Normal, i.e. mild steel does not have enough carbon to be heat treated, that is why case hardening powders are used as these are carbon based.
You can buy a carbon case hardening steel such as EN32 or a nickel chrome moly such as EN24. Both can be heat treated with the EN24 giving a uniform toughness throughout.
As Maurice said, Stainless steel is not very hard but it does have the advantage of work hardening.
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Adrian Barrell
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