True Swords Are Sharp

Part 1: True swords are sharp
Part 2: True swords balance toughness and hardness
Part 3: True swords are made by skilled smiths
Part 4: True swords are easy to use

To begin with, a true sword must be sharp. Obvious? Maybe…But look around and you will see that most of the products masquerading as swords are not sharp. True swords are designed for combat and must function as weapons. They must cut through leather jerkins, chain mail, helms, wood shields, pole arm hafts, and more.

The ill-informed will often claim that true swords were never intended to be sharp. (These, of course, are usually the same people peddling steel blunts – or those who have been influenced by them.) They are obviously not students of history. Archeological evidence from ancient battle sites shows men felled by single blows that cleaved through shoulder blade, ribs and spine. Or that took off two legs with one sweep of a blade. Rest assured that the swords that inflicted these wounds were extremely sharp.

Since swords must stay sharp through the abuse of combat, steel hardness is an important sword quality. Steel hardness determines how well a sword takes and holds an edge. A hardness less than RC 55 is unsuitable for swords, yet many “swords” are made of steels that fall far short of this mark.* These faux swords lack the hardness required to cleave through armor.

*Damascus blades, which are made of segregated steels, will have layers of varying hardness when tested. These layers give Damascus blades superior hardness and toughness compared to other sword steels.

Next - True Swords Balance Toughness and Hardness...

[True Swords 1] | [True Swords 2] | [True Swords 3] | [True Swords 4]