1095 High Carbon Steel Bar Blanks

1095 high carbon steel bar blanks are the traditional choice for springs, blades, and wear components that demand maximum hardness from a simple carbon steel. With 0.90-1.03% carbon and minimal alloying elements, 1095 represents the practical upper limit of the AISI 10xx plain carbon series, delivering the highest attainable hardness and wear resistance from an inexpensive, readily available steel. The high carbon content of 1095 allows it to reach 63-65 HRC as-quenched, with typical working hardness of 58-62 HRC after tempering depending on the application. For knives and cutting tools, tempering at 375-425°F produces 59-61 HRC with adequate toughness for light to moderate duty blades. For spring applications, tempering at 750-850°F reduces hardness to 48-52 HRC while maximizing elastic resilience and fatigue life. Knife makers should understand that 1095 behaves differently from 1084 during heat treatment. The higher carbon content makes 1095 a shallower hardening steel with a narrower optimal austenitizing window around 1,475°F. A fast quench in water, brine, or fast oil is required for full hardness, and the risk of quench cracking is higher than with the more forgiving 1084. In its annealed condition, 1095 machines and grinds well for profiling blade shapes and machining spring forms. One key consideration is that 1095 has essentially no corrosion resistance, and blades and springs must be protected with oil, coating, or surface treatment to prevent rust. Our 1095 bar blanks are annealed to maximum softness and cut from certified mill stock.