Heat-treated or no?

[Crispianus]

Thank you.

Rod, my design is based on the ones found at the Achaemenid military cemetery in Deve Huyuk, so they're pretty short -- I specified a blade of 21-23cm (8-1/4 to 9 inches).  I suppose bending would be less likely at that length, but it's not impossible.

Ivor, the maker lists their high-carbon steel as 60C2, which contains manganese and up to 2 percent silicon, which I gather is quite high.  No idea if they'd be willing to make the blade in high-carbon but not heat-treat it.

I have made a dagger and a knife with an angle grinder, but it's...  unpleasant work, and frankly I don't mind paying someone else so I can avoid it (plus being back at school these days, I just don't have much time anymore).

Thats little more then a large knife I should think it would be possible to heat treat this with a large gas torch with care, obviously its best to forge any weapon though rather then grinding it to shape which as you say is unpleasant work, I think there are several people here on the forum who are doing this kind of stuff who might be a better bet.... 60C2 comes out as some kind off structural steel I've never used it always EN45...

I assume that your refering to the weapons in this catalogue:

https://www.academia.edu/31521572/Cemete...C3%BCk.pdf