Previous studies of the properties of electroslag weld metal have been done using electroslag remelted ingots made under welding conditions. This procedure assumes the electrical and thermal regimes of these processes to be equivalent. To test this assumption an experimental program was devised in which the remelted metal of an ingot and weld made with each of three slag systems was analysed and the mechanical properties examined. The results show that each process imparted different properties to the remelted metal by alloy and inclusion modification. Consequently the above assumption was proved invalid. Special consideration was given to the effect of inclusion composition and overall distribution toward mechanical properties.