I found this article on replicating wootz or "watered steel" type "damascus". It provides enough information for those with the proper equipment, skill, and persistence to have a fair chance of success.

http://dark.unitz.ca/~gthomas/myweb4/replication_of_wootz.htm

I particularly liked the blade test.

"1) The first test is called the rope cutting test. A free hanging hemp rope of 1 inch in diameter is hung from a secure overhead fixture. The rope is then struck with the cutting edge of the blade, 6 inches from the free hanging end. Successfully cutting through the rope indicates good edge geometry and sharpness of the blades.

2) The second test is a wood chopping test. The wood was spruce purchased from the local hardware store. A construction grade 2 inch by 4 inch softwood board length is struck with the blade edge of the knives. The board must be cut twice and then an examination of the edge is performed. The test demonstrates edge toughness of the forged blade.

3) The last test demonstrates edge retention. The sections of the blade used in the previous test must be able to shave hair to show that enough of the edge remains keen and shaving sharp."

Later in the article, after some of the etched photographs, it specifically says the following of a bowie knife; "On the second part of the second part of the test, the blade was used to CHOP THROUGH a spruce 2 inch by 4-inch board length twice. The edge test was performed three times and showed no signs of a chipped or compacted blade edge. The blade carried no visible damage from the previous tests." I am wondering just how far through, and if they simply mean they struck the lumber hard three times....

the blade testing above is ABS standard testing and is really no challenge at all for a well made knife .
mild steel will pass the rope test if the edge geometry is right.
not taking anything away from the knife in the article by any means .