Steel

Steel is often used in hand tools. Care is needed to prevent rusting.

Steel is a metal comprised of iron with carbon in any amount up to about 1.7 percent to increase strength and durability. It is heavily used in cookware, build materials, and tools. Carbon steel, the most common type of steel, indicates no other components were used in the alloy in a meaningful way. Steel is very susceptible to rust and is usually painted or covered to reduce contact with water.

Other metals can be included in the steel alloy to change its properties, including its susceptibility to rust. These types of steel are usually referred to by a more specific name, such as stainless steel, galvanized steel, and chromoly steel.