A 1095 carbon steel sword is made from a simple, high carbon steel with roughly nine tenths of one percent carbon and very little else. It is not exotic and that is the appeal. It hardens deeply, it takes and holds a good edge, it is straightforward to heat treat correctly, and if you damage one it can be repaired by anyone with a forge rather than by a specialist.
The blades on this tag
Viking swords, arming swords, knightly swords, messers, short swords, wakizashi and a Chinese dao. Overall lengths run from about 21 inches on a Viking short sword to 40 on the longer arming patterns, with blades from roughly 17 to 32 inches. The steel is plain 1095 high carbon at 54 to 58 HRC. Fittings include lobed and disc pommels, brass bell pommels, straight and downswept crossguards, and grips in leather, cord, ribbed bone and wood. Many carry etched fullers, knotwork bands or rune rows on the blade.
What the hardness number means
54 to 58 HRC on a sword is a deliberate choice rather than a compromise. A blade taken much harder gets brittle, and a long blade that chips or snaps is far worse than one that takes a set and can be straightened. At this hardness a 1095 sword bends before it breaks and holds an edge well enough for anything short of daily cutting practice. Knives can go harder because they are short and supported. The steel glossary explains the terms, and the comparison with Damascus covers when the pattern welded option is worth the extra.
Rust, which is the real maintenance
1095 has no chromium and will rust given moisture and time. Wipe the blade after handling, because fingerprints etch, and keep it out of a closed leather scabbard for storage. A thin film of oil is enough. The single hand medieval shapes are in the arming swords and the compact blades in the short swords.
Fittings and construction
Pommels are peened onto the tang rather than glued, which shows as a small dome of steel at the top. Guards are fitted to the shoulder of the blade and seated rather than pinned through. Grips are wrapped over a wooden core. None of that is visible in a photograph, which is why it is worth stating.
Free US shipping
On most pieces. Heavier and oversized ones carry a flat charge.
Hand Forged
Heated, hammered and ground by hand.
Engraving available
Names, dates or Norse runes on most pieces.
