Sword steels

David Stifle

David Stifle

Joined
Nov 20, 2008
Messages
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Someone on another site mentioned they are making several choppers and swords from Elmax and S30v. I don't think I've ever seen big blades made from these steels. Are they suitable for swords or choppers? Superior? Just curious.
 
They aren't my first choice of steels for that role. I would go with 3v or even just carbon steels like 1095.
 
That does raise the question of which qualities are best suited for longer blades. It seems to me toughness would trump hardness, and edge holding ability would be less important than the ability to dress the blade in the field.

But what do I know?
 
If you require stainless, we have seen a couple of guys experimenting with AEB-L for blades like machetes of late. The downside is that you are limited to stock no bigger than say .190. As for the more complex PM stainless steels, some say that Elmax is one of he toughest.
 
12C27M would probably make a good machete but availability and sizes might be limited.
 
I would think the biggest reason you don't see many sword sized blades in advanced PM steel is because of the expense and the difficulty (or extremely low practicality) of forging them. Not because they wouldn't make suitable swords.

If someone wanted to give me a sword, and I could either have it in 10xx or Elmax, I'd take the Elmax.

Can't say I would relish making a 30" Elmax blade though.
 
I have made tanto on S35VN ... because I have it on hand. I have some shorter swords in the works in Damasteel.

In most cases, a carbon steel near the eutectoid is the best choice. The exception to that is a san-mai blade with a high carbon core and softer sides.

If I only a had one choice, it would be 1075.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
I have made tanto on S35VN ... because I have it on hand. I have some shorter swords in the works in Damasteel.

In most cases, a carbon steel near the eutectoid is the best choice. The exception to that is a san-mai blade with a high carbon core and softer sides.

If I only a had one choice, it would be 1075.
Click to expand...
I have seen some rather wicked katanas made from 1075.
 
They wouldn't be my first choice, but properly heat treated, most modern steels are "tough enough." How many people will ever get into a steel on steel sword fight? Training through various cutting mediums should be fine with Elmax or S35VN, assuming tailored heat treat, meaning austenitizing on the low end of the scale prioritizing fine structures.

I would think a-series steels would be a better choice, as well as 3V, z-tuff, or S7 if air hardening was preferred.
 
Thanks guys. The post, on another site, mentioned he was making swords from Elmax, and S30v, and that he was getting really big dollars for them. I read it without commenting, but out of curiosity, asked here. Your responses echo's my understanding as well.
 
Using a comparison made by someone I respect A LOT in knife world, you can do your jogging in working boots or in mountain boots, but is that the most appropriate footwear for that activity?
 
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