What steel would you choose for a bush sword?

Grease

Grease

Joined
May 10, 2012
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I want to do something stupid & over the top with steel.

Basically, I want a lot of sword in a smaller package (for a sword). I'm thinking something like 3/16 to 1/4 inch thick, 2 inches wide and about 21 inches long, with a saber grind.

My intended purpose is basically a "It's stupid, but I'll do it because I can" woodcutting tool, somewhat akin to chopping firewood with a kukri instead of just using a saw.

With that in mind, what kind of steel would you guys suggest for such a monstrosity?
 
If you havn't already, check out Zombie tools,they might have what you're looking for.
 
A good old fashion carbon steel like 1095, 5160, or yes, definitely 52100. Anything like this should be fine to use. Why? they can handle impact, something normally you don't have to worry about as much with a normal sized knife. Hard edge, softer spine, and spring steel body to aid in shock mitigation as well as convex grind. I make a lot of what you are asking about and some of them are in hard use. Look to what was used to make old time short swords and as to how they were made. This will give you an Idea of what material and construction requirements are needed. A suggestion for something cheap to start with is maybe a car spring.
 
For the record 5160 is often referred to as OCS old Chevy spring as 5160 was used for Chevy leaf springs
 
Zombie Tools definitely has what I'm thinking of, but I'm not looking for a finished blade. I want to make my own :D
 
It wouldn't hurt to ask some of the makers in the forum via pm or email as they have fairly good reasons for their choices. With that in mind....Ben at BRT makes a very nice bush sword and may offer some helpful hints in your attempts to craft your own.
 
I'd go with S7, since as far as I know most people don't use it. Also it's ridiculously tough, so it fits the, "unnecessary but cool" category.
 
I'd go with S7 as well, I think I remember Daniel Fairly (Who has a Forum here) making a camp sword from S7, maybe send him a message and he can help you out, he's a good dude:thumbup: so I'm sure he wouldn't mind a few questions
 
5160 for me, impact resistance is top notch.
 
I have owned many knives and made a few (out of O1 Tool Steel) but have to say for a sword I would go with 1095 or 5160.
 
Well, I'll be using it like a Kukri, so making it out of the same steel sounds about right.

jwolf, I might just have to seek out Fairly's advice... Thanks for the tip.
 
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