Mechanical abrasion of stainless steel (SS) surfaces is demonstrated as an effective technique for the deposition of catalyst to support growth of high density layers of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in water-assisted catalytic chemical vapor deposition. In all cases of Fe-containing materials abraded on Al(2)O(3) substrates, CNT growth is observed; the 400 series of SS appears to deposit catalyst most efficiently. We demonstrate that this simple abrasion technique enables both micro- and nanoscale accuracy in catalyst patterning as well as large area catalyst deposition for uniform, dense CNT growth. Raman spectroscopy characterization indicates high quality CNTs grown by this approach. This technique provides an inexpensive and simple route for addition of catalyst for Fe-based surface growth of CNTs.