26-10-2021, 06:40 AM
(This post was last modified: 26-10-2021, 06:42 AM by Bob Culver.)
It is interesting to reflect that until about the 1860s high carbon steel was a very valuable commodity. Wrought iron was known from about 2000 BC but it was the development of steel ie hardenable "iron" which heralded the iron age, about 1200 BC, although it took near 1000 years to cross Europe to Britain. Peasants did not have swords because were so expensive. Steel was extensively hammer welded to less expensive wrought iron to provide cutting edges. A solid carbon steel axe head or old leaf would have been very highly prized, though now of little more value than soft mild steel. Many old axes had just a hard edge.
Myriads of guys make custom knives; mostly from car leaf or coil springs so despite all the b.s. and fancy prices they do not really know exactly what made of or the optimum treatment.
In the 1950s broke a leaf in our Seven. The spring maker gave a great spin about the art of hardening and tempering. After a week the short top leaf bent up and stayed there. My father was not impressed.
A broken rear main can be serious in a Seven. The cracks are usually very evident for a very long time prior (unless hidden by gaiters)
Broken springs were common in all cars. A springmaker told my father that oiling the springs was the main cause!. But before very effective ling lived hydraulic s.as. May have been just carbon steel and not alloyed.
Myriads of guys make custom knives; mostly from car leaf or coil springs so despite all the b.s. and fancy prices they do not really know exactly what made of or the optimum treatment.
In the 1950s broke a leaf in our Seven. The spring maker gave a great spin about the art of hardening and tempering. After a week the short top leaf bent up and stayed there. My father was not impressed.
A broken rear main can be serious in a Seven. The cracks are usually very evident for a very long time prior (unless hidden by gaiters)
Broken springs were common in all cars. A springmaker told my father that oiling the springs was the main cause!. But before very effective ling lived hydraulic s.as. May have been just carbon steel and not alloyed.