best kind of sword?

Question

I am wandering if I buy a sword then what kind of metal should it be. I just bought a carbon steel sword and its very good but still gets chiped alot in combat. So is carbon steel the strongest it gets? and is there a serton name for the best Katanas?

Answer 1

First off there is a lot to look at here.

it is more than just the quality of the steel, however that is a good place to start.

The simple truth and best initial indicator is economics and price.

If you aren't paying AT LEAST in the neighborhood of $1000 (yep one thousand) you are buying crap if it is a katana.

You can pick up a good european sword for half that.

There are plenty of exceptions- however if you don't know what to ask, and what you are looking at, you are likely bieng ripped off. Any sword that is in the $100-$200 is of inferior quality or the seller is drunk or mentally retarded.

A good sword requires heat treatment, balance and functionality of design. (making most movie and video game swords worthless)

Here are a number of articles on heat treatment, discerning a well-made sword and what not to use.

Heat treatment:

http://swordforum.com/sfu/primer/heattreatment.html

"best" sword misconceptions:
http://swordforum.com/sfu/primer/thebest.html

discerning a well-made sword: (focus on european blades- but the tang discussion is important)
http://swordforum.com/sfu/primer/wellmade.html

Sword terms and types of steel:
Scroll all the way down for steel descriptions.
(as opposed to the usual "lists" of grades, they actually go into more detail- there is also a glossary of sword terms as well)
http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/sword-terms.htm


HERE IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU BUY STAINLESS STEEL SWORD-LIKE OBJECTS:
http://www.realarmorofgod.com/video/stainless_steel_warning.mpg

EDIT: be carefull as many dealers (especially over the internet) like to try to sell with terms such as "combat ready" or battle ready steel.

Above I'm talking about the quality for a cutting blade that is a replica that will perform and is made to the same standards to function like a sword.

actually with advances in technology, today's swords can be of better quality as the steel can be made more pure, the traditional method required a blacksmith to hammer the steel and fold and refold many times. this was done in all cultures, not just japan, the reason why they had to re-fold in japan so many times is because they had poor steel quality. "traditional japanese steel" is a myth that appeared once on some list (I blame the craplander website- but it could have started elsewhere) and that list has been copied and re-copied by sword dealers in order to sell thier product and use it for "puffery". The "folding" of steel was done in all major sword producing cultures after the bronze age.

There is a reason to buy lesser quality steel swords, and that would be for use in sparring, as you don't want to spend 1000 on a sword only to damage it, if you need/use a good blunt for sparring, you can pick up a lesser quality one for cheaper. You need to be carefull though as they are still not cheap (or at least if you dont' want it to become damaged immediately with potentially disasterous results).

Answer 2

Folded steel is one of the strongest but it depends on the smith who forges it. I prefer Damascus steel and have three swords that are made with it. I purchased 2 of them from the same smith, Daniel Watson. His headquarters are in Texas but he travels to different Renaissance fairs across the country. Here is a link to his website http://www.angelsword.com It will also give you a good background on the methods used to forge them. They are not cheap but they are excellent quality swords. In addition to the 2 that he made I own 6 additional swords acquired throughout the years. Good luck.

Answer 3

Damascus steel is the best Grade
and if you can get Damascus that has been heat treated and folded in various stretches to weave the fibers
well Hell you have a Priceless sword

Answer 4

Folded steel is good. My personal favorites for swords are shaolin broadswords (dao) , shaolin straight swords aka: tai chi swords (gim), or samurai swords (katanas) . Below are links where you can find extremely high quality swords of each of the kinds listed above. They are kinda pricey though but thats the price you pay for something thats actualy worthwhile

Shaolin Broadsword (dao)

http://www.knightsedge.com/swords/chinese-broadsword.htm

Shaolin Straightsword aka: tai chi sword (gim)

http://www.medievalcollectibles.com/detail.aspx?ID=2340&Name=GIM-SWORD

Samurai Sword (Katana) I highly recomend this katana it is the best katana I've ever owned

http://www.spiral.org.uk/acatalog/Genuine_Practical_Samurai_Sword.html

O ya and here is a really cool sword called an odachi. Its 6 feet tall the only giant sword thats actualy decent really

http://www.knightsedge.com/swords/odachi-samurai-sword.htm

Answer 5

Traditional folded steel katana. A "live" blade will run you around $2500.00 U.S. from several blacksmiths in Japan. Cold Steel's Katanas are a good substitute if you can't afford the $2500.00.

Good luck in your search.

Answer 6

I had a Highlander Sword cost $250 think it was called a Katuna but the dam police took it from me i had it hanging on gun rack in my truck ( it was a bad boy let me tell ya you wanna scare the chit out of someone pulla sword on em)

Answer 7

did watched the movie Kill Bill.
she went to okinawa japan, find a japanese man famous in making sword. With that sword she kill lots of her enemies.
why not try that too.... (kidding)

Answer 8

You want folded steel.

Answer 9

ninja duhhhh