High carbon steel is the material of choice for extractors. There are three types of carbon steel: low, medium, and high. The percentage of carbon found in steel dictates its properties. So high carbon steel essentially contains more than 0.5% carbon, allowing it to become tough enough to tolerate high shear and wear. High carbon steel is often used to make bolt extractor sockets. Screw extractors are also made of hardened steel that has undergone a special heat treatment to prevent it from bending and breaking. Choosing hardened steel set over a carbon one is ideal for handymen who need something more resilient during their everyday extraction projects. It is also worth mentioning that this kind of steel is resistant to corrosion and is capable of tolerating high impact pressure and shock.