Better functional sword steel: 5160 heat treated or traditionally forged?

DanR217

DanR217

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So, a chunk of heat treated 5160 or a hand forged blade with a harder edge and softer spine?
 
Not really sure what you are asking. ??? 5160 can be hand forged and differentially heat treated to have a harder edge and softer spine.

Do you mean 5160 differentially heat treated vs 5160 through hardened?
 
What type of sword are you talking about? Would it matter for a shorter sword? Gladius?

What are you planning on cutting with this sword? That might make a difference in need.
 
I have both.

Differentially hardened 5160 can be honed to a scary edge and holds it much longer than through tempered 5160.

Both are very tough.
 
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SShepherd said:
define abuse. if you mean poor technique or improper target cutting your statement is incorrect.

this is a good explanation
http://swordforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=870299&postcount=5
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that is a good explanation. I'm not ready for a live blade, yet. I did get a Swamp Rat Waki, it's made to cut tree limbs. It's less dangerous than a full lenght sword, and can be used like a machete. I don't have to worry so much about the edge on this one. Maybe it's not for everyone, but I can't see me needing a full sized, differential heat treated sword, at this time.
You gotta know where you stand, and get the right tools.
 
Thanks for the input guys. I think I'll get a through hardened 5160 blade. For an inexperienced user, a through hardened seems more forgiving and harder to foul up beyond repair.

It will mostly sit in my house waiting for zombies, but I might take it out every now and then and chop at softer things I might come across (i.e pumpkins from the grocery store the day after Halloween).

After my form improves significantly, I'll probably get a differentially heat treated blade.
 
The two through-hardened 5160 swords l own are a Generation2 River Witham Viking Sword and an Egyptian Khopesh by Chris Palmer.


Both are remarkably tough.

But the khopesh... my oh my... what an incredible performer it is. Mr Palmer's heat treatment IMO is just right. The edge was kind of blunt when l got it and l spent the time to hand convex the edge bevels. With the khopesh, you don't want to go too far with that; the edge is supposed to be rather axe-like. After convexing it to a fine edge, it cuts like the dickens. And it is TOUGH. The blade is 1/8" thick and rigid.

After personal experimentation with many types of swords over the years, I've come back to the begining. My preference is the blades of the ancient world. They tended to be short back then. My khopesh is 22.5" long with a 16.75" blade. That's about dead center of average for historical khopesh swords, and I've found I do best with swords of that size... fast and agile with just enough reach.

And as an added bonus, those shorter blades arent subjected to the same degree of shock and torque as longer blades.
 
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The sword I was looking at has a 31" blade, 15" handle and weighs 4lbs.

Seems a little heavy, seems like around 2lbs. 5oz. is average.

I would assume something that heavy would break through more than it would cut through?

More weight better for zombies or would get stuck too much?
 
Zombie hordes? That means multiple targets. And that means you'd be better off with something light and quick. Otherwise you will become more easily fatigued then it's game over.
 
Wolf_1989 said:
Zombie hordes? That means multiple targets. And that means you'd be better off with something light and quick. Otherwise you will become more easily fatigued then it's game over.
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True, I'm not exactly Conan and running and cutting would probably be the norm.
 
DanBo82 said:
True, I'm not exactly Conan and running and cutting would probably be the norm.
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It's a conundrum; you need something with enough power but not so heavy as you become easily tired. BUT it should also have sufficient reach.

Of course we all know it's a bad idea to choose melee weapons as the primary choice for dispatching zombies because closer proximity increases the likelyhood of a bite. A melee weapon is a backup for when you run out of ammo, or need to go with a more quiet option than good ol' 5.56 or 7.62x39.

Actually my first choice would be my CS warhammer but for a sword I'm still going with the khopesh. Back in ancient times they knew how to take of business.
 
Wolf_1989 -- well if the zombies ever do come, you are probably going to want to switch your thinking around. IF zombies act and have the abilities we all think they will, then sound is your biggest enemy. so a sword is going to be what you want and a gun for only a last resort. also ammo will run out fast in such a situation as people will hoard it or it will just simply run out.

so IMO you are going to want something like a wakizashi as your main sword, (as it is smaller and can be yielded faster and in tight spaces.) a tanto for the same reason and as a back-up. also a katana for when you are in those wide open spots. just like the samurai used to use them for. always have that gun handy! but you fire a shot, and the hoard comes running after you!

as as for not wanting a melee weapon cause of posibly getting bit, PVC makes good cheep armor or even football or hockey gear. even leather. anythiing that can keep a bit getting through. they didn't call the Marines "Leather Necks" for nothing!
 
Zombie_Steel said:
Wolf_1989 -- well if the zombies ever do come, you are probably going to want to switch your thinking around. IF zombies act and have the abilities we all think they will, then sound is your biggest enemy. so a sword is going to be what you want and a gun for only a last resort. also ammo will run out fast in such a situation as people will hoard it or it will just simply run out.

so IMO you are going to want something like a wakizashi as your main sword, (as it is smaller and can be yielded faster and in tight spaces.) a tanto for the same reason and as a back-up. also a katana for when you are in those wide open spots. just like the samurai used to use them for. always have that gun handy! but you fire a shot, and the hoard comes running after you!

as as for not wanting a melee weapon cause of posibly getting bit, PVC makes good cheep armor or even football or hockey gear. even leather. anythiing that can keep a bit getting through. they didn't call the Marines "Leather Necks" for nothing!
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I really, REALLY don't like wakizashis.
 
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