Contemporary Smith's and knife makers do some very high end artfull creations using layered steel. SOme years ago I was heavilly invested in 18th Century American colonial reenactment where a Damascas blade was Verbotten! During that period in the COlonies making layered steel was a lost art.

I recently discovered that during the Crusades thousands of Damascas swords were brought back to England. It's would seem very likly to me that not a few of these blades became dirks and sghin dubs.