An old Debate ...

W

WaysofOld

Joined
Mar 10, 2002
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Because I am New to making swords I have A question that may get alot of different answers. Which steel would make a sword of a higher level of Performance, 5160 or 6150? I intend to use the method of Stock removal for the making of the blade and the take the blade to a professional heat treating facility to be properly tempered. Now assuming the heat treat goes well and that all aspects of each sword are identical which steel would produce the higher quality sword? One well known sword maker uses 6150 (Del Tin) and produces swords of eceptional quality while other smiths say that 5160 is the "cats pajamas". I am so confused and desire to learn as much as possible before I get started so any advice would be welcome.

Thank you
 
Angus Trim, Jerry Hossom and Tinker Pearce all seem to like both 5160 and 6150 quite a bit.

I'd say you'd be doing well with either of them.
 
Also How thick should the blade be? I was thinking about 1/4 inch and about 2 or less inches wide. Any thoughts?
 
That depends entirely on the type of sword you're going to make.

What did you have in mind?
 
1/4" may be a little thick for a European-styled sword.

Maybe start 3/16" at the ricasso, and give it nice complementary distal/profile tapers towards the tip. I'd suggest with that kind of width, you'd want a diamond cross section to aid rigidity. I know squat about Euro swords though, so perhaps it's best to not listen to me on this subject.

5160 would be perfectly adequate for a high quality sword too.
 
Hi Ways,

If you are going to make an arming sword, then it is best that it is a little longer than 29 inches. Check this out http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/paradoxes.html

George Silver sets out the perfect length of all weapons in two pictures about half way through this document. You will notice that a Silverite's backsword is longer than a Japanese two hander. Experience in backsword fencing tells me he is right in suggesting this length.

In addition, if you are going to make it with a uniform width, then you are going to need alot of distal taper and/or a complex fuller to get the balance right. It is much easier to make a tapered blade as the width can be used to manipulate the balance of the weapon.
Cheers
Stu.
 
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