Russ; I do not have the knowledge on this subject that Oscar does. However to make an attempt, I would say that there are hundreds of different patterns that would all be classified as damascus. There are also a few variations in twist but not as many as damascus. In the sense of the broad classification I believe both of the patterns you mentioned are in the damascus category. Damascus is sometimes further defined by the number of strips or bands as 2-iron, 3-iron etc & even within the same no of strips pattern variation occurs according to the exact pileing of the bars before twisting. Am sure Oscar can add more to this.
Miller
