I think you're missing a link, Tom!
But yes I'm very interested in wootz /damascus/ viking steel. Rob Wilson got me intersted. Problem is what to do with it after making it. I'm not into cutlery, or pounding it gently for days! But it would be just a cool thing to have, and also I have a friend smith I might make a present of it to. The actual process itself isn't that difficult -- sealed crucible with measured proportioned ingredients plus glass flux in a furnace capable of melting it all. But not supposed to be easy to make correctly, or qualitatively, and you need some very low carbon iron to start with.
The cost of gauge plate here has made me wonder about just making round bar of high carbon steel for some tools I'd like to do -- cutters 2" diameter for instance. Might be easier than wootz, and more useful.