sword steel

[grawulf]

after I get my forge up and running (in a couple weeks) one of the things I'd like to try is some sword blades. I've forged 5160 before and I like it alot but I'm afraid it won't show a hamon very well. Alternatively, I'm afraid I wont get the same strength with 1084 or 1095.

So I guess I'm just looking for suggestions for a monosteel blade that will perform like authentic high-quality weapons, without having to break a bunch of good steel in the process? Anybody have experience in this arena?

thanks,
Jeramy

 

[jiminy]

Most 'user' swords are made from 1050 steel these days, hardened to a Rockwell of about 55 or so hardness (no harder). Any higher of a carbon steel, and/or a higher Rockwell hardness means that the sword wont flex enough to absorb impact and prevent the blade from breaking ...and you'll end up with a busted, chipped blade. What you're looking for is a blade that flexes but doesn't break, and a blade edge that dents rather than chips on impact with another metal object.

If it's just for look'in at, then it can be made out of virtually anything.

The fact is ...that many of the old Japanese samurai swords are constructed of a metal very similar in it's basic properties to 1050 steel.

 

[mete]

A 1050 to 1070 is what is usually used . They are of course clay hardened to produce the hamon.

 

[grawulf]

thanks guys. I'm sorry about posting such a rookie question but I've had a he!! of a time getting the forum search to work lately. In the last two weeks I think I've had 3 or 4 searches that actually worked.

I can see where the lower carbon would be a good trade-off for the bigger blades, and still allow for a (hopefully) nice bright hamon. I'll check out Admiral and see what they carry.

-Jeramy