Hey all - hope you don't mind me posting this here, but I thought you guys might be able to help or suggest another group that would be more appropriate. A friend of mine is looking for a YA fantasy series that he read as a kid - the series can't be any newer than 1990, at the very latest. He can't remember any titles or author, but the plot point of the book that sticks out to him is that the focus was on forging swords that had their own personalities. Does this ring any bells with anyone? Thanks for your time!

Could it be the Book of Swords series by Fred Saberhagen? It fits the description and the time frame. I just never thought of them as YA.

I would second The Book of Swords by Fred Saberhagen. I was obsessed with them in my early teens.

Well, I passed the suggestion along to my friend, but no dice! They are now on his to-read list, though. :) Thanks for the help!

Have you tried posting in the Name That Book group? They might be able to figure it out.

Yep, found that group right after I posted here. But thanks for the suggestion!