AEB-L/13c26 fixed blade?

[Shotgun]

What are some production fixed blades in this steel right now? I’m looking for a hiking/bushcrafty knife with a 3-5 inch blade. Budget, I dunno, I prefer on the cheaper side but I’m willing to go up to $200 for something perfect.

I know they pop up from time to time on the exchange but I’m curious if there’s any companies that have it in production. Thanks.

 

[jbmonkey]

dont know of anything that is in current production....only customs.....

im in on this thread as I like aeb-l and curious what folks find or know about at production level. sorry I'm no help though. ....

 

[dirc]

LT wright does a 4.75" trekker in aeb-l but it's priced near $300

this one is only a bit over $150 - 3" skipjack
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/NS...es-with-od-green-liners-leather-pocket-sheath

but honestly, If i was up that high I'd spend a bit more and get a custom from Horsewright if aeb-l is your goal ; )

take a step back, if you really look at the steel, aeb-l is very much 13c26 sandvik, which is ALSO very close to bdz1 http://zknives.com/knives/steels/Carpenter/cts-bdz1.shtml - which opens a WHOLE range of options (and honestly, 12c27 sandvik isn't really that far off either)

I don't know if I trust gerber ht these days, but this bdz1 blade is under $40
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/GB30001424/gerber-ghostrike-fixed-stonewashed-blade-gray-rubberized-gfn-handle-gfn-sheath
& it seems that gerber is made in portland, so I might really have to try it...

...
if you go to the 12c27 sandvik - literally everything opens up - ie most mora's, helle's, opinel's etc etc etc
it's used for a reason : )
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/FT...lade-od-green-tpe-handle-polypropylene-sheath
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/HE...nch-Blade-Birch-Handle-Genuine-Leather-Sheath

 

[fielder]

We definitely need more in Aeb-l, and in the other Sandvik steels.

 

[Cambertree]

The core steel in Helle's excellent laminated blades is basically AEB-L in composition.

I inquired with Helle about the composition of the inner core of its laminated blade. I think the outer two layers are 18/8 stainless steel but here is what Svein Helle emailed was the composition of the inner steel:
C: 0.67%, Si: 0.70, S: 0.002, P:0.019, MN:0.44, Ni: 0.28, Cr: 14.25, Mo:0.52

 

[Horsewright]

Thanks for the recommendations D dirc !

I make a lot of knives out of AEB-L. Here's one batch ready to have the blades ground, doing the finish, post heat treat grinding today on another batch about the same size:

I make leather working knives:

Kitchen knives:

And lots and lots of regular fixed blade belt knives out of this steel:

Hanging at the beach with my own personal EDC also out of AEB-L:

Consequently because of this volume, I get quite a bit of feedback from customers. All of it very positive. This stuff cuts, holds a great edge, gets stupid sharp, is easy to resharpen and is tough. Most of my knives are used in the cowboy world and get used hard in tough, dirty conditions year round in all weathers:

They just work:

I can tell ya, whatever you decide, the heat treat on this steel is critical. You are looking for 62/63 RC as far as hardness and cryo. There are some knives floating around in the 58/59RC region and this steel tends to be meh there. At 63RC it shines.

 

[Shotgun]

Thanks guys.

Horsewright, that’s what I’m seeing with the few knives I’ve seen. They’re all sub 60 in hardness. I’m really not interested in this steel at that hardness. Like you said, meh.