Jim Wilkins wrote in news:016aaac0-c63b-4645-9fe7-
:

On Oct 31, 12:36*am, "RAM³" wrote:
wrote in news:5d8ac833-9c5e-4330-a07a-20db69035d49
@r15g2000prh.googlegroups.com:

i wonder, what actually makes folded steel better?

For what?

For swords?

It was better than the other primitive processes available before we
learned how to melt, alloy and analyze steel.


The OP's question was not limited to blades.

For knives, swords, and similar cutting implements the laminations offer
several advantages over homogeneous metal:
1. A central core metal can be surrounded by another with different
properties.
2. With the laminations running parallel to the spine of the blade,
the blade will retain its edge longer although sharpening may
take longer.
3. Aesthetics.

For other purposes, however, laminations can weaken rather than strengthen
the object made when compared to homogeneous metal.

That's why I asked the question. G