[TheForge] Steel Sources for Weapons

[Phlip]

Ene bichizh ogsen baina shuu...

> > I appreciate the suggestions of using 5160, 1085, and 1095 but I was
> > looking for something more along the lines of me being able to go out to
> > the junk yards or the tracks and find. My metallurgical knowledge is
> > very small so translating those numbers into items is impossible for me.
> > If I remember right they represent the grade of steel and the amount of
> > carbon in it? Was hoping someone could give me some everyday items that
> > could be used. Again this is just for learning purposed at this point.
> > Thanks again.
> >
> > Chad
> > chad@isoa.net

Chad, if you're just playing, wanting to get the shape of a sword, any mild
steel will do. You'll learn about moving it, how it feels when you move it,
and so forth, and you'll get some idea of what you want for your blade,
including balance, length of tang, etc.

If you really want to play with a steel that will make a good sword, Johan's
suggestion (I believe it was) of using and reshaping leaf, or even coil,
springs is good. Just keep in mind, reshaping something designed for
something else is pretty labor intensive.

If you'd rather still go cheap, you can look around at small salvage yards.
I'm lucky enough to have one near me, where the guy recycles and collects
lots at auctions, and sorts it and sells it. Anything I get from him is
$1/lb, and I can usually ask him if he's got what I need, although it isn't
an exact science- I can specify sheet or plate of copper, brass, or steel,
high or low carbon bar stock in different sizes, stainless bar stock, or
aluminum, etc. If he has it, I buy it- if he doesn't, Oh well.

I'd suggest that even if you don't really want to spend the money, you go
ahead and buy a stick of what you want, maybe the 1095 or the 5160, bite the
bullet, pay for it, and be done with it. The reason I suggest this is that
you'll know exactly what you have and how it feels, and you'll know exactly
how to temper it, etc when you're ready.

Steel is cheap right now- you might as well take advantage of the low prices
to learn on.

Phlip

 If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it is probably not a
cat.

Never a horse that cain't be rode,
And never a rider who cain't be throwed....