Tool Steel W1-Cold Drawn Rectangular Bar 1/4" x 3/16" Retail Price

About W1|Water-hardening tool steel. The simplest and cheapest tool steel. Essentially high-carbon steel (0.70-1.50% C) with the specification controls expected of tool steel. Hardens by water quench to HRC 64-66 on the surface. Only shallow-hardens, so the core stays soft and tough. Maximum distortion during heat treatment among common tool steels. Used for cold heading dies, woodworking tools, hand tools, and springs. Popular with bladesmiths for its fine grain and excellent edge quality. Compare to O1 (oil-hardening, less distortion, slightly more expensive) and 1095 (similar carbon content, basic carbon steel without tool steel controls).

About Rectangular Bar|Solid rectangular cross-section stock. Functionally similar to flat bar but typically available in thicker, chunkier profiles. The naming varies by supplier — what one calls rectangular bar, another calls flat bar. Used for keys, gibs, wear strips, brackets, and any part where a rectangular starting profile saves setup time versus milling from plate.