Traditional Damascus steel, also known as Wootz Damascus steel, was made using a specific steel-making process that is no longer practiced. The exact composition and manufacturing techniques used in traditional Damascus steel production have been lost to time.

Historically, Wootz Damascus steel was made from a type of crucible steel. It involved smelting a mixture of iron ore, charcoal, and other additives in a clay crucible. The iron ore used was often sourced from specific regions known for their high-quality iron, such as India and Sri Lanka. The specific additives used in the process varied and could include materials like wood, plants, or even bones.

The smelting process was performed in a furnace, where the crucible containing the iron mixture was heated to high temperatures and subjected to multiple cycles of heating and cooling. This process helped refine the steel, removing impurities and achieving a high-carbon content.

The resulting steel had distinctive properties, such as a fine crystalline structure and a high level of carbon. It was known for its strength, sharpness, and the ability to create the characteristic Damascus patterns upon etching.

In modern times, the term "Damascus steel" is more commonly used to refer to steel with a layered construction and a visible pattern, rather than the specific Wootz Damascus steel. Modern interpretations of Damascus steel are typically created through pattern welding or forge welding, where different steel alloys are layered and bonded together. The specific steel alloys used in modern Damascus steel can vary and may include combinations of high-carbon and low-carbon steels or other alloyed steels.

It's important to note that the term "Damascus steel" has evolved and can encompass various types of layered steel constructions, each with its own specific composition and manufacturing process.