Today we demonstrate a technique for creating a hard exterior layer on low carbon steel or iron called case hardening. We’ve made videos in the past on hardening carbon steels by heating them to critical temperature and then quenching the steel, which causes the structure of the steel to change and form new mechanical qualities, such as increased hardness and decreased ductility. This is useful for creating a tool or weapon that can hold an edge, but it requires that the steel have a particular amount of carbon as part of the formula of the metal (usually between .4 and .9% carbon). If you are using a non-carbon steel or iron you can still get a harder and more durable surface by adding carbon to the surface, heating, and then quenching the material, which creates a case, or thin layer, of harder steel on the outside of the piece while retaining ductility in the core. This was often used as a way to harden the tips of polearms or the faces of hammers. In the video we use a product called Cherry Red, which is a commercially available product, but in period various formulas were likely concocted consisting of hardwood charcoal and possibly other powdered carbon containing materials. The item that is being hardened in the video is the spike for one of our Italian Bills, a Renaissance polearm used by foot soldiers in 16th century Europe.
Check out this previous blog post for more info.
As always, our swords and other weapons are entirely made by us, by hand, at our shop in Minneapolis, MN. Sword blades are hand ground of 6150 carbon steel, hardened and tempered to 50-52 Rockwell. All of our products are made to look, feel, and function just like the historical originals on which they are based. Arms and Armor is dedicated to quality and authenticity. For over four decades we have worked with museums, collectors, and scholars around the world to develop a deep understanding of European weapons; knowledge we use to make products that exemplify the finest qualities of the very best historic pieces. When we select historic items to reproduce, being pretty isn’t enough, they have to move with grace and beauty, and beg to be used when in the hand. These are pieces that feel as good as they look, and that work as well as they feel. Our mission is to craft items that recreate the look, feel, and function of the best historic originals. Check out our website with all of our products, blogs, and upcoming events here:
Nathan Clough, Ph.D. is President of Arms and Armor and a member of the governing board of The Oakeshott Institute. He is a historical martial artist and a former university professor of cultural geography. He has given presentations on historical arms at many HEMA events including Longpoint, SoCal Swordfight, and WMAW, and presented scholarly papers at, among others, The International Congress on Medieval Studies.
Craig Johnson is the Production Manager of Arms and Armor and Secretary of The Oakeshott Institute. He has taught and published on the history of arms, armor and western martial arts for over 30 years. He has lectured at several schools and Universities, WMAW, HEMAC, 4W, and ICMS at Kalamazoo. His experiences include iron smelting, jousting, theatrical combat instruction and choreography, historical research, European martial arts and crafting weapons and armor since 1985
