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Originally Posted by chrispedersen
I don't know what you mean by 'mass production of steel couldn't be done till the 19th centuries'
But damascene blades, as well as japanese ones were famous as far back as the 1300's as I recall. And they were certainly made in large enough quantitites to support military action.
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The making of steel was known long before then, yes, and well made steel was highly sought after for weaponry. However, it could not economically be made in large (or 'mass') quantities at that time - certainly not enough to outfit entire armies in high quality steel armor. When steel was employed for armor for the rank and file, it would be of an inferior quality (though some nobles, and elite knights, who tended to be nobles, could afford it).
For example, steel was still in such low supply at the advent of the railroad, that the inferior metals used in the rails would wear out every 3-6 weeks in the busiest junctions.