The mystery of the non-rusting behaviour of weapons made from Damascus steel is discussed. Raman spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, polarisation studies, image analysis and hardness tests were performed to understand the causes of this behaviour. Ferro-ferricyanide tests were conducted to demonstrate resistance to the onset of corrosion by Damascus and other steels. The studies show that the resistance to rusting by weapons made from Damascus steel is due to the presence of a rich cementite phase formed on their surface by special heating, cooling and etching treatments of the surface. Polarisation and electrochemical impedance studies indicate that the oxygen reduction reaction is slower on a cementitecovered surface. This causes the weapons to corrode at a slower rate.