This is an old issue that keeps popping back up. I used to have the metalurgical makeup of the RR spike. But I do remember they have a minimum carbon content of .30%. Depending on the batch they probably vary from .30 to .40% carbon. I forged one that I would swear was .45%. Anyway, RR spikes were minimum .20% carbon until about 1970, then they switched to the higher standard. Which they labeled HC for "higher carbon" content. RR spikes are not high carbon steel, they are at best a medium carbon steel. Also, if you see an extra "C" on the head that means a little copper was added to the alloy to increase electrical conductivity. I use the ones that have HC only on the head. I know guys that have quenched spike knifes in superquench to get maximum hardness. No tempering. Superquench is a fast soapy brine quench that will shatter steel that is more than 50 points of carbon. For the formula do a search for Rob Gunter+superquench.
Rob Wichita, KS
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