What are weapons made with stainless steel?
- Guns
- Bladed weapons
- Bow and arrow
- Ceremonial and decorative weaponry
For as long as human culture has been around, conflicts have been one of the most common occurrences throughout history. This has led to the development of different kinds of weaponry over the years, ranging from swords, knives, spears, guns, and explosives. During the course of developing these weapons, the use of metals has been prominent due to the malleable and durable qualities that allow them to withstand a variety of harsh conditions.
From aircraft-grade aluminum to stainless steel in the Philippines, metals have been a fundamental element to create some of the most devastatingly effective weapons throughout history. With that in mind, here’s how stainless steel was used in different kinds of weaponry.
Stainless Steel in Guns
Guns have become the most common type of weaponry over the past few years, becoming the essential weapon for police and military forces across the world. Made out of a variety of different metals, gun making has constantly evolved to what it is today, providing well-crafted and technologically sophisticated weapons that can withstand different conditions. Gun manufacturing has also become one of the largest industries in the world as well, with over millions of arms being produced and sold on a regular basis.
Stainless steel is one of the materials used in weaponry, as their light weight and durability make them ideal metals for small arms. The ease of manufacturing using stainless steel was another advantage, as companies can produce large numbers of weapons at a rapid rate. These small arms include different kinds of pistols, like magazine-fed handguns and revolvers. Some of these stainless steel guns, like the variant of the iconic M1911 pistol, became a very popular handgun during the time. Along with guns constructed from all-aluminum steel, a number of guns also use stainless parts for their construction, as it helps reduce the weight of the gun and make spare parts easier to make.
Stainless Steel in Bladed Weapons
Bladed weapons also have a rich history of being manufactured in a wide variety of steel types. Commonly forged in fire, swords and knives are known for their complex process that allows blacksmiths to create sharp and durable bladed weapons. The process of forging is a long and complicated one, which is why stainless steel is used to create certain bladed weapons.
With swords delegated to ceremonial events and practices, a good number of these swords have been constructed using stainless steel. Unlike forged steel, some stainless steel blades are created through sculpting and sharpening metal pieces. The lightweight of stainless steel makes bladed weapons using this material much lighter and easier to wield. Stainless steel is also resistant to rust when applied with chromium, making it even more durable and easier to sharpen. Today, most blades constructed using stainless steel are short-swords and knives, where their light weight gives them an advantage when wielding.
Stainless Steel in Bow and Arrows
Like swords, bows and arrows have become a staple in warfare before the advent of firearms. Early bows and arrows used a combination of wood, stone, and metal for their parts, and were relatively easy to construct. Over the years, more durable materials have been used to construct bows and arrows to help them withstand the rigors of survival and combat.
This led to the use of stainless steel to create lightweight and high-velocity arrows and bows that are durable and easy to handle. This also made bows and arrows easier to manufacture as well, as stainless steel is readily available. Along with bows and arrows, crossbows can be constructed using stainless steel, providing a light and solid platform that can launch bolts accurately.
Stainless steel bows and arrows are also used in competitive archery, with some parts and arrowheads being used as key parts in the overall construction. When it comes to speed and accuracy in competitive archery, stainless steel arrows can provide the same effectiveness as arrows that were developed from other types of steel materials.
Stainless Steel in Ceremonial and Decorative Weaponry
While these types of weaponry are not used for combat, a good number of ceremonial and decorative weapons are constructed from stainless steel from the Philippines. Being a more affordable and durable material, these decorative swords and knives can be displayed on a shelf for long periods without the worry of having them rust or deteriorate from being exposed to dust and moisture. While they are not suited for combat and self-defense, these decorative and ceremonial weapons are great pieces that would look great on display in the room of your home.
Key Takeaway
Metal has been one of the staple materials used in making weaponry for over a number of centuries, with stainless steel being one of the main materials used to construct a wide variety of weaponry. As the development of weapons become more sophisticated, stainless steel looks to be a material that would continue to be used to create more effective weaponry in the foreseeable future.