Does the Metallurgical Composition of a Sword Really Matter?

So, what do you do if you want to actually use your medieval swords?  You should look for AISI/American 1050/10xx plain carbon steel  because these blades contains iron, manganese and carbon, thus differing slightly from traditional steel. AISI 1050 is tough steel, which compensates somewhat for the lack of silicon in the steel--silicon improves the blades strength and flexibility. The higher the carbon content, the harder the steel. The lower the carbon content, the more tough the steel is. Too hard, and the blade can shatter upon impact. Too soft, and it can easily be cut through. So what do you go with? The best bet is to find a high carbon content as well as a sizable amount of silicon, so you get both strength and flexibility.

AISI 1050 is generally grouped into the High Carbon Spring Steel category, as it meets the Rockwell range requirements and is rather flexible.  Interesting thing about spring steel is that it is the same steel used in manufacturing automobile springs.  There are different grades within this category, but it can be called spring steel as long as the blade can be bent and return to its original form (true).  The higher the carbon content and silicon content, the more expensive the medieval weapons, medieval swords, and medieval armor will be.

The downside to owning AISI grade steel edged medieval weapons is that they rust very easily and must be oiled frequently.  To avoid rusting keep your sword out of contact with air and moisture.  Store your sword out of the scabbard as the scabbard can trap moisture directly against the blade.  If you live in a humid environment, it is best to have a dehumidifier running to decrease the amount of water in the air.  You should oil the entire blade, and any other metal parts from the hilt to the handle.  If your sword is full tang, be sure to oil the exposed edges, otherwise you could get interior rusting.  

If you are just planning on displaying your replica swords, you really do not have to worry about the flexibility and the strength of the blade.  You should focus more on how the blade looks, not necessarily what it is forged from.  The best choice for display swords is J2 420 Stainless Steel.  They are hard enough to remain true, but will shatter if struck against anything hard.  There is very little carbon in J2 420, so the metal never fully hardens.  This also means that display swords cannot hold an edge (which is usually a good thing).  Most display swords come with a plaque, as all LOTR swords do. 

The great thing about this steel is that it looks beautiful when polished and it does not rust.  You can easily polish J2 420 stainless steel to a mirror shine and you never ever have to oil the blade.  This steel does not rust because of the chromium content in the metal composition.  Chromium is what makes stainless steel "stainless steel" and is what makes chrome so darned shiny.  Since you do not have to worry about rusting, you can display your Lord of the Rings Swords alone or in its scabbard.

If you want to browse an enormous selection of medieval weapons, medieval armor, and medieval swords, please visit A Squared Armory.