03-17-2019, 02:09 PM
(03-16-2019, 05:25 PM)Dan D\Silva Wrote: I'd really like to take an iron-hilted akinakes of accurate shape and size to Plataea 2021, but I don't have much of a budget. Just recently I found an overseas maker who's willing to produce one to my specs in mild steel for about 120USD+shipping, which is a price I'm comfortable with.
As a reenactor, is it worthwhile paying another $90 to have it made of heat-treated high-carbon steel? I can't rule out the possibility that it'll be used for cutting and stabbing demos on a target, but that hasn't happened so far. And I can't really afford more than one. Any advice?
I would suggest a low magenese spring steel such as EN45 even if its not hardened and tempered it will still be stronger and at least possible to harden and temper it later if required, mild steel is only good for show which means that the work is largely wasted.
If you have a hand grinder and access to the material you can make it yourself, steel is cheap, labour is the main cost... you can also harden the edge by hammering to a certain extent.
Ivor
"And the four bare walls stand on the seashore. a wreck a skeleton a monument of that instability and vicissitude to which all things human are subject. Not a dwelling within sight, and the farm labourer, and curious traveller, are the only persons that ever visit the scene where once so many thousands were congregated." T.Lewin 1867
"And the four bare walls stand on the seashore. a wreck a skeleton a monument of that instability and vicissitude to which all things human are subject. Not a dwelling within sight, and the farm labourer, and curious traveller, are the only persons that ever visit the scene where once so many thousands were congregated." T.Lewin 1867
