T10 – High Carbon Steel Overview
High Carbon Tool Steel with Traditional Edge Holding
T10 is a classic high-carbon tool steel from China, well-known for its exceptional hardness, excellent edge retention, and traditional hamon-forming capabilities. It is often compared to 1095 steel but features slightly higher silicon content, making it more durable and slightly more wear-resistant.
T10 is favored by traditional swordsmiths and custom bladesmiths alike for its ability to produce an extremely sharp edge and clear hamon (differential hardening line). It is ideal for applications where hardness, sharpness, and tradition are prioritized over impact toughness.
Performance Overview
| Key Feature | Rating | Remarks |
| Edge Sharpness | ★★★★★ | Exceptional sharpness, ideal for fine cutting and traditional blades |
| Hardness Potential | ★★★★★ | Achieves up to HRC 63, retains hardness with hamon |
| Hamon Clarity | ★★★★★ | Excellent hamon line via differential hardening and clay tempering |
| Toughness | ★★☆☆☆ | Relatively low toughness, not suited for impact-heavy applications |
| Wear Resistance | ★★★☆☆ | Moderate wear resistance, adequate for display and light-use swords |
| Grindability | ★★★★☆ | Easy to grind and polish, suitable for hamon-focused finishing |
| Corrosion Resistance | ★☆☆☆☆ | Non-stainless, must be oiled and maintained regularly |
| Heat Treat Response | ★★★★☆ | Excellent for clay-tempered hamon; care needed to prevent cracking |
Heat Treatment Guidelines
T10 is highly responsive to traditional clay tempering methods and produces a beautiful hamon when differentially hardened. However, its high hardness comes with brittleness, so proper quenching control is critical.
Austenitizing Temperature: 760–800°C (1400–1470°F)
Quenching: Water or fast oil for full hardness (water preferred for hamon)
Tempering: 150–250°C depending on target hardness
Hardness Range: HRC 60–63 achievable
Cryo Treatment: Not necessary
Normalization: Strongly recommended prior to hardening
Improper quenching may lead to cracking, especially in longer or thin blades. Normalize after forging to refine grain structure and improve quench safety.
Chemical Composition
T10 is a non-alloyed high-carbon tool steel with a clean, traditional composition profile. It contains:
Carbon (C): ~1.00%
High carbon content gives it excellent hardness and edge formation.Silicon (Si): ~0.30%
Slightly higher than in 1095, improves wear resistance and strengthens the matrix.Manganese (Mn): ~0.30–0.50%
Enhances hardenability and structural consistency.
T10 does not contain chromium, vanadium, or molybdenum. It is not stainless and requires maintenance. Its simple chemistry allows for strong hamon development through differential hardening.
Processing Notes
T10 can be forged and differentially hardened using traditional methods. It requires careful thermal control, especially during quenching.
Easily hot-forged using coke, gas, or induction forges
Compatible with clay-coating and water quenching for hamon
Requires patient grinding and polishing to reveal hamon line
Ideal for users who prefer classic Japanese blade profiles
Cracking risk increases in blades over 28 inches if not handled properly
Ideal Applications
T10 is a steel for blades that demand precision, tradition, and edge sharpness. It is widely used in:
Japanese-style katana, wakizashi, and tanto
Custom hamon blades
High-end show swords
Traditional Chinese dao or jian
Collector-grade blades with polish and temper contrast
Material Options
We provide T10 in the following forms:
✅ Forging bar stock (annealed)
✅ Pre-cut blanks for polishing or stock removal
✅ Differentially heat-treated (clay-tempered) options
✅ Custom sizing 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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Years of Experience
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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.