5160 Spring Steel Swords
Usage: Martial Arts, Cutting
5160 steel is considered a very good steel for swords. It is a spring steel that is often used for heavy-duty applications where resilience and toughness are required.
The 5160 steel has a lower carbon content compared to some other popular sword steels, but it is alloyed with chromium, which gives it excellent toughness and makes it less prone to brittle failure. It's known for its ability to withstand significant flexing and torsion without breaking, which is why it's often used for sword blades that may be subject to hard use, such as in historical European martial arts (HEMA) or in cutting exercises.
Additionally, the chromium content provides some resistance to corrosion, although 5160 is not considered a stainless steel and still requires care to prevent rust.
5160 steel can also be hardened to a good degree, which allows it to maintain a sharp edge. Proper heat treatment is crucial for achieving the best balance of hardness, toughness, and flexibility.
Overall, 5160 steel is favoured for its durability and resilience, making it a preferred choice for functional swords that are intended for use rather than display.
Comparison to Other Common Sword Steels 1-10:
Steel
Type | Flexibility | Toughness | Edge
Retention | Resistance
to
Fatigue |
| 5160 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 |
| 9260 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 9 |
| 1060 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| 1095 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 6 |
Note: The values represent a comparative rating for each steel type in terms of flexibility, toughness, edge retention, and resistance to fatigue, with a scale from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).