How to test iron hardness and find cheap magnetic alternatives for electromagnets

[Chronothread]

If I were to go to a random hardware store and look at some iron, how would I be able to tell how soft or hard the iron was? Also, is there any other cheap magnetic material that would work better then iron to make an electromagnet with? Thank you for your time.

 

[Danger]

I can't say as I've ever seen iron for sale at any hardware store that I've been in. The closest that you can get around here is mild steel. It's also just about the cheapest metal on the market and makes good magnets.