It followed the Bronze Age and was a vast improvement to the bronze axes from that period. Meteoric iron was sought whenever possible because it typically consisted of alloys that were tougher than the iron mined from earth. The Iron Age spanned the ancient civilizations. Greeks, Romans and Vikings used iron for their weapons. If you are lucky enough to have one of these, please follow the instructions for Carbon Steel Swords below.
Carbon steel is the most authentic sword material.
It was used during the medieval and renaissance periods and is still used today. The main problem with carbon steel is that it rusts. So, maintenance is really about keeping your sword blade out of contact with moisture or the air. All metal parts of your sword, including the wire wrapped handles, should always be covered with a light coating of oil to prevent rust. You should not store your sword in a sheath because moisture can form anywhere the sword contacts the sheath.