'piano wire'
Actually thats not the proper term for common small diameter steel rod
my bad
".....music wire as a generic item is made throughout the steel industry, but that the manufacture of top-quality wire specifically intended for pianos is the province of just a few specialist firms (see Manufacturers of piano wire, below)."
"Piano wire is a difficult material to work with, owing to its stiffness and toughness. Special cutters are needed, since ordinary wire cutters are quickly ruined by piano wire. .......... Piano wire can also be unwieldy, and lead to eye damage and lacerations if proper safety equipment (such as goggles and gloves) is not used."
So -real- piano/music wire is very hard / shatterable
such that cutting it is hazardous without proper precautions
but also,
just what you're needing
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_wire
"Piano wire is manufactured in many different diameters. Sizes can range from .022 inches (0.5 mm) to .192 inches (4.8 mm). "
..........................................
what i was thinking of before....
in construction supplies
look for
weldable-steel rods for greater diameter than 'piano wire'
1/16" /...... / 1/4" / 5/16" / & greater
I do know it will bend fairly easily (in my hands with effort) at 1/8"
so softish
but stiff
bending ? ......
try various lengths
i'd guess 6" of 1/8" would bend on a hard throw / bad hit
4-5" likely not so much
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