In general with steel, the stronger it is, the harder it is.

http://www.efunda.com/units/hardness...D=Approx.%20TS ■

For wear resistant material use:

http://www.ssab.com/en/Products-and-solutions/Hardox/

BR

Teus ■

Made it from wood & it wouldn't work: so we tried steel & it still won't work!

If you want to learn a lot about steel grades, malleability, hardness conditions etc you really need the Macready's Handbook. Anything less is 'pink knickers'. eg St 52 used to be the stuff of Desford Hollow Bar & you could do nearly everything with that after you'd machined it, with a grinding allowance of course.

Go for 52 if you have the money. ■