T10 steel (also known as carbon tool steel, containing approximately 1.0% carbon) is an ultra-high carbon steel known for its extremely high hardness and excellent wear resistance. It is ideal for making swords that require ultimate sharpness and powerful cutting performance. However, its high carbon nature also means extremely demanding heat treatment processes to balance its brittleness.
Main features:
Extremely high hardness and wear resistance: The carbon content of nearly 1.0% allows the hardness to easily reach above HRC60 or even higher after proper heat treatment. This makes the blade made of T10 steel have unparalleled sharpness and long-lasting edge retention, and has extremely excellent wear resistance.
Excellent edge retention: Due to its high hardness, T10 steel swords can maintain the sharpness of the edge for a long time and perform well when cutting soft targets (such as straw mats, water bottles, ropes).
High sensitivity to heat treatment: This is the key to the success or failure of T10 steel. Excellent heat treatment (such as precise quenching and tempering) can enable it to exert “Kobelco”-like performance; however, if heat treatment is improper, it is very easy to become too brittle and chip or break when subjected to lateral impact or improper use.
Clear burnt edge potential: T10 steel is one of the excellent materials for the “soil-covered burnt edge” process. Its high carbon composition and clear phase transition point make the halo pattern (quenching line) formed after quenching very clear and beautiful, with both performance and artistic value.
Application:
High-end cutting swords: Especially suitable for making samurai swords, ribs, etc. whose core purpose is sharp cutting and display of sharpness.
Collectible handmade swords: Many swordsmiths like to use T10 steel through the earth-covered and burnt blade process to create collectibles that combine performance and beauty.
Professional cutting tools: Used to make files, drill bits, planers and other tools that require extremely high hardness and wear resistance.
