always have a soft spot in my heart for a beautifully patterned Damascus blade. After seeing the entire video, it made clear to me why people say the modern Damascus is not the real Damascus. It was difficult to understand what a real Damascus is just going through forums and articles, but this video really shined the light on me. Thank you very much for the upload!
If funny that t people long ago reach for the pure metals and now we look to blend metals ....
Truly inspiring. Dedication and cooperation coupled with love of the craft produces beauty.
Those men were amazing, bringing back history, don't let this work disappear again.
Nothing today compares with " Old World Craftsmanship ". Great to see the ancient secrets being rediscovered.
This is an awesome documentary, thank you! I’m really interested in blacksmithing and want to try my hand at it, I should probably take a few classes!
Imagine, a couple thousand years ago they made this steel without computers or microscopy, thermometers even. The only had decades of apprenticeship and a kingdom who needed their art.
@brollona Maharaja Purushotam aka PORUS given options to Alexander 1 gold and 2 iron (wootz)
This proves that wootz is older than we think
@therugburnz Couple thousand years!?! It was mid century as I remember.
@Dooday no i dont think that was the case cause Anciant Indian metallurgy was way advance
The mine was not the problem
@Dooday tamilnadu is the last place where wootz was made
Before that wootz was made all over INDIA
@R Rifai for your kind information INDIA was in islamic rule for 3 century (not fully occupied, without any opposition, and this is including all inveders )if we combine every invader then it is 300 years and india was in islamic rule (full control in their area) then its 70 to 80 years this is history of so called islamic rule
Now wootz
It was present in the era of THE GREAT KING PURUSHOTAM means 2000 year back and in INDIA we recycle broken swords we make knikes from it so tgere is no chance to find a old sword or weapon in any archeological site .
Now this is the most interesting docu about Wootz Damascus that I've seen. There are lots of video's about making Damast steel made from chains, which sounds blasphemeous (nevertheless an art in forging, but no damascus steel to me). All details like Vanadium content, Sulfur contamination,... are mentioned as well. Well done Peeps. Rest in peace, Al.
loved every second of it. this has inspired me to make my blacksmithing dream a reality
This documentary is so fucking good, I think about it all the time when I'm watching KZclip. As an amateur collector and history enthusiast, I'd always been curious about Damascus. I've watched many people make their own (thanks Forged in Fire) and I understand how modern pattern-welded steel works, as well as rudimentary basics on the different types of tool steel in use today. I've seen $50 Amazon knives with laser-etched "Damascus" pattern; I've watched a dude make a billet out of meteorites and steel powder and forge a pattern-welded blade out of that. I guess what I'm trying to say in short is that "Damascus" is a catch-all term for anything that has wavy patterns now. So thank you for stepping in and clearing up the confusion. Now I watch another guy make his own Wootz crucible steel, melting shit together and adding in charcoal and glass...in the end he makes beautiful $1000 Damascus pattern blades, but they ain't from the ores of Persia, so I'm not sure he can call it Wootz or Damascus right?
This is my third time watching this documentary in the span of 2 years I think. Al is definitely a master in this art.
What a great story. Time travel by metallurgy and the forge. Nice job!
Can't wait to see more. Hopefully you can do a follow up with the Jordanians one day.
I too hope that that will be possible.
Gosh darn I love a righteous man performing his craft. This is essentially his work of art, life itself. It might seem mundane, it might seem "everyday", but in truth, this man is smelting and shaping our collective futures, as well as forming his own.
Very informative and i like how the fake western style is great but the real Damascus steel is priceless. The story and historical facts flowed as the best blade smith worked. Thanks for sharing
Al is both a simple, humble man as well as a craftsman and a scholar.
He was a scientist of the highest order.