| Abstract Scope |
The Jian is an officer's sword, though it also later became common for many soldiers. It is first and foremost a refined and balanced double- edged blade, comparable in role to something like an arming sword. Culturally, Jian are also significant as being the weapon of choice for many gods, especially those stars responsible for quelling demons. “Jian” is also used as a component in some given names. The material for this blade will be a medium carbon steel. This metal will be forged, heat treated, and tempered to form the ideal microstructure for a blade of this type. Alongside the processing of the blade, smaller metal samples will be treated in the same manner, allowing for characterization of the steel in each step of its processing. Characterization of the steel will involve scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and Vickers hardness. |