AEB-L

[Teesac81]

So recently a bunch of you guys were praising AEB-L for a big chopper I was looking for. While I did not get my kukri in AEB-L, your praises have influenced me.

I’m looking for a full flat knife with sort of a bushcraft spear/drop point leaf shaped blade sorta thing of no more than 4” and a handle of at least 4” in. micarta. It’ll be with me pretty much everywhere I go.

To the point, who does AEB-L well for a knife such as this? Could be a production knife, fully handmade, whatever. I’m looking to have some options.

 

[MattWRog]

Sounds like a call for David Mary

One of our own active makers here. Uses that steel a lot I believe.

 

[Retired UPS Driver]

Start with David Mary and Crag the Brewer

 

[SharpBits]

^ what they said.

 

[Teesac81]

I’m hoping to push the limits slightly on hardness for a little extra edge retention over toughness.

 

[JWright214]

I’m hoping to push the limits slightly on hardness for a little extra edge retention over toughness.

Definitely get one made custom or a small production maker. The bigger production companies attention to detail, such as heat treatment, just don’t compare in my opinion. I’m new to the small makers but it has convinced me this is the route to go.

 

[jbmonkey]

yep one of the custom makers here can make ya want ya want......

 

[oldmanwilly]

Start with David Mary and Crag the Brewer

I second the motion.

 

[luethge]

Nitro v and 14C28N knives are plentiful ( extremely similar to AEB-L ).

Wenger
Krein
RMJ

All use a lot of nitro V.

David Mary & Crag the Brewer would be perfect though

 

[Bobthebrewer]

I have a David Mary Wharncliffe blade in AEB-L about 4” long and have flogged it fairly hard, it seems to enjoy the abuse and keeps on ticking. Great knife, heat treat seems spot on and it looks good, 2 thumbs up. Have a knife on order from Crag theBrewer but haven’t received it yet however both of those gentlemen have been great to work with. I believe either one could do a great job on that type of knife.

 

[JWright214]

Nitro v and 14C28N knives are plentiful ( extremely similar to AEB-L ).

Wenger
Krein
RMJ

All use a lot of nitro V.

David Mary & Crag the Brewer would be perfect though

This. I have had 4 knives in Nitro V, from three different makers, and it’s definitely good stuff.

 

[19-3ben]

So recently a bunch of you guys were praising AEB-L for a big chopper I was looking for. While I did not get my kukri in AEB-L, your praises have influenced me.

I’m looking for a full flat knife with sort of a bushcraft spear/drop point leaf shaped blade sorta thing of no more than 4” and a handle of at least 4” in. micarta. It’ll be with me pretty much everywhere I go.

To the point, who does AEB-L well for a knife such as this? Could be a production knife, fully handmade, whatever. I’m looking to have some options.

bikerector owns Good Knife Co, which collabs with David Mary and they have some awesome bushcraft oriented knives in AEB-L.

 

[Culprit99]

I think you'll love AEB-L. Wild Willie here on the forum mailed/loaned me a David Mary knife so I could try the steel. I really liked the steel and the knife, and ended up buying this one made by Jackal Ridge. It's definitely made me an AEB-L fan.

 

[navman]

Yep...I too would recommend David Mary and/or Crag the Brewer , sounds right up their ally.

 

[David Mary]

Good morning everyone, and thanks to those of you who have suggested me for this project. And it means a lot coming from you navman , as a fellow craftsman whose work I very much admire.

bikerector owns Good Knife Co, which collabs with David Mary and they have some awesome bushcraft oriented knives in AEB-L.

I think this is a brilliant idea. If you reach out to Chad, aka bikerector he may still have a knife or two available. His designs are about as bushcraft oriented as you can get, and very unique and well thought out. If he doesn't have something that piques your interest, then I would be happy to make you what you're after, though it may be a few months before I could have it ready.

 

[ferider]

Love AEB-L. You haven't said anything about budget ? CPK has made Kephart and Dek1 in AEB-L, if you find one, you're in for a treat.

Even my puppy likes AEB-L

Come to think of it, the Kephart might be a good choice for you. The CPK above is a little longer than you want, but we have many custom makers here that can make shorter ones. Like this one by Paul / CPE_Knives :

Knives in our cabin kitchen, from 3 different BF custom makers, 2 in AEB-L, and 2 in NitroV (very similar):

 

[Crag the Brewer]

Love AEB-L. You haven't said anything about budget ? CPK has made Kephart and Dek1 in AEB-L, if you find one, you're in for a treat.

Even my puppy likes AEB-L

Come to think of it, the Kephart might be a good choice for you. The CPK above is a little longer than you want, but we have many custom makers here that can make shorter ones. Like this one by Paul / CPE_Knives :

Knives in our cabin kitchen, from 3 different BF custom makers, 2 in AEB-L, and 2 in NitroV (very similar):

You picked Those oranges?
ahhhh, I'd love to have a citrus tree
Your red handled Carother's is one of my favorite looking ones I've seen too. I think it's g10? is that wear/patina/use on the scales or just lighting?

I also agree about the Kephart being just about the most perfect knife.
I also agree about suggesting David Mary for the build, I recommend him often/Always.




And I wish to thank ALL of you fine folks for Your support! Seeing you give shout out to makers such as David, navman , and Myself, AND ALL THE OTHER UNSUNG HEROS/MAKERS....... means the World to us.... It's people like You that make this place as special as it truly is!!!

Thanks.

 

[Lorien]

my experience with AEB-L has been nothing but positive. Excellent material particularly for a woodcraft type knife- fined grained with small carbides so it can provide a smooth edge that is quite tough.

 

[Horsewright]

I've made probably as many knives out of AEB-L as anyone. It's a great steel heat treated well. I don't make what you are looking for though. I've been following the work of our Amigos above for quite a while. You won't go wrong with any of them!

 

[ferider]

You picked Those oranges?
ahhhh, I'd love to have a citrus tree
Your red handled Carother's is one of my favorite looking ones I've seen too. I think it's g10? is that wear/patina/use on the scales or just lighting?

Thank you ! Yep. These oranges are ours Jo calls this G10 "ghost red". It's fancy, has some transparency to it, and a blue shimmer, love it ! Unfortunately discontinued by CPK.