[TheForge] hacksaw blades

[Lynn and Susan Lang]

Hello
I annealed a 12" hacksaw blade and then tried to enlarge the hole..  The
blade was brittle and crumbled like peanut brittle. 

I needed a short leaf spring to hold a slide bolt from vibrating open.
I am making duplicates for the "Ticonderoga" Lake Champlain Steamboat.

What steel might the hacksaws blade be made from?  I do have broken
clock springs, would this be a better choice?

Thank you
lynn