What is the strongest metal that can be used to make a blade?

Answer 1

Titanium and its alloys have very high strength-to-weight ratios. The densities of titanium-based alloys range between 0.160 lb/in3 (4.43 gm/cm3) and 0.175 lb/in3 (4.85 gm/cm3). Yield strengths range from 25,000 psi (172 MPa) for commercially pure Grade 1 to greater than 200,000 psi (1380 MPa) for heat-treated beta alloys. Titanium and its alloys have very high strength-to-weight ratios. The densities of titanium-based alloys range between 0.160 lb/in3 (4.43 gm/cm3) and 0.175 lb/in3 (4.85 gm/cm3). Yield strengths range from 25,000 psi (172 MPa) for commercially pure Grade 1 to greater than 200,000 psi (1380 MPa) for heat-treated beta alloys.

Answer 2

Combat swords are forged from steel. The best swords use a combination of metals, while lesser weapons make do with homogeneous steel, typically 440 stainless. Swords made by traditional Japanese method use a flexible lower-carbon steel core sheathed in a stronger, high-carbon steel jacket. European weapons typically were made from a single type of steel.

With modern technology, swords made from titanium or similar metals are certainly possible, but "strong" is a very loaded term in swordmaking. Traditionally "strong" metals are very hard and inflexible, and an inflexible sword will break rather than absorbing impact. So, while it is possible to make a sword from titanium, its performance characteristics can, depending on the forging techniques used, render it inferior to common steel blades.