I had a friend who went to a knife maker in FL some 25-30 years ago and stayed while learning how to forge Damascus blades. After he got good at it I spent a couple days with him watching the process from start to finish.

His blades typically began with five alternated layers of carbon and nickel content steel, and ended in 320 layers. He made me five knives before he gave it up due to age. I treasure them. They are extremely high quality blades.

May God bless America and those who defend her.