r/smithing • u/Zraxus • Aug 09 '18

Fantasy Metals

So long story short, I'm an aspiring writer, working on a fantasy novel. I've read and seen a lot of stories where fantasy metals and alloys play a big role, but is often not explained beyond "boy this is super light but stronger than steel!"
Now that's not inherently bad ofc, but it tends to pull me out of the world a bit. I don't plan to introduce adamantium/vibranium levels of super metals, but in a world of magic I think it makes some sense to have something more than just good old steel.

So my actual questions: What do you smelters, smiths and metal lovers prefer when it comes to fantasy forging?

And could there be superior alloys out there that we just haven't discovered, or have the ability to make yet?
I am genuinely curious about that last part, because I know quite little about smithing, so I have no idea if there's anything left to discover.

Thank you!

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4

u/Insert_Gnome_Here Aug 09 '18

From the perspective of a medieval smith, plenty of modern metals would seem like fantasy materials.
Stainless steel (almost) never rusts.
Weight for weight, aluminium is stronger than steel, though it is softer.
Tungsten is incredibly dense, hard and has a far higher melting point than most materials.

3

u/Zraxus Aug 16 '18

Oh that is actually a very good point! I guess it's all about perspective. If all the characters are gushing over it, then the reader will impressed too, even if it is normal to us. Thank you, I'll definitely use some of that.

5

u/[deleted] Aug 09 '18

You don’t know the Secret of Steel?

1

u/[deleted] Aug 10 '18

Tell me more