Damascus Steel vs. Carbon steel with a simulated temper for a sword?

Damascus steel is not a good choice. Gun barrels were once made of Damascus but no longer. Mono steels have come a long way in the past 100 years along with methods of tempering. The skill required to create a functional, strong, and safe Damascus steel sword is rare and extremely labor intensive. A cheap Damascus sword should never be used for cutting anything but air. While you can buy a fine Damascus sword expect to pay a high price. Although any fine sword will cost quite a bit, $500 to thousands. Modern Mono steels now out perform even traditional folded blades. Folding was to change the carbon content and not primarily for strength. Lots of info on the web, make sure to check it for yourself and don't believe the "romantic" notion that antique blades out perform anything made today. That's just not true.