Anybody know what type of steel "plow" steel might be?

B

BallewBlade

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Oct 10, 2011
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I work at a welding shop and I have been eyeballing a piece of flat bar that says plow steel on it. Its 3/8 thick, 4 in wide and about 3ft long. I was wondering what type of steel it may be and if it would make a good blade. And would it be good for forging seeing as its 3/8 thick?
 
Plow steel is simple carbon steel. It is rated in the number of refining cycles it has. It is denatated as -
X, XX, XXX
plow steel, improved plow steel, double improved plow steel, and triple improved plow steel.

The range is from 1050 to 1095.
 
bladsmth said:
Plow steel is simple carbon steel. It is rated in the number of refining cycles it has. It is denatated as -
X, XX, XXX
plow steel, improved plow steel, double improved plow steel, and triple improved plow steel.

The range is from 1050 to 1095.
Click to expand...

Well in that case I might forge a small blade and see what happens. Thanks for the info.
 
bladsmth said:
Plow steel is simple carbon steel. It is rated in the number of refining cycles it has. It is denatated as -
X, XX, XXX
plow steel, improved plow steel, double improved plow steel, and triple improved plow steel.

The range is from 1050 to 1095.
Click to expand...

That is interesting. Can you point me in the right direction for more information?

I have used "Plow-Steel" many times over the years, and still have some in various forms, but I would sure like to know if mine is X or XX, or XXX.

Thanks,

Robert
 
Robert Dark said:
That is interesting. Can you point me in the right direction for more information?

I have used "Plow-Steel" many times over the years, and still have some in various forms, but I would sure like to know if mine is X or XX, or XXX.

Thanks,

Robert
Click to expand...

Plow Steel
Improved Plow Steel
Extra Improved Plow Steel
Extra Extra Improved Plow Steel

Those grades are also used to rate wire rope "cable"

I believe that an OLD machinery's handbook listed steel type for those.

Although like everything else now, it may refer to tensile strength rather than specific steel type.

(that would allow them to multi source from offshore without getting caught over certifications being technically named wrong)
 
I have some chisel plows that I was able to trace back to the manufacturer and identify 9260. Unfortunately, I also learned 1060 could be substituted. Might be good for a damascus axe or hammer. :)
 
Hysterical Google Search -
I just put in XXX plow steel in the browser bar....and got a whole lot of porno sites and nude photo adds.
 
bladsmth said:
Hysterical Google Search -
I just put in XXX plow steel in the browser bar....and got a whole lot of porno sites and nude photo adds.
Click to expand...

Just for giggles I did the same thing, first one on the list is this thread! Just don't click on the "Steel aperture amplifying plow" link...
 
What I found was 1065 for Plow, 1075 for Improved Plow, and 1085 for Extra Improved Plow, and 1095 for Extra Extra Improved Plow.
Another search just listed 1065,1075, and 1095 as X,XX,XXX.

It all should make a good knife.
 
bladsmth said:
What I found was 1065 for Plow, 1075 for Improved Plow, and 1085 for Extra Improved Plow, and 1095 for Extra Extra Improved Plow.
Another search just listed 1065,1075, and 1095 as X,XX,XXX.

It all should make a good knife.
Click to expand...

Thanks much.

Robert
 
bladsmth said:
What I found was 1065 for Plow, 1075 for Improved Plow, and 1085 for Extra Improved Plow, and 1095 for Extra Extra Improved Plow.
Another search just listed 1065,1075, and 1095 as X,XX,XXX.

It all should make a good knife.
Click to expand...

Cool thanks, I will snag that bar up for sure. It just has "Plow Steel" written on it with a paintball marker, so it may just be the 1065, but who knows, its free and will be fun to make a few blades out of.
 
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