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					Originally Posted by DaveS
					
				 
				Ron, Steve:     Thanks for your input.  I have heard that a ladder pattern should contain forty steps representing the forty steps to Allah.  It seems when I count I get either 38, 39, or even 41.  It's difficult on this blade because not all the steps are that easy to see.  Also I don't know if the "true" ladder is strictly confined to wootz and I wish I could remember where it was stated that it also occurs on purpose in a layered blade....Dave 
			
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 The 40 steps should not be taken literally. The Laddered Pattern is said to be a representation of the 40 steps of Mohammed and not literally 40 steps in the pattern.