Mystery Metal - Iron?

[Raskolnikov]

I found a piece of metal while seining near the old historic proving grounds of Sandy Hook. Being an overeager newbie to knife making (still have yet to complete something that could actually be called a knife), my first thought was to take it home and see if I could make something out of it. I've cleaned it up with a quick trip through the forge to knock off the corrosion.

Anyway, to cut to the point, I'm wondering if what I have here is iron? It feels a bit lighter than the leaf spring that I have been practicing with, and there is a real pronounced...almost fibrous nature to it. Is there a simple test to determine if this is iron as opposed to steel?

Photo:

Thanks.

 

[B Finnigan]

The stranding in the second picture indicates it is likely old wrought iron. You can test it by partialy cutting near the tip and bending it and see if it breaks or just keeps bending. If it breaks like wood then you have some old iron with the silica impurities in it.

 

[Keith_H]

I think that B Finnigan "nailed it"
It looks like wrought iron, nice on guards and other fittings.

 

[Raskolnikov]

Thank you very much; I'll give that a try.

 

[Mace]

No need to test any further.... thats wrought iron. Makes nice fittings.:thumbup:
Mace

 

[Luke Sheridan]

It's junk, send it to me and I'll dispose of it for you.