A method for making a fastener having a head and a shank from wire or rod consisting essentially of AISI 200 or 300 series stainless steel comprising the following steps:(a) cooling the wire or rod to a temperature of less than about minus 75.degree. C.;(b) drawing the cold wire or rod through a die at a strain sufficient to provide a tensile strength for the wire or rod in the range of about 75 ksi to about 160 ksi, the strain and the die size being such that the area of the wire or rod will be reduced by at least about 3 percent; and(c) dividing the wire or rod into slugs and cold heading each slug to provide the fastener.