so why hype about it?

TS go do more research before posting pls.   Read one simple article somewhere and assume it tells the complete truth.

First of all, we already understand how Damascus steel was made. We are just not certain how they managed to fold carbon nanotubes into steel with primitive metalworking technology.

That just means we can't duplicate the exact process, but that's not to say the modern steel making techniques are inferior to it. I'll take a modern steel sword vs your Damascus sword any day.

Heck some American dude managed to make knives that can cut through steel and still be as sharp as before and that kicks the crap out of Damascus steel. He refused to reveal his secret to anyone but modern science has also figured out what he did:
https://clarksonhistory.wordpress.com/2013/...-richtig-knife/

So yeah...so much for moden steel being weaker.