What is the fictional metal used to forge Bilbo’s sword Sting in Tolkien’s legendarium?
Answer
No named fictional metal
Tolkien never gives the metal of Bilbo’s sword Sting a named fictional-metal designation.
Sting is an Elvish knife found by Bilbo Baggins in a troll-hoard alongside the swords Glamdring and Orcrist. Though made as a knife for Elves, it is large enough for a Hobbit to use as a sword. Its blade glows blue when Orcs or Goblins are nearby.
Mithril is a separate fictional metal in Tolkien’s writings, famous for its lightness, strength, and silver-like appearance. Sting is not identified as being made of mithril in the primary texts. This makes the question a useful distinction between the weapon’s Elvish origin and the material of other famous objects.
After Bilbo gives Sting to Frodo, Frodo carries it during the quest to destroy the One Ring. The weapon’s light is an important warning sign in Mirkwood and Moria.