1095 High Carbon Steel Overview
Traditional High Carbon Steel for Swordsmithing
1095 is a classic high-carbon steel widely used in knife and sword making. With approximately 0.95% carbon, it offers excellent edge sharpness, good hardness, and traditional forging responsiveness. It is especially valued in the world of custom bladesmithing, traditional Japanese-style swords, and performance-based hand-forged blades.
Although 1095 lacks corrosion resistance, its simplicity, affordability, and edge capability make it a top choice for both beginner and experienced makers aiming for high performance in short or mid-length blades.
Performance Overview
| Key Feature | Performance | Notes |
| Edge Sharpness | ★★★★★ (Excellent) | Produces extremely fine and sharp edges |
| Hardness Potential | ★★★★★ (Very High) | Can reach HRC 60–62 with proper treatment |
| Toughness | ★★☆☆☆ (Limited) | Brittle if quenched improperly or over-hardened |
| Wear Resistance | ★★★☆☆ (Moderate) | Acceptable for most uses, but dulls faster than alloy steels |
| Corrosion Resistance | ★☆☆☆☆ (Poor) | Requires regular oiling and care to prevent rust |
| Grindability | ★★★★☆ (Easy) | Polishes easily, responds well to hand and machine grinding |
Heat Treatment Guidelines
Austenitizing Temperature: 800–820°C (1475–1500°F)
Soak Time: 5–10 minutes (depending on blade thickness)
Quench Medium:
Water: for sharper hamon and full hardness, but risk of cracking
Fast oil: safer, more stable results
Tempering Range: 150–250°C (300–480°F)
Resulting Hardness: HRC 58–62
Suitable for: Differential hardening (hamon), traditional quenching techniques
1095 is sensitive to overheating and cracking—normalization and proper temperature control are strongly recommended.
Chemical Composition
1095 is a plain carbon steel with a simple and clean alloy profile. It contains very few alloying elements, making it highly responsive to heat treatment and ideal for traditional forging methods.
Here is a detailed breakdown of its chemical components:
Carbon (C): approx. 0.90–1.03%
Carbon is the defining element of 1095. The high carbon content allows the steel to achieve high hardness levels (up to HRC 62), excellent sharpness, and strong cutting performance. However, it also reduces ductility and makes the steel more brittle under improper quenching or impact stress.Manganese (Mn): 0.30–0.50%
Manganese increases tensile strength and improves hardenability. It also assists with deoxidation during steelmaking, contributing to more uniform structure during forging and quenching.Silicon (Si): up to 0.25%
Silicon is used as a deoxidizer in the steel refining process. It also slightly improves strength and hardness, and helps stabilize the structure during tempering.Phosphorus (P) and Sulfur (S): trace amounts (<0.04%)
These elements are considered impurities. Controlled at low levels, they have minimal effect on performance, but excessive phosphorus can reduce toughness and increase brittleness.
The simplicity of 1095’s composition gives it a predictable and sharp response to traditional heat treatment, making it ideal for hamon formation, forge-hardened edges, and high-polish blades.
Processing Notes
Easy to forge, forge-weld, and grind
Ideal for differential hardening using clay tempering to create real hamon
Compatible with traditional blacksmith tools and heat sources
Best used on shorter to medium-length blades (10–28 inches)
Highly responsive to polish, making it popular for presentation-grade pieces
Not recommended for large impact tools or swords requiring heavy shock resistance
Ideal Applications
Traditional Japanese-style swords (wakizashi, tanto)
Display swords with authentic hamon
Reproduction of historical blades
Short and mid-length cutting tools
Custom fixed-blade knives with excellent sharpness
Material Options
Annealed bar stock for forging
Ground flat stock for stock removal
Clay-tempered blanks available on request
Custom thickness, width, and length available
Why Choose Us?
We’re more than just a steel supplier—we understand bladesmithing from the inside out. Every material we offer is carefully selected, professionally handled, and backed by real technical support.
We understand the real-world needs of sword makers and custom bladesmiths. From steel behavior during forging and quenching to EDM and final finishing, we speak your language—because we’re craftsmen too.
We stock carefully selected steels like CPM 3V, CPM 1V, and more—known for their toughness, edge retention, and dimensional stability. Whether treated or annealed, every batch is chosen for serious work.
Need specific dimensions for your blade profile? We offer custom cutting, stock thickness options, and surface prep to suit forging or grinding—saving you time and material waste.
We focus on long-term value—offering premium materials at fair prices. Whether you’re a one-blade-at-a-time maker or a growing workshop, we’ll work with your budget.
We understand that your build schedule depends on material arriving when promised. We ship on time, provide tracking, and follow up—so you can plan with confidence.
Have questions about heat treatment, material choice, or blade geometry? We’re here to help—not just before the sale, but anytime you need practical advice.
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Would you like to start a project with us?
Whether you’re crafting a single custom blade or building a full line of swords, we’re here to support your vision with the right materials and reliable service. Tell us what you’re making—we’ll help you choose the steel, prepare it, and get it to you on time. Let’s build something sharp together.