AEB-L..

J S Machine

J S Machine

Well-Known Member
I was looking at some different types of steels. I've seen a bunch of them listed that makers use. AEB-L caught my eye. Is this stuff any good for folder blades? I know it is used as one of two metals in some people's stainless damascus.

I also was interested in CPM S30V, and ATS-34. Trying to stay Away from carbon steels like 0-1 or D2 because of corrosion issues common with pocket knives.
 
Chuck Bybee sent me a piece of it to try out and report back to him. One of it's best characteristics is it's corrosion resistance, I made a kitchen knife out of it and all I do is rinse it off after use and hang it up. it has some very mild discoloration but not bad at all.

I am not too impressed with it edge holding ability, it's great for kitchen cutlery because you can easily hit it with a sharpening steel and it's ready to go again but it dull's fairly fast in comparison with S30v or the like. AEB-L works very easily and heat treat was simple.
 
AEB-L is more analogous to carbon steels rather than other stainless. If you like high hardness carbon steel, chances are you'll like high hardness AEB-L. I believe AEB-L has more problems with retained austenite though, so you'll want to do a proper heat treat with cryo. Edge characteristics like edge stability and wear resistance should be on par with, if not better than steels like 1095 or 52100. Steels that should have similar characteristics due to being on the carbon saturation line are used in some kitchen knives, but are reported to have problems. Its a bit of a stretch, but I think it may be due to heat treat, propery heat treated AEB-L has gotten very favorable reviews. Of course if you aren't into the advantages that carbon small carbide steels offer, and are more of a heavily alloyed large carbide wear resistant tool steel type of guy, steer clear.
 
I have used AEB-L pretty much. hardening temp is betven 1050-1080 C thats around 2000 F, i think. But to get over 50-55 i use 1080C last time i got from 62 to 64 with out cryo. When 1/8 thick hold it for 10-15 min and then quench. I get edges you can shave with.

Seved
 
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