Filmmaker Captures the Creation of a Damascus Steel Sword in Gorgeous 8K

Cinematographer Phil Holland used an 8K camera to film professional swordsmith and master armorer Tony Swatton forging a Damascus steel sword.

Swatton is a London-based blacksmith and gemcutter who has made props for films including Pirates of the Caribbean, The Last Samurai and The Legend of Zorro.

"This video documents Tony over the course of several days as he forges and constructs a modern take on a Roman Gladius Sword that features Damascus steel," Holland explained.

"I've always found damascus to be one the most beautiful ways to craft a blade. In this case there's a 93 layer damascus technique in the blade, twisted in the grip, and in detailed pieces throughout the guard and pommel nut. The finish of the blade maintains a darkness, yet still captures a shine from the light."

Weapons made with Damascus steel became popular between 200-400 AD and were often bartering items in the city of Damascus. Alexander the Great reputedly had swords made of Damascus steel, and its remarkable characteristics first became known to Europe when the Crusaders reached the Middle East, beginning in the 11th century. 

To this day, no one knows the exact elements and heat components that secretive ancient swordsmiths used to produce Damascus steel, but it is known that the blades were made with wootz steel imported from Southern India. 

The blades are characterized by distinctive patterns of banding and mottling reminiscent of flowing water, a pattern created when sword smiths begin to hammer and weld strips of steel and iron together which is followed by heating and forging repeatedly.