What I’m interested is basically the ultimate material for swords. The best material that I’ve been able to find is 5160 steel. I’d love to know if there was something better than that.
One recurring theme I keep hearing is that there is no “perfect” steel. It all depends on the intended use, balancing toughness and hardness, and how much you want to pay. But 5160 is very popular for swords and machetes because it’s tough and springy. A lot of makers use it.