The paper contains the investigation results on the structure and phase composition of the laser radiation area (LRA) of the U8 and U10 steels over its entire thickness. In the present study, the laser surface hardening of both U8 (ASTM - W1-7) and U10 (ASTM - W1-9) steels in the air was performed by exploiting a quasi - CW fiber laser with a 130 W power and 3 mm/s processing speed. The phase composition of the oxide layer formed as a result of laser treatment (LT) in air, as well as the structure of the oxide-metal interface on the surface of U8 (ASTM–W1-7) and U10 (ASTM–W1-9) carbon tool steels were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It was established that the thickness of the completely oxidized surface layers for U8 and U10 steels is 38.7 nm and 99 nm, respectively. The composition of the oxides of the steel surface after LT was determined. The presence of a wüstite-based film on U8 steel evidences the low wear properties of the LRA surface, while the thicker oxide layer of the modified U10 steel which contains Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 oxides with better strength properties, on the contrary, provides U10 steel surface with higher wear resistance. It was found that the wear rate of U10 steel modified surface decreases by more than two times, while the given value for U8 steel reduces no more than 17%. The paper reports the metallographic examination of the LRA structure. It was shown that the wear-resistant structural components that appeared after laser treatment lead to an increase in the deformation properties of steels. The maximum microhardness value of the LRA is 710 HV0.1 for U8 steel and 750 HV0.1for U10 steel. •The surface of two carbon tool steels U8 (ASTM - W1-7) and U10 (ASTM - W1-9) was modified using laser radiation.•The elemental and phase composition of both steels in depth was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.•Tribological tests have shown that thin oxide layers on the surface of modified steels affect the frictional properties of steels.•Metallographic studies have established that laser treatment leads to an increase in the deformation properties of steels.