Flavio,
Russian archaeologists have very good Bronze Age research of the Steppe nomads; Early, Middle and Late with transitions into the Early Iron Age. Mostly analysis of kurgan grave goods, including bronze tools and weapons. Considerable material on the internet. Seem to recall there were fortified metalworking settlements in the Urals near ore deposits.
Also may check out periodical published by the Russian Academy of Science in English, "Science in Russia" around 2000. Also, Naslide in Stavropol has done a lot of Bronze Age excavations in South Russia.
I have a reproduction of a 700 BCE cast bronze axe head that had an two iron snake inlays along with incised fish as representations of ethnic cosmology. Blade edge had been hammered to "work hardened". Most (all??) bronze axes were cast in stone molds. Don't think bronze can be hardened with heat only alloy composition and mechanical working, but I could well be incorrect.
Hope this helps.
Ed
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