Hand rubbed Damascus is a very popular style of steel that the forge was created with. It gives it the particular visually appealing pattern that makes this type of steel so unique. The term "Damascus steel" refers to a kind of iron or steel made in a process developed in Damascus, Syria, during the Middle Ages and introduced into Europe through Turkey. The term is also sometimes used as an adjective to describe objects made from Damascus steel. The true Damascus sword is one made from Damascene steel - is not a modern technique to re-create the Damascus effect. The original production process was lost for centuries but, forgers have been able to recreate the process using modern techniques and equipment. Only two groups, Mastersmiths Craig Russel and Peter Johnsson, have been able to independently rediscover how to produce true Damascus steel. There are three main types of Damascus steels: pattern-welded steel rubbed Damascus and stacked Damascus. Pattern welded steel is the earliest form and is created by forging multiple layers of differing (typically iron, but also doped with other elements) steels as a "slab" and then cutting the slab into bars. The bars are then forged and welded together, creating a pattern in the steel and this process can be repeated many times. Rubbed Damascus is created by folding, twisting, or combining steel strips to create a pattern on one side. The patterned metal is then forged and welded to a solid core. Stacked Damascus is created by forging welding several layers of metal together: the more layers, the more flexible and stronger the finished product. The stacked metal is folded back on itself, creating a layering effect that creates a pattern similar to that of pattern-welded steel. Note that there are many other ways to create reproductions of Damascus steels and some modern patterns have nearly nothing in common with the original Damascus products.