- Joined
- Nov 17, 2003
- Messages
- 285
The mono-tempered CS blades are probably something like 50-52 RC to yield a compromise between edge holding and toughness. That's one of the reasons they use 1050 steel instead of the more knife-like 1095. The "50" in the AISI 1050 spec means 0.5% carbon. Likewise, the "95" in 1095 means 0.95% carbon. The higher carbon content of the steel means it can be hardened more during tempering. This is desirable in knives because they are generally not impact-use tools, but rather cutting tools. A sword will likely see some impact loading during its service and that's why they sacrifice hardness (and therefre edge holding) for toughness so it won't fracture on impact. If you shoot them an email they can might give you more specific info.
As an alternative, check out the Paul Chen line of oriental swords:
http://www.casiberia.com/cas_websit... Daggers&subcat=Japanese&subsubcat=Functional
They are all differentially tempered and some are 1000-layer folded steel. This is made from a 250-layer Swedish powdered steel alloy that is hand folded twice to give 1000 layers. The standard steel used by Paul Chen is a modern steel alloy that is hand forged.
He has everything from the Practical Katana at a street price of ~$130 to the Kami Katana at ~$1100. The following websellers have good prices on the Paul Chen stuff:
http://shopthroughtheages.com/paulchenswords.html
http://www.bladematrix.com/p-r-paul-chen.html
Another brand that has recently come to the Katana market is the Last Legend line of swords:
http://www.swordarmory.com/03kats/03dex.html
Good luck finding your sword set.
As an alternative, check out the Paul Chen line of oriental swords:
http://www.casiberia.com/cas_websit... Daggers&subcat=Japanese&subsubcat=Functional
They are all differentially tempered and some are 1000-layer folded steel. This is made from a 250-layer Swedish powdered steel alloy that is hand folded twice to give 1000 layers. The standard steel used by Paul Chen is a modern steel alloy that is hand forged.
He has everything from the Practical Katana at a street price of ~$130 to the Kami Katana at ~$1100. The following websellers have good prices on the Paul Chen stuff:
http://shopthroughtheages.com/paulchenswords.html
http://www.bladematrix.com/p-r-paul-chen.html
Another brand that has recently come to the Katana market is the Last Legend line of swords:
http://www.swordarmory.com/03kats/03dex.html
Good luck finding your sword set.