| Properly forged swords last a lifetime, or at least | | | | breaking, so surely it would withstand a few |
| they should. Unfortunately, properly forged | | | | hundred pounds of pressure that accompany a |
| swords are few and far between these days. | | | | sword swing. |
| Sure, a knight could have found one during | | | | Other types of tough steel exist as well. The |
| medieval times or a Samurai could have found | | | | form L6 has recently become popular for its |
| one in his local village, but Joe Schmo in the USA | | | | durability. Japanese swords often use this with a |
| of the twenty-first century will have to really | | | | clay tempering method. Many times the beautiful |
| search for a well forged sword if he wants one | | | | swords are not the durable ones. Because we no |
| that will last. Thankfully our livelihood does not | | | | longer need these little weapons, great smiths are |
| depend on these weapons of war any more. | | | | a dying breed. While some will opt for metals like |
| While stainless steel might work for forks, spoons, | | | | 01, D2, or A2, these fall into the steel realm and |
| and butter knives, it does not work well for | | | | thus only work well functionally. You wouldn't want |
| swords. Any sword made of stainless steel does | | | | to hang them on the wall as show pieces. |
| not qualify as genuine because it just will not last. | | | | The quality of steel will vary as much as the |
| The forging and metallurgical processes that make | | | | variety of steel. Where a steel sword is |
| this sword cause the metal to literally become | | | | manufactured matters just as much as how it is |
| brittle. | | | | manufactured. For example, many third world |
| This does not mean that a sword love should | | | | countries like India and Pakistan will use recycled |
| completely shy away from this type of metal. On | | | | steel from the same tough truck springs we |
| the contrary, many of these swords make for | | | | talked about earlier. The result often times is not |
| some great decoration in the home. Think about | | | | pretty: swords will literally crack under pressure. |
| how a pair of Cavalry swords might look in a | | | | This does not occur all the time, but far more |
| crossed pattern on that large blank wall in your | | | | often than desired. Recycled steel does not |
| den. If you love shiny aesthetics, this might work | | | | always result in a bad sword. Some of the best |
| better for you than a painting. | | | | swords out there come from forged welded |
| Swords made of 5160 have proven themselves | | | | cables and Russian anchor iron. |
| much tougher than those made of stainless steel. | | | | In the end, a buyer is always taking a risk when |
| We find this type of steel in truck springs, so the | | | | he purchases a sword. But if he examines all of |
| steels durability only makes sense. After all, it has | | | | the factors, he can at least minimize the risk and |
| the ability to support tons of weight without | | | | know what he is buying. |