Abstract: In a first embodiment, a method for forming a hardened fastener having a hardened fastener head. Alloys made of cobalt, nickel, chromium, and molybdenum have very high hardnesses while maintaining ductility. Metals conforming to the chemistry of AMS 5844 and AMS 5842 are disclosed as the preferred materials. These hardnesses are also maintained at high temperatures. In order to form a head upon such materials, a fastener blank is first initially hardened by cold reduction twenty to thirty percent (20%-30%). A fastener head is then formed in the fastener blank by additional cold forging. The remaining shank portion of the fastener blank is cold worked in a third process with the entire three-part cold forging process cold reducing the material forty-eight to fifty percent (48%-50%). Additional hardness may be obtained by heating the material in a temperature range between ca. 1200.degree. F. and 1300.degree. F.