The brief review of Chinese steel history

Steel quenching process is first seen as the weapons of warring states period in Heibei, China. Quenching process can improve the hardness and abrasive resistance. It is said that two technician, Ouyezi and Ganjiang made three swords, named “ longyuan” (龙渊) “Tai’A” (太阿) and “Gongbu” (工布), which are quenched in local longquan.

The old saying “镕金造器，特异常法”refers to the three thousand swords made by Puyuan, who was an outstanding weapon making technician in Three Kingdoms period. In order to test its quality, Puyuan made soldiers fill up the thick bamboo tube with iron shots. Then the soldiers heavily chopped the tube. People found that both tube and the iron shots were broken. The steel sword made by Puyuan was praised to be able to sacred sword which could “斩金断玉，削铁如泥”.