San Mai / Damascus vs Shirogami #1

San Mai ('three-layer') is the classic Japanese lamination: a hard carbon steel core (hagane) forge-welded between two layers of softer iron or steel (jigane). This produces a blade that takes a razor edge while the body provides toughness to resist chipping. Damascus refers to visible pattern-welded variants with dozens of alternating layers. Both traditions originate in functional necessity; the patterns visible in polished Damascus are a by-product of functional metallurgy, not decoration.

Pure high-carbon steel with minimal impurities. Takes a laser-like edge and is easy to sharpen, but more brittle than Aogami. The traditional choice of master woodworkers who demand the finest possible cutting edge and sharpen their tools with religious dedication. Rust forms overnight if neglected.