This mod adds a new tier of tools and armor: Steel. A Steel ingot can be made by smelting an iron ingot, but be warned: steel can only be made into tools and armor. Smelting iron hardens it, meaning your steel tools and armor are more durable than iron, but the process also strips all other useful properties from iron. Steel cannot be used to make most things that iron can, such as minecarts, compasses, doors, and more. Also, beacons are not responsive to steel, so you cannot use steel in the construction of a beacon's pyramid. Finally, steel is much harder to shape, so you cannot smelt your old tools and armor down into nuggets. You'll do well to keep these things in mind as you use and make steel. Now, get out there and use your steel tools and armor with confidence, knowing they're much more durable than your old iron gear.

Images:

Steel tools and armor on display

Tool and armor color comparison. Note steel's slight blue tinge.

One of the biggest struggles with making this mod was the textures (read more on the wiki if you're interested). Let me know if you have any suggestions regarding them, I'm open to ideas.

Simple Steel by Advance