HavenVice Posted May 19, 2011 Posted May 19, 2011 My friend and I are making plans to make a sword and we have been discussing the metal we would use and now we have landed on Aluminum Alloy, would this material hold up in combat, I need help with more information on the subject. Quote
Steve Shimanek Posted May 19, 2011 Posted May 19, 2011 Aluminum is not recommended for "combat"; some stage swords and Japanese iato are aluminum alloy but are not expected to be in contact with hard objects.Swords are pretty rarely used in "combat" these days; ya getting ready for a zombie invasion? :) Quote
HavenVice Posted May 19, 2011 Author Posted May 19, 2011 haha you got me, but yeah the sword is for Zombies. So what Metal do you recommend? Quote
ThomasPowers Posted May 19, 2011 Posted May 19, 2011 Perhaps the metal they have been using for *using* swords for almost 2000 years all over the world would be a good choice---a moderately high carbon steel. Note that *weight* and *weight* *distribution* of a sword is important in use. People tend to go too heavy and have blades that can't be *swung* effectively or too light and have blades that won't *hit* effectively. For about 1000 years a good working sword weight was about 2.5 pounds (both for European and Japanese swords!) if you want to re-invent something it's a good idea to learn the basics of the best of the class before trying to make changes. May I strongly commend to your attention "The Complete Bladesmith", "The Master Bladesmith" and "The Pattern Welded Blade" all by James Hrisoulas; even if you are not forging the blades the information on heat treat and construction for *swords* is pretty much a must! If you live in the USA you should be able to ILL these books at your local public library. Quote
Dodge Posted May 19, 2011 Posted May 19, 2011 Those pesky zombies at it again?? Personally, a sword is a little too up-close-and-personal for my taste. Very messy, what, with the rotting flesh and all and so corrosive on a nicely finished sword steel. Gotta clean clean that blade as soon as possible or you'll never get the smell off. .45 slug to the head; much cleaner, albeit noisier...... :ph34r: Quote
macbruce Posted May 19, 2011 Posted May 19, 2011 You might want to consider aluminum bronze, alloy 642 I think.......It forges like butter and does not anneal, tough as nails.....The edge? Is this real combat or more like acting?.......A golden blade might look cool............mb Quote
WmHorus Posted May 20, 2011 Posted May 20, 2011 Ya a sword is a up close and last resort weapon with zombies, better off in a high place with long range rifle as they get closer get a couple Glock 17's with a few high Cap magazines. Heck even I have a .45 but 8 shots vs 15-30 in zombie days could be the difference between bite and no bite :P Quote
Caius Posted July 29, 2011 Posted July 29, 2011 my arsenal, in the event of zombie invasion, is as follows: two .22 caliber revolvers, one colt, one ruger. 20 guage double barreled shotgun (i only have a few hundred shells in a couple ammo cans) my .357 lever action marlin rifle, a 52'' two-handed claymore type sword (full aluminum, but has held up under heavy live combat practice) a two foot (approx) saber, machete sharp, and in the event that my dad is not around but his keys are, a chevy 5500 diesel flatbed work truck for high speed zombie carnage. Quote
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