A method for producing steel filaments having a heat treated microstructure is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a steel coil having a carbon content from about 0.30 to about 0.95, percent by weight, scoring the surface of the steel to form a plurality of grooves that delineate continuous longitudinal segments, heat treating the steel to develop an appropriate metallurgical structure, separating the segments into individual filaments by causing the steel to fracture at the grooves, and then passing the filaments through a mechanical straightener.