How would 01 tool steel work for a short sword ?

S

Silverthorn

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Apr 24, 2011
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Hey guys, I know there is a lot of debate about the best steel for a sword.
SO how would 01 tool steel work. It has great toughness and wear resistance (rates higher than 5160, and many others) I know it will rust or stain easier than some, but that doesnt bother me much as I will keep it oiled and patina just ads character. Any thoughts ?
 
meh, even for a short sword i don't think that 01 is your best option. 5160 is said to be good for this kind of stuff but it usually takes a lot more work (at least in my opinion) i would, however, still urge you to go with a proper tool steel. L6 is always a good option.
 
the charts don`t show it as tough compared to most non stainless; but it depends on how you use it (impacts on what materials, ht)
 
O1 would work fine. May not be everyone's first choice, but I bet a lot of medieval smiths would have been happy to have some O1. (O1 is a tool steel by the way...)
 
O-1 is fabulous steel.... If it is fabulously heat treated. Not, I think, a good steel for beginners with crude heat treating equipment.
 
The Crkt Hisshou is made of 01...Several of the coldsteel combat classics are now going to be 01...So it is used on larger blades(maybe not quite shortswords but close)
 
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