Was san mai developed mainly because of physical properties or because of looks? Was it only the Japanese or Asians who developed it, or did the West try it out before contact with the Japanese?
Western smiths were making laminated blades about the same time the Japanese were just starting to play around with iron. Laminate structure swords have been found going back several hundred years BCE in Europe.
it is a cheap easy way to stretch your available steel and was done just about everywhere. the Japanese are the only ones to make it a design feature I think.. I find the root of a lot of techniques is "we have small amounts of good stuff" how do we stretch it.
