Anybody know about stainless steel? Just bought a 420 SS sword

[QueHuong]

What does the number mean? I hear that 440 stainless steel for a sword designates good quality. I was eyeing this sword:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1713674261&ssPageName=ADME:B:BN:US:1

Before I started the bidding, I emailed the seller about the quality of the sword. When he didn't reply and since the auction was about to end, I bidded on it and won. And the moment I won, he replied and said it was 420 stainless steel. So what's a 420 sword like and was the total $18.95 a good deal for the sword?

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

I dont know about sword values, but 440 steel is vastly superior to 420. I believe that 440's tensile strength is about 290000psi while 420 is around 90000. 440 is also more corrosion resistant. Either does well with water, but if you handle the 420 blade, you MUST wipe it clean, as skin secretions will etch the blade.

 

[ChinamanatNCSU]

does this help?

if not just search google and there's plenty of hits

from the site it sounds like 420 stainless if fine for a sword, since its usually used for cutlery

 

[OS]

-

 

[LAUST]

440 is a harder steel

 

[Babbles]

You usually don't want those types of steel for swords. To make things stainless as such it has a high chrome and vandium content, which decreases the oxidation from water however it will make the steel more brittle. A brittle sword is a bad thing.

If you want to learn something about swords you can read up over at:

Sword Forum International

and
Morgan Valley Forge

For a production sword that has a good bang for the buck:
Kris Cutlery

Just remember, as with most things: You get what you paid for.

 

[ultravox]

I was just saying to my wife last night.........not enough people have swords..........especially good 420 stainless steel ones.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Good links babbles. A 440 or 420 sword would be inferior to many other types of steels for combat. Of course most swords are for display only. If I had a sword, I would want it to be a real weapon. Just my preference.

 

[LAUST]

I'm the same way

 

[Babbles]

<< Fact is though if you want a Sword made of some killer awesome quality anyway, your gonna be spending some MEGA money for somthing so unused, Might as well just take a trip out to Toledo Spain and get yourself one there >>



They don't cost that much, here is a custom 1086 powdered steel one:

Custom 1086

Then again for that amount you could go over to Spain and have a few beers.

 

[LAUST]

<<

<< Fact is though if you want a Sword made of some awesome material anyway, your gonna be spending some MEGA money for somthing so unused, Might as well just take a trip out to Toledo Spain and get yourself one there >>



They don't cost that much, here is a custom 1086 powdered steel one:

Custom 1086

Then again for that amount you could go over to Spain and have a few beers. >>


Nice, but yeah, $4000 for something that in our day won't be used, just hurts (on my cost of living anyway).

But it would be nice to have one of that quality and material for sure

 

[Babbles]

<< Nice, but yeah, $4000 for something that in our day won't be used, just hurts (on my cost of living anyway).

But it would be nice to have one of that quality and material for sure >>



Those are really meant to be sold for those practicing Kenjutsu, or Iado practice, tamashigiri practice, etcetera.
Not for the 'average' person just to hang on the wall.

 

[LAUST]

<< Those are really meant to be sold for those practicing Kenjutsu, or Iado practice, tamashigiri practice, etcetera.
Not for the 'average' person just to hang on the wall. >>


Yep and I'm 'guessin' Mindstorm falls in that 'average' catagory too

 

[XMan]

I had a stainless steel rat once . .

 

[BooneRebel]

<< What does the number mean? I hear that 440 stainless steel for a sword designates good quality. I was eyeing this sword:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1713674261&ssPageName=ADME:B:BN:US:1

Before I started the bidding, I emailed the seller about the quality of the sword. When he didn't reply and since the auction was about to end, I bidded on it and won. And the moment I won, he replied and said it was 420 stainless steel. So what's a 420 sword like and was the total $18.95 a good deal for the sword? >>



You asked about quality on a sword that cost you less than a good pocketknife? What do you really expect?

 

[QueHuong]

Can a 420 sword be strong enough to withstand strikes against trees? Or light contact with other 420 swords?