We are currently using 4 steels to make our products:
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1018 Steel
This steel is a low-carbon, general-purpose steel. The carbon level is approx 0.18%. It cannot be hardened.Jeff Adam's products are made from 1018. Any finish can be applied.
[read more about low carbon steel] -
1045 Steel
This steel is a medium-carbon steel with mechanical properties that combine strength and hardness. The carbon level is approx 0.45%. We buy high-quality, cold-drawn 1045. 1045 is a simple medium-carbon steel; very similar to steels that were used to make swords and axes before the industrial revolution. Our 1045 is fully hardened and tempered to maximize toughness.Our shuriken are made from 1045 steel. Any finish can be applied.
[read more about medium carbon steel] -
W-1 Tool Steel
This steel is a high-carbon steel characterized by significant hardness and abrasion resistance. The carbon level is approx 0.95%. We buy cold-drawn W-1 that is manufactured at an American rolling mill. W-1 is essentially a simple high-carbon steel; very similar to the high-carbon steels that were made before the industrial revolution. Our W-1 is full hardened and tempered to maximize toughness.Our shuriken are made from W-1 tool steel. Any finish can be applied.
[read more about tool steel] -
1075 Spring Steel
This steel is a high-carbon steel, exemplifying strength, toughness, hardness and abrasion resistance. The carbon level is approx 0.75%. We buy high-quality, cold-rolled 1075. 1075 is essentially a simple high-carbon steel; very similar to the high-carbon steels that were made before the industrial revolution. Our 1075 is fully hardened and tempered to maximize toughness.Our knives are made from 1075 spring steel. Any finish can be applied.
[read more about spring steel]
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Black Oxide Finish
Our Black Oxide finish is a conversion coating formed by an alkaline aqueous hot salt solution. It is the same professional finish that you may see on many hand tools and firearms. We outsource this process. It offers a sleek, matte black appearance and a considerable level of corrosion resistance. -
Sandblasted Finish
Our Sandblasted finish exposes the bare steel with a scratch-resistant, non-glare texture. We ship our items with a coating of corrosion-resistant firearm oil. -
Grey Etch Finish
Our Grey Etch finish is created with a ferric chloride solution. It offers a rustic appearance and a small level of corrosion protection. -
Black Oil Finish
Our Black Oil finish is created with vegetable oil. It is a rustic, textured finish, and no two pieces look the same. It offers a moderate level of corrosion resistance. -
Black Etch Finish
Our Black Etch finish is created with a liquid chemical blackening agent, similar to gun blue. It offers a moderate level of corrosion resistance. -
Parkerized Finish
Our Parkerized finish is created by applying an electrochemical phosphate conversion coating. It offers a textured grey appearance and a considerable level of corrosion resistance. -
Black Parkerized Finish
Our Black Parkerized finish is created by applying an electrochemical phosphate conversion coating. It offers a textured dark grey appearance and a considerable level of corrosion resistance.
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Steel:
Steel is truly an amazing material. It can exhibit a vast range of physical properties such as strength, toughness, resilience, abrasion resistance, ductility, and brittleness. The chemical composition of steel determines the potential for desirable properties to be exhibited. A first-class heat-treatment brings this potential to full realization. At Flying Steel, we use high-quality steels and advanced heat-treating methods. Steel is composed of iron, carbon, and various other elements. Elements other than iron are referred to as "alloying elements." Thus, the term "low alloy" describes a steel that is mostly iron and carbon; the term "high alloy" describes a steel that contains other elements, such as chromium, vanadium, manganese, silicon, nickel, or molybdenum. Of all the alloying elements, none plays a bigger role in the properties of steel than carbon. The carbon level determines if the steel will respond to heat-treatment. Because of this, steel can be usefully categorized by carbon content. -
The Role of Carbon:
The properties of ductility, strength, toughness, resilience, hardness, abrasion resistance, and brittleness are largely controlled by the carbon level. At 0% carbon, iron is ductile, but lacks most of the other aforementioned properties. At 2% carbon, "cast iron" is brittle, but lacks most of the other properties. As the carbon range moves from 0% to 2%, desirable properties such as strength, toughness, resilience, hardness, and abrasion resistance can be achieved. Lower carbon levels are generally equated with strength. Medium carbon levels are generally equated with toughness, resilience, and strength. High carbon levels are generally equated with hardness and abrasion resistance. However, these trends can be heavily manipulated through heat-treating techniques or the presence of other alloying elements. -
Low Carbon Steel and Mild Steel:
Carbon content is 0.05% to 0.29% These steels cannot be hardened. Steels in this category include 1018, A36, 1008, and 1010. Although "stainless steels" are considered a separate category, some stainless steels (such as 304) fit into this carbon range and are comparable to mild steel in terms of strength, hardness, toughness, and abrasion resistance. Mild steel is the most common form of steel. Its price is relatively low while it provides material properties (such as strength, some ductility, and comparative ease of machining) that are acceptable for most applications. It is often used when large amounts of steel is needed, for example as structural steel. -
Medium and High Carbon Steel:
Carbon content is 0.30% to 1.70% These steels can be hardened. The properties described below refer to steels that have been appropriately heat-treated.-
Medium Carbon Steel
Carbon content is 0.30% to 0.59% Steels in this category include 1045 and 1050. Many medium carbon steels are referred to as "spring steels." "Alloy steels" (such as 4140) are considered a separate category, but most have a medium carbon level. Medium carbon steels balance ductility and strength and have good abrasion resistance. They are used for applications demanding higher strength, toughness, and abrasion resistance than low carbon steel can offer; for example automotive components and gears. -
High Carbon Steel:
Carbon content is 0.60% to 1.7%+ Steels in this category include 1060, 1075, 1084, and 1095. Many high carbon steels are referred to as "spring steels". Generally, "tool steels" are considered a separate category, but most tool steels (such as W-1, O-1, A-2, D-2, and S-7) can be described as high carbon. Some "alloy steels" (such as 5160) are high-carbon. Most specialty knife/tool steels (such as S30V, 154CM, ATS34) are high-carbon. Many stainless steels (such as 440) also fall into the high carbon range. High carbon steels are very strong. Hardness and abrasion resistance are maximized. They are used to make manufacturing tools, hand tools, medical equipment, knives, springs, and parts for the aerospace industry.
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Our Quality Policy:
If your items bend or break over their lifetime, simply contact us. -
Items made from Tool Steel, Spring Steel, or 1045 Steel:
Ship the items back to us.Broken items will be replaced. Bent items will be straightened. We will ship the items back to you. This does not include detailed restoration nor refinishing.
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Items made from 1018 Steel:
Ship the items back to us along with $5 (Money Order or PayPal) return shipping.Broken items will be replaced. Bent items will be straightened. We will ship the items back to you. This does not include detailed restoration nor refinishing.
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All Items:
Refinishing and restoration (i.e. re-grinding points, etc) is available for a nominal fee at any time.