14C28N vs AEB-L
14C28N resists corrosion better; AEB-L is tougher. Choose 14C28N for corrosion resistance, AEB-L for toughness.
Who wins each property
Side by side
| 14C28N | AEB-L | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Stainless steels | Stainless steels |
| Hardness | 57–60 HRC | 59–62 HRC |
| Edge retention | 3/10 | 3/10 |
| Toughness | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Corrosion resistance | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| Ease of sharpening | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Price tier | Budget | Mid-range |
| Maker | Alleima (Sandvik) | Uddeholm (voestalpine) |
Composition
| Element | 14C28N | AEB-L |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.62 | 0.67 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 14 | 13 |
| Nitrogen (N) | 0.11 | — |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.2 | 0.4 |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.025 | 0.025 |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.01 | 0.015 |
Property by property
Edge retention
Both rate 3/10 for edge retention.
Toughness
AEB-L is tougher: 9/10 against 8/10 for 14C28N, a 1-point gap. Typical hardness: 57–60 vs 59–62 HRC; harder blades trade toughness for edge holding.
Corrosion resistance
14C28N resists corrosion better: 8/10 against 6/10 for AEB-L, a 2-point gap. Chromium: 14% vs 13%, though what matters is the chromium left in solution, not the total.
Ease of sharpening
Both rate 9/10 for ease of sharpening.
Knives in each steel
14C28N
| Knife | Brand | Blade | Weight | Lock | List price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kershaw Leek 1660 | Kershaw | 3" | 3 oz | Frame lock | $124.99 | Blade HQ |
| Kershaw Blur 1670BLK | Kershaw | 3.4" | 3.9 oz | Liner lock | $159.99 | Blade HQ |
AEB-L
| Knife | Brand | Blade | Weight | Lock | List price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bradford Knives Guardian 3 AEB-L | Bradford Knives | 3.5" | — | — | — | Blade HQ |
| Bradford Knives Guardian 3.5 XL AEB-L | Bradford Knives | 4" | 4.7 oz | — | — | Blade HQ |
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FAQ
Which is better, 14C28N or AEB-L?
14C28N resists corrosion better; AEB-L is tougher. Choose 14C28N for corrosion resistance, AEB-L for toughness.
Which is harder, 14C28N or AEB-L?
14C28N is typically run at 57–60 HRC and AEB-L at 59–62 HRC.
Is 14C28N or AEB-L more rust resistant?
14C28N (8/10). Both are conventional stainless steels.