Best steel for first sword?

[cjensema]

I make knives(mostly ATS-34), but I've never made a sword. A friend of mine asked me to make a him a medival sword. This may be the only sword I'll ever make. What steel do you recomment that will be easy to grind, but still makes a decent sword?

Thanks.

 

[Jerry Hossom]

If he plans on killing someone with it, an impact resistant steel would be good, A2, 5160 or maybe even CPM-3V (got flamed the last time I mentioned 3V for swords...

). Of these, A2 is closest to what you are familiar with.

If he's just going to play with it, I suggest you stick with what you know, ATS-34. If it is tempered in the Rc55-58 range, it has pretty good toughness, nice flexibility, and cuts well. Edge holding isn't a big problem in swords, so the lower Rc likely won't even be noticed.

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Jerry Hossom
www.hossom.com
The Tom & Jerry Show

 

[Jeff Clark]

5160 is inexpensive, tough, and easy to work with. If you make a mistake and junk the blade it won't cost much. You just want to look for a high quality supply.