Carbon Steel

[pimpinon]

steel density

In what order do the grades of steel offer more feel? 1020, 1025, 1030, 1035??? Which is better???

[CRutherford]

I'm pretty sure that most all OEM's produce their carbon steel irons in 1025 carbon steel. But I believe its increasing number is increasing hardness. And I'm fairly sure that higher density would go with harder steel.

 

Ex. 1030 would be harder and denser that 1020.

[taylormadefan]

That's right 1020 and 1025 Carbon steel are called mild (low carbon) steel. The lower the number is, the less dense (less carbon) the steel has. They're most commonly used because they're easy to forge and have the soft feel golfers crave.

 

1030 or 1035 would be medium carbon steels and are harder and more dense than the mild steels.

[sandy]

In what order do the grades of steel offer more feel? 1020, 1025, 1030, 1035??? Which is better???

 

Theoretically but not always true. Manufacturers pick among those many times for cost, design of the product, and tradition. Mizuno pretty much sticks with one. But the irons design has a lot to do with the metal chosen. The old Cobra forged SSs are made from S-30 which is essentially the Japanese 1030. Because of the design these feel much softer than many cavity backs that are made from 1020. (Also 1020 will bend easier over time on mats). But the new design (although only slightly changed) feels much harsher in S-30. Just an example of how very little change (offset, weight pad, sole grind) can totally change the feel of a club. Even Cobra recognized this and immediately put Sensicore shafts in this version (to dull the harshness) when the originals felt butter soft with 1/4 inch short dynamic golds.

[apocalypsem3]

Is there considerable difference in loft changing between 1020 and 1025 carbon steel? Just wondering since mine are 1020.

[taylormadefan]

Is there considerable difference in loft changing between 1020 and 1025 carbon steel? Just wondering since mine are 1020.

 

That's all up to the golf club company, the loft is whatever they choose it to be.

 

In theory 1020 should be easier to change (say if you're hitting off mats or on a loft lie machine) than 1025, but the difference is very miniscule (.20% carbon vs. .25% carbon). In the end, it's all academic IMHO.

[apocalypsem3]

that's good. I was worried that my bridgestone's loft will change easier than let say... mizuno irons after a period of use.

[joey3108]

Just to add a few of what sandy said,

 

Durability is a nother big factor also in chosing material.

 

I found loft and lie change quite a bit on a too soft metal, especially hitting it of the mat.

 

Plus not every metal manufacturer had the same quality for the same 1025CS.

[apocalypsem3]

joey,

 

Can you comment on durability of irons in 1020CS and 1025CS? Their loft and lie changing, and other durability issues.

[joey3108]

joey,

 

Can you comment on durability of irons in 1020CS and 1025CS? Their loft and lie changing, and other durability issues.

Sandy is probably a more capable person to answer this questions.

 

I can only speak from a clubmakers point of view. I found that an iron that made out of 1020 has a tendency to moved the loft and lie more than the harder CS, especially if you are a steep swinger who hit down on the ball hard and practicing of a rubber mat enhance the whole thing.

 

Of course chrome quality job will play the next role in wear and tear. HOnestly speaking Nickel underlayment makes the chrome stronger compare to copper underlayment, however copper underlayment feel better when struck.

 

At the end, I should say that you don't need to worry w/ all this stuff to much. They are very insignificant. If i really have to talk from a-z about this issue, I might as well just write a book. To many factors to really can answer your questions properly.

[apocalypsem3]

Thanks alot. I guess I am being too picky with all this technical stuff. Honestly, I don't think 1020 or 1025 CS makes big difference in durability of irons.