| Sword fighting movies have a long, proud tradition | | | | proper edge, and still retain enough flexibility. |
| in Hollywood. Even back before the introduction of | | | | Carbon-steel blades are the "real thing" and are |
| colour films, movie-goers were regularly treated | | | | used in high quality replica weapons, swords used |
| to great Pirate films, medieval adventures or | | | | for re-enactments, and traditionally made real |
| historical epics. For the most part however, | | | | swords intended for martial arts training. |
| nobody was interested in the swords themselves. | | | | Carbon-steel easily corrodes however, and so |
| Only recently has the hobby of collecting prop and | | | | must be kept oiled. Traditionally, the carbon was |
| replica film memorabilia become a mainstream | | | | mixed into the steel by repeatedly folding the |
| phenomenon, perhaps due to the explosive | | | | steel, as with Japanese and Damascus forged |
| growth in home entertainment, and the ability of | | | | blades, however today the carbon is almost |
| viewers to "own" a movie. | | | | always properly mixed as standard, so folding is |
| Today, there is a massive range of replica and | | | | only done for the aesthetic properties it produces. |
| prop weapons available for almost every film that | | | | Some carbon-steel swords will quote the hardness |
| features a fight scene, but the quality of these | | | | of the blade. A value of 20-30 RC is typical of |
| replicas varies substantially, and it's important to | | | | "Mild Steel" and not sufficient for practical use. |
| understand what, exactly, you are paying for. | | | | 30-40 RC is good enough for a cheaper sword |
| Perhaps the biggest difference between cheaper | | | | intended for re-enactments, as the sword will |
| and more expensive swords is the type of steel | | | | dent, but not chip. 40-50 RC is a good value for |
| used to make up the blade. The cheapest replica | | | | most European-style swords, and the spines of |
| weapons will use some type of Stainless Steel, | | | | Japanese and other differentially treated swords, |
| which is steel mixed with chromium to prevent | | | | while a value of 60RC is ideal for the cutting edge |
| rust, and is only ever designed for display. The | | | | of such swords. |
| main grades used for replica weapons are 420, | | | | Finally, pay attention to the swords tang. This is |
| which is the cheaper type commonly used for | | | | the part of the blade that sits inside the handle. A |
| cutlery, and 440, which is more expensive and is | | | | full tang that runs the length of the handle is |
| used in tools such as surgical knives and razor | | | | required for any sword that is intended for use. |
| blades. Most decent reproduction weapons will use | | | | Many higher-quality display swords will use a |
| the 440 grade, which can be sharpened, | | | | push-tang, that runs perhaps half the length of |
| particularly 440C, which has enough carbon in its | | | | the handle, and will stand up to light use, e.g. |
| mix to make a sword blade strong and flexible. | | | | non-contact training. Finally, a rat-tail tang is made |
| While Stainless Steel has the advantage of | | | | by welding the blade to a metal bar inside the |
| resisting corrosion, and polishing easily, it lacks | | | | handle, and is definitely only for display. |
| sufficient carbon to be heat-treated to hold a | | | | |