Sword Steel heat treating for Tough!

Lynn · May 10, 2000

I have to make a couple special swords for a Shakespere production. They should be of a modified design sometimes called a bastard" sword about 1 1/2" wide at the base, tapering to about 1/2" just before the point and about 3/16" thick at the guard. The real problem will be the type of steel and the heat treating because they must be able to be struck togather repeatedly on stage.

I have been thinking that 5160 with a "spring" temper of about 600 degrees. Would that give me what I'm looking for as far as toughness?

Thanks, Lynn

Jerry Hossom · May 10, 2000

You might want to look at S7, which is designed as a high impact steel where edge holding is not a critical factor. CPM-3V certainly would work, but having worked with it a good bit, I can tell you that it is not easy.

You might want to check out Crucible Steel's website, which lists a bunch of steels and gives the impact toughness for each.
http://www.crucibleservice.com/crumain2.htm

Good luck

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Jerry Hossom
www.hossom.com