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How Metals Are Chosen And Forged To Make The Best Swords
by Gregg Hall Properly forged swords last a lifetime, or at least they should. Unfortunately, properly forged swords are few and far between these days. Sure, a knight could have found one during medieval times or a Samurai could have found one in his local village, but Joe Schmo in the USA of the twenty-first century will have to really search for a well forged sword if he wants one that will last. Thankfully our livelihood does not depend on these weapons of war any more.
While stainless steel might work for forks, spoons, and butter knives, it does not work well for swords. Any sword made of stainless steel does not qualify as genuine because it just will not last. The forging and metallurgical processes that make this sword cause the metal to literally become brittle.
This does not mean that a sword love should completely shy away from this type of metal. On the contrary, many of these swords make for some great decoration in the home. Think about how a pair of Cavalry swords might look in a crossed pattern on that large blank wall in your den. If you love shiny aesthetics, this might work better for you than a painting.
Swords made of 5160 have proven themselves much tougher than those made of stainless steel. We find this type of steel in truck springs, so the steels durability only makes sense. After all, it has the ability to support tons of weight without breaking, so surely it would withstand a few hundred pounds of pressure that accompany a sword swing.
Other types of tough steel exist as well. The form L6 has recently become popular for its durability. Japanese swords often use this with a clay tempering method. Many times the beautiful swords are not the durable ones. Because we no longer need these little weapons, great smiths are a dying breed. While some will opt for metals like 01, D2, or A2, these fall into the steel realm and thus only work well functionally. You wouldn't want to hang them on the wall as show pieces.
The quality of steel will vary as much as the variety of steel. Where a steel sword is manufactured matters just as much as how it is manufactured. For example, many third world countries like India and Pakistan will use recycled steel from the same tough truck springs we talked about earlier. The result often times is not pretty: swords will literally crack under pressure. This does not occur all the time, but far more often than desired. Recycled steel does not always result in a bad sword. Some of the best swords out there come from forged welded cables and Russian anchor iron.
In the end, a buyer is always taking a risk when he purchases a sword. But if he examines all of the factors, he can at least minimize the risk and know what he is buying. Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach Florida. Find more about this as Samurai swords and Japanese swords at http://www.conanswordsandbooks.com
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Some Of The Various Types Of Swords Available And Why They Are So Popular
by Gregg Hall Thanks to Hollywood heroes like Antonio Bandarras playing Zorro and Tom Cruise playing the Last Samurai, we have seen a resurgence in the sword market. Individuals are at least asking about swords if not actively seeking to buy them. And why not, they make some pretty neat show pieces if you prefer the martial arts style of decorating.
Several different types of swords exist. Interested buyers can find just about any desired sword, from the medieval broad swords to the fencing swords to Cavalry sabers to swords with Asian influence in them if they just know where to look. Dozens of websites and stores carry different styles.
Think about this: a person can style his room specifically to a given era by just picking out the right sword. If he likes King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, he has the option of trying to find a medieval styled sword to hang on the wall or place in a cover in the corner. If he prefers the valor of the samurai he can find the sweeping blades to adorn his walls. And if he wants to pay homage to the U.S. Cavalry men like Teddy Roosevelt he could probably find an authentic Cavalry sword online.
We are even seeing sword stores pop up in unlikely locations, like malls. Check out your own local mall. You might be surprised to see a blade store feature a variety of styles in the corner part of your local mall. And just about anyone can find what they need for a weapon or adornment there.
Swords also vary in their medium. Two different types of sword qualities exist. Stainless Steel, the most popular and thus easiest to find, often finds itself used for display or show. It does not have the durability of the Carbon steel, the type of swords often used at Renaissance festivals for fighting shows. Additionally, an owner can keep his sword in great shape with just a little sewing machine oil rub down.
We have even seen swords used in everyday sports that have become so popular even the Olympics features them. Meet fencing. Obviously the players have little possibility of hurting themselves thanks to smart body armor, but they still are wielding a weapon with a blade ferociously, gaining a good cardiovascular workout in the process. They also learn about how to engage in a fight with honor and valor, like many of the swords symbolize.
From Luke Skywalker's light saber to the swords that knight dukes today, the long bladed handle will always remind its owner of something important in his life. Every sword captures sparks an image in the eye of its owner, whether its that of a man fighting valiantly from the top of a horse, or a white clad athlete fighting for his country in the recent Olympics. Swords are here to stay. Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach Florida. Find more about this as Conan swords at http://www.conanswordsandbooks.com
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