The process of making steel was one that was not understood by the ancients - they knew that somehow some irons were much better than others - tougher and harder, and some areas became famous for producing steel without knowing whay

India was one area that exported steel all around the world in the middle ages.

The famous folding of soft and hard steel and iron together was also known world-wide, indeed today it is known as Damascussing, because of teh fine blades that came from Damascus with the wavy pattern on the blade. However even Viking swordsmiths knew of it.

I'd suggest there was no difference in the makeup of the materials going into blades across the world.