iron for pins

[Jaeger]

What's a good source for steel or iron that is soft enough for me to use to pin my hardwood scales to a blade? I'm thinking that in the 1700's they used iron that was soft enough for them to peen and rivet the handle on, and I don't know if iron like that can be found today. I'm thinking of using sections of nails, but I don't know what the hardness of that steel is. Let's hear your wisdom!

 

[lonehunter]

1/8" Mild steel rods can be purchased at your local hardware store. :v

 

[LaBonte]

#8 finishing nails - most rod or nails is work hardened so heating them up red hot and letting them air cool will help with the peening

 

[JohnN]

I was once told to use coat hanger material.

 

[Twice boom]

Plenty of material to make you pins from once you choose the size. Brazing rods make good ones if brass is more to your liking..

Twice.

 

[ohio ramrod]

Just get some common nails the diameter you want. Throw them into a red hot wood fire coals and let the fire burn out. Presto you have annealed steal the size you want. :hmm: