This steel is stamped on one end with either 09 or 60 depending how you look at it. It came out of my silver steel drawer, but I now think it isn't silver steel as although I have had it through the usual softening routine, I am finding it very difficult to turn. I suppose the question really is, does anyone recognise the numbers?

I have tried the spark test to no avail – it doesn't seem to spark like other genuine silver steel, yet doesn't quite give the same spark as manganese steel. In fact it seems to be a cross between medium carbon steel & "cast" steel (high carbon steel) using the designations in Tubal Cain's Model Engineers Handbook. (A second look at the spark test suggests possibly nearer manganese steel – in other words, I don't bloomin well know!)

It is magnetic, can be filed, and can be hacksawed with a junior hacksaw, but does skate about before getting a grip – unless it is the scale resulting from heating that's causing that.

I have to admit that I am ready for scrapping it – it is only 30mm long – in favour of some known silver steel, but would like to know what the numbers mean.

MTIA,

Peter G. Shaw

Edited By Peter G. Shaw on 24/07/2020 14:59:10