1040 to 1045 High Carbon Steel

Suitable for light and medium cutting and use, this resilient steel more forgiving and tougher than higher-carbon options, but with more modest edge retention.

1040 to 1045 steel has a carbon content between 0.4 and  0.45% and is generally regarded as the minimal carbon content needed to make a functional sword blade which is suitable for light to moderate cutting. It is softer and easier for a craftsman to work with and thus is often used to create swords intended for lower price points. This inherent softness also means it will not retain an edge as adeptly as harder carbon steels, but when used against proper targets its edge retention will be acceptable when tempered properly.

This type of steel lends itself well to tempering and with a good temper it can be surprisingly resilient in regards to durability despite its lower price point. Though often marketed as an entry level steel type, well-tempered 1040 or 1045 creates a quality blade and being crafted from a modern and pure steel billet it is of a quality that would have been envied in centuries past.