MOXON, Joseph: Mechanick exercises, or, the doctrine of handy-works.

This was written, printed and published by Joseph Moxon between 1683 & 1685 and reprinted in 1703 (and countless times since). From memory, it was originally in 2 volumes, often combined in later printings. It went through several editions early on, 3e being most commonly reprinted. There are numerous modern editions now available, worth looking at for the numerous engraved diagrams. Facsimile copies are, however, somewhat difficult to read.
Breaking away from Guild restrictions, Moxon (1627-1691) wrote of what he knew from his experiences as a practitioner of skilled trades. A mathematician, writer, printer, publisher and maker of maps, globes and scientific instruments, Joseph Moxon was also the first tradesman to be awarded membership in the Royal Society.

Afaik, the first mention of steel in a book was by the author we know as Georgius Agricola. He published his book De Re Metallica in 1556. The title means “on metallurgy”. The work covers the mining industry and everything related to it and ranks as one of the great scientific works of the Renaissance. See it online here:
http://farlang.com/books/agricola-ho...e-re-metallica

Steel had been made and used from near a millennum earlier. It was made in [Iraq], and [east Africa], and later by the Romans. However, it was mostly made accidentally, and the process was inconsistent and poorly understood. Early steel occurred from work-hardening. By mediæval times, blacksmiths were making steel and hardening it by quenching, keeping the process a carefully guarded secret. Supply was limited, because steel was expensive of time, effort, and fuel. Though military customers would pay the cost, for most tools, just a steel edge was forge-welded to the wrought iron tool. Springs for locks, clocks, and guns, were all an expensive problem. Which is why many common locks used wrought iron [Scotch] springs.