AEB-L steel
AEB-L is a conventional stainless steel from Uddeholm. It rates 3/10 for edge retention, 9/10 for toughness and 6/10 for corrosion resistance, and is usually hardened to 59–62 HRC.
At a glance
- Type
- Stainless steels
- Hardness
- 59–62 HRC
- Maker
- Uddeholm (voestalpine) (Sweden)
- Process
- ingot
- Price tier
- Mid-range
- Used by
- Custom makers, Lamson, Cut Brooklyn, Bradford, Warther, many US kitchen-knife makers
- Also called
- Uddeholm AEB-L, Bohler-Uddeholm AEB-L
Composition
| Element | Weight % |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.67 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 13 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.6 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.4 |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.025 |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.015 |
Source: manufacturer datasheet. Nominal values; where a range is published, the midpoint is shown. Phosphorus and sulfur, where listed, are maximums.
What makes AEB-L behave the way it does
AEB-L contains 0.67% carbon, enough to reach typical knife hardness; 13% chromium for corrosion resistance.
Finest carbide structure of any common stainless; toughest stainless. Favorite of custom kitchen makers.
Equivalent and similar steels
Knives in 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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How to sharpen AEB-L
AEB-L is easy to sharpen (9/10). Aluminium-oxide and water stones work well, and it takes a fine edge quickly; a ceramic rod or strop keeps it going between sharpenings.
Compare AEB-L with
FAQ
Is AEB-L a good knife steel?
AEB-L is strongest in toughness (9/10) and weakest in edge retention (3/10). Its average across the four ratings is 6.8/10, and it sits in the mid-range price tier.
Does AEB-L rust?
It can. AEB-L rates 6/10: stain-resistant rather than rust-proof, so it can spot if left wet or salty.
Is AEB-L hard to sharpen?
AEB-L is easy to sharpen (9/10). Aluminium-oxide and water stones work well, and it takes a fine edge quickly; a ceramic rod or strop keeps it going between sharpenings.
What hardness is AEB-L?
Knives in AEB-L are usually hardened to 59–62 HRC. Makers can run it outside that range; harder means better edge retention but lower toughness.