[Bill Harsey]

Yes leaf springs are very servicable for tough duty knives. All are at least a medium carbon steel that can be hardened and tempered for knife use. Some spring steels have enough carbon to be considered high carbon steels. The reason they are not considered tool steels is they are a simple alloy of mostly iron and carbon (Yes, I know what ASIA 5160 spring steel is made of but don't start that here) and the amount of refinement at the steel mills to remove inclusions and other impurities from the billet before rolling into usable stock is not as refined a process as for high grade tool steels. Forging these spring steels, even in primitive conditions, can further refine this material into a valuable blade. I know some of you have seen this done in other countries. Greenhat, Sir, get the sumbitch warm next time, shaping the steel will go a little faster.