knife guard from leaf spring steel

[deltablade]

I would like to make a guard for a knife project from carbon steel. I have an old leaf spring and wonder if this would be a good material to use? Would I need to do something to soften the steel before I work with it? would I then have to re-harden ? or would there be a better source of steel for my guard?
Many thanks

 

[Salem Straub]

You would need to soften it for sure, before working with it. But, why do you want to use spring steel for a guard? If all you want is a non-stainless steel, I'd go with mild steel like 1018 or even A36. 1018 is nicer stuff.
What you'd get from a hardware store is likely A36, 1018 can be bought at steel suppliers.

 

[stezann]

What Salem is telling that you don't need hardenable steel for a guard, and you can avoid the hassle to anneal the material and make your life easier