Tim Wescott wrote:

On the other hand, if I take 12L14, get it to the shape I want, and do
the _very best heat treat in the world_, then -- because of the low
carbon content -- it's not going to be much harder. Right?

It isn't going to get much harder, you would have to case harden it (carbon packing), and
it doesn't weld well. Sure is nice to turn though. I have a bunch of barends from when
we ran a Index G200.

Wes
--
"Additionally as a security officer, I carry a gun to protect
government officials but my life isn't worth protecting at home
in their eyes." Dick Anthony Heller