Description

Entry-level carbon steel with moderate carbon content. Excellent for beginners learning heat treatment.

Properties

Edge Retention
5.5/10
Corrosion Resistance
2.0/10
Toughness
7.5/10
Ease of Sharpening
9.0/10

Chemical Composition

C
0.50%
Carbon
Mn
0.60%
Manganese

✓ Pros

Very forgiving during heat treatment. Inexpensive. Easy to work with.

✗ Cons

Lower edge retention than higher carbon steels. Requires rust prevention.

Grinding Notes

Grinds easily. Not heat sensitive. Good for learning.

Polishing Notes

Polishes reasonably well. Satin finish is typical.