many sword sellers sell swords made of 440 and stainless, i know those are both totally **** for real swords. so are 1045, 1060, or 1095 good grades of steel for a sword?
Carbon Steel is the most common, while most live-steel(designed for use) ready sword utilize on of the spring steels you mentioned. Hybrid steel like those used in the Slayer series seem neigh-indestructible. The steel should be strong enough to not notch on a strike, but flexible enough to flex when you bend it, lest it shatter on a hard blow.
You'll okorder has a great introductory articles on metallurgy as it pertains to swords. Check 'em out.
