Part of the MoonSwords Steel Guide series. See the full matrix to compare every steel we forge.
Quick answer: High-manganese steel (65Mn), 1065 carbon steel and high-speed steel are the three steels behind our most accessible swords, starting at $159. 65Mn and 1065 sit at the tougher, more forgiving end of our range, typically 52–58 HRC. High-speed steel is a wear-resistant tool steel, typically 58–62 HRC. All three are hand-forged and full-tang, and none is listed as clay-tempered, so a hamon is not the focus on these blades.
High-Manganese Steel (65Mn)
65Mn is a spring-type carbon steel: about 0.65% carbon with roughly 1% manganese. The manganese improves how deeply the steel hardens and adds toughness, so 65Mn is known for flexing and recovering rather than chipping. The trade-off is edge retention, which is moderate compared with our high-carbon steels. Typical hardness for a sword is 52–58 HRC.
Our 65Mn swords: Blue Ocean ($159), Aoki Ōkami, Kinchiku, Kinryū and our Nichirin-inspired katana ($369). Surface finish varies by model, so check each listing for details.
1065 Carbon Steel
1065 is a plain carbon steel with about 0.65% carbon, the same family as 1095 but with less carbon. Less carbon means a more forgiving blade with moderate edge retention, typically 54–58 HRC. Our 1065 sword is the Black Dragon ($169), a hand-forged, full-tang katana with a uniform finish.
High-Speed Steel
High-speed steel was developed for machine tools that run hot and fast. Its tungsten, molybdenum, chromium and vanadium content forms hard carbides that resist wear, giving it very high edge retention, typically 58–62 HRC in a sword. The trade-off is lower toughness than our other entry steels. It is uniformly hardened, so you won't see a hamon. Our high-speed steel sword is the Aogoi ($229).
The Three Side by Side
- Most forgiving: 65Mn and 1065
- Longest-lasting edge: high-speed steel
- Lowest price: Blue Ocean (65Mn) at $159 and Black Dragon (1065) at $169
Want a true hamon at a similar price? Look at our clay-tempered T8 and T10 katana from $219. Browse all of our entry-level katana.
Care
None of these steels is stainless. 65Mn and 1065 are a little more forgiving than high-carbon steels, and high-speed steel's chromium content helps slightly, but all three still need a wipe after handling and a light coat of oil.
FAQ
Is 65Mn steel good for a katana?
It is a tough, forgiving steel and a solid choice for an accessible first sword. If edge retention or a hamon matters more, step up to T8 or T10.
Are your HRC figures measured?
They are typical ranges for each steel when heat-treated for a sword. Where a product page lists a figure, that figure applies to that sword.