Tungsten Sword – Can You Make a Sword Out of Tungsten?

Swords can be made from a variety of materials, from iron and steel to titanium and even carbon fiber. But what about tungsten? Can you make a sword out of tungsten?

In this blog post, we will explore the possibilities of creating a sword from tungsten, and if it’s even possible. I will go over some of the Pros and Cons of using tungsten for swords, as well as what type of sword might be best suited for this material.

By the end of this post, you’ll have a better understanding of whether or not a tungsten sword is something you might want to consider.

So, let’s get started!

Can You Make a Sword Out of Tungsten?

Although it is possible to make a sword out of tungsten, the sword would be extremely heavy, as tungsten is one of the densest materials known to man. It would also be too brittle for a functional sword and would easily break or shatter if used as a weapon.

Another issue with making a tungsten sword is that it’s incredibly difficult to forge. Tungsten requires very high temperatures and long periods of force to shape it into usable material. Even experienced smiths would have a difficult time forging this material into a usable blade.

What Swords Can You Make From Tungsten?

Even though tungsten is not the best metal for making swords, that doesn’t mean it is completely useless. Tungsten is ideal for making decorative swords and display pieces, as it has a very high melting point, and its low malleability makes it difficult to damage or deform.

The most common types of swords made from tungsten include:

  • Fantasy swords
  • Katana swords
  • Wall hangers
  • Letter openers
  • Needle sword (stabber)

Tungsten Fantasy Swords

Fantasy swords are the most popular type of tungsten sword, as their ornate designs make them perfect for display. These swords are typically made from a single piece of metal, without any hilt or handle components to them. They can also be made with additional features like gems and engravings that add to their aesthetic appeal.

Katana Swords made with Tungsten

Since tungsten swords can weigh 2.44 times more than steel swords, the ideal type of sword for tungsten is a katana. Katanas and Japanese Nagamakis tend to have thinner blades and longer handles, which helps to offset the extra weight of the tungsten.

A tungsten katana can also have a razor-sharp edge and retain its sharpness for a long time. This makes them ideal for display or decoration, as they can stay sharp without requiring frequent sharpening like other metals.

Tungsten Wall Hangers

Wall hangers are decorative swords that are designed to be hung on a wall. They usually come with some type of stand or mount, so they can be displayed in a prominent location. Using tungsten makes them a unique and attractive addition to any home or office.

Letter Openers made with Tungsten

Tungsten letter openers are a great way to add some class and elegance to your desk. They have a smooth, sharp blade that is perfect for slicing through envelopes and packages quickly and efficiently.

Needle Sword (Stabber) made with Tungsten

The needle sword, also known as a stabber, is a small sword designed for thrusting attacks. It is usually made from thinner metal than other swords and has a pointed tip for added penetration power.

Making Swords Out of Tungsten- Pros & Cons

Now that you know what types of swords can be made out of tungsten, let’s look at the Pros and Cons of using this metal for your sword-making projects.

Pros of Tungsten Swords:

Extremely Hard: Tungsten is one of the hardest materials known to man and is resistant to corrosion, wear, and tear.

Sharp: Tungsten alloy can be honed to an extremely sharp edge, while its hardness will ensure it stays sharp for a very long time.

Unique Aesthetics: Tungsten has a beautiful, dark gray color that makes it stand out from other metals used in sword-making. It also takes on an attractive sheen when polished.

Cons of Tungsten Swords:

Very Expensive: Due to its premium quality and difficulty in forging, tungsten swords are typically more expensive than those made from other metals.

Brittle: Although tungsten metal is very hard, it is also very brittle and can easily chip or even shatter if struck with enough force.

Heavy: Tungsten swords tend to be heavier than those made from other metals. In fact, a sword made from tungsten alloy can weigh 2.44 times more than a steel sword, making them almost impossible to wield.

Difficult to Sharpen: Sharpening a tungsten sword will require special tools and precise technique, as the metal is much harder than steel.

Not Flexible: Swords need to be able to bend and bounce back after being struck and tungsten is not very malleable, making it difficult to create a sword with enough flexibility.

Is Tungsten Good For Swords?

Pure tungsten is a dense grey metal with an extremely high melting point (6191.6°F). It is also known for its good corrosion resistance. The hardness of tungsten is quite similar to hardened steel or emerald. It is also fairly ductile. Pure tungsten is commonly used for welding applications and medical equipment.

However, when we say tungsten, we typically refer to tungsten carbide, its alloy. Namely, tungsten carbide is a compound of tungsten combined with carbon. It is renowned in the industry for its high melting point, strength, and durability. Tungsten carbide is commonly used in applications that require considerable impact or wear resistance, such as cutters, punches, abrasives, and dies.

When combined with carbon, its hardness is noticeably increased which also means better scratch resistance and edge retention. It also comes in grades, depending on the used binders. Unfortunately, tungsten carbide is too brittle which means bad news for a tungsten sword. As you know, swords require some amount of flexibility, due to their heavy-duty use. So, having a hard but also very brittle sword is not a great idea. It would probably crack after the first use.

Typically, tungsten carbide consists of approximately 85% tungsten and 15% carbon. Nickel or cobalt are also usually added. Since carbon content slightly reduces its brittleness, it makes it easier to work with. Cobalt or nickel acts as a binder, holding it all together and making it possible to work with.

Don’t forget about the weight of tungsten carbide.  Namely, tungsten weighs two times more than steel. Again, not great news if you plan to make a sword out of it, especially if you are planning to use it. So, if you have two swords of the same size where one is made of steel and the other one from tungsten, the second one is much heavier. Having a heavy sword like that is not so practical.

A cutting sword has to be flexible to resist the angular momentum that is involved in cutting. So, trying to make a sword out of would be a good exercise in which you would try to do the best out of bad material. For instance, if you plan to make such a sword, I would recommend making a small sword. Since large swords are typically biomechanically very demanding, tungsten is not recommended. On the other hand, smallswords are much smaller and lighter and also tend to have a balance center closer to the hand.

Also, probably nobody could effectively swing a thick long sword, so it is ideal to minimize the volume with a skinny, single-edge sword for maximum strength. By reducing the volume you would also decrease the mass.

Can You Forge Tungsten Carbide?

Ok, enough of the theory, and let’s get to the practical aspects. Even if the material is good, if you can’t forge it, it doesn’t matter. When it comes to tungsten, we already know that it isn’t an ideal material for swordmaking. But there may be people who still want to take a chance and find the answer for themselves.

So, can you forge tungsten carbide? You can forge tungsten carbide, however, it is extremely difficult and unpractical. There is a great possibility of breaking during the forging process, mainly due to its brittleness. It is also not practical since forging tungsten carbide requires achieving at least 4000°F-5000°F). Another problem is that you would probably ruin the face of the anvil while forging it.

As you can see, the greatest obstacle to efficiently forging tungsten carbide is reaching these extremely high temperatures. You can’t do that with an average propane forge. Even if you can reach it, it would require a lot of fuel.

Last year I tried to experiment with making a tungsten sword. It was very hard to shape it due to its incredible hardness, but I managed to finish it somehow. Keep in mind that was a small blade, not a sword.

Another problem with forging a tungsten carbide is its fumes during heating. Due to the content of nickel and chromium, these fumes may present a health hazard that can even trigger asthma.

Don’t think if you don’t have asthma that you are safe. Even low exposure can cause health problems. Note that also breathing any dust or mist containing tungsten carbide may be dangerous. To prevent this, you should have good ventilation in the shop, wear a good-quality respirator during work, and wear protective gloves. As always, proper clothing is required.

Down below is a video of a guy trying to forge a piece of tungsten carbide.

As you can see in the video, he is using a regular coal forge which is simply not enough. He couldn’t do anything to that piece of metal.

Can You Mix Tungsten with Titanium?

Since tungsten carbide by itself cannot produce a good-quality sword, there may be other options which include mixing it with another alloy. One that comes to my mind is titanium

Mixing tungsten carbide with titanium for making a sword is possible but the quality would be questioned. The body made from titanium would be flexible whereas tungsten carbide would make a great edge. Since forging these two is hard and impractical, machining out a piece of titanium and then wedging tungsten onto the edge is a better option.

Note that titanium and tungsten are commonly used in producing turbine tools and blades. Making a sword blade out of these two materials is very intriguing, however, steel alloys are still a superior option. Don’t forget that tungsten carbide is stiffer than steel, not stronger.

Final Thoughts

Ok, let’s finally give some conclusion. As you can see, making such a sword is possible but the quality would be questioned.

Tungsten is simply too brittle and stiff to make a functional sword. On the other hand, tungsten would make a good kitchen knife. In fact, there are many more kitchen knives made out of tungsten than there are swords.

In my opinion, steel is still a greatly superior option when it comes to swordmaking, so I would choose steel. However, if you have enough money and time for this experiment then go for it.

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