PSA: dropped $340 on a "high carbon" billet from a guy at the Springfield show, it was mild steel

Avery Wright · 2026-10-02T18:25:02.911423+00:00

Bought it from a vendor table at the Springfield knife show back in March, paid $340 cash for what he swore was 1084. First heat and a quench later, it wouldn't harden worth a dang, so I took a cut off to a buddy with a Rockwell tester and it came back at 18 HRC. That's mild steel, not blade stock, and the guy's number is disconnected now. Has anyone else gotten burned at that show, or am I the only one who didn't test before buying?

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PSA: dropped $340 on a "high carbon" billet from a guy at the Springfield show, it was mild steel | Blacksmiths - SMM Buzz