Choosing a steel for a blade is not an exercise in romanticism. It's a calculated, cold decision based on one simple question: will it perform as required?
For me, that question generally begins with toughness. A blade that cannot withstand real-world use is a liability. After a long, cautious, and practical selection process, the answer led to the first of a few new materials now being used for some of my blades: 14C28N Sandvik and AEB-L steel.
While we still love traditional carbon alloys and their merits, they demand a certain reverence and constant care to avoid the rust which is their inevitable destiny. The singular advantage of a good stainless steel is its indifference to such concerns. It provides a level of corrosion resistance that frees the user from the constant worry of maintenance. This fundamental practicality is why we have made the decision to begin using it.
In an industry obsessed with the latest "supersteel," Bladetricks has remained loyal to its principles of offering affordable and practical tools. These two steels, while distinct, are nearly identical in their shared purpose and impressive performance. They are not a flamboyant choice but a pragmatic one.
Two Steels for the Same Purpose
There's a common, and often expensive, misunderstanding that every blade requires a mythical, flawless alloy. The truth is, a truly great steel is a well-balanced one, and both 14C28N and AEB-L epitomize this. Their value lies in a toughness that is both deliberate and professional. They possess an excellent ability to take and hold a very fine edge, a crucial property for any tool meant for serious cutting, but they do so without becoming brittle.
Because of this practical parity, I'll likely be using them indifferently across some of my new models. A customer can be assured that a blade made from either material is a tool built on the same foundation of unwavering toughness.
The Slight Differences
While they perform to the same standard in practice, it's worth noting the minor differences between the two. In a purely technical sense, 14C28N ishould be slightly tougher. This makes it marginally more resilient against stress and hard impacts. It also should be more stainless, which can be an advantage for those who require a tool for use in wet or humid environments.
These aren't dramatic, life-altering differences, but subtle details that speak to the specific engineering behind each alloy. The choice wasn't about aesthetics or trends, but about function, a core tenet of the Bladetricks philosophy. What we prioritize is a sensible balance of toughness, edge retention, and corrosion resistance, along with availability, affordability, and ease of work for the maker. These steels simply work, and work well, and this dedication to performance is how I consistently try to offer a better product and experience to my customers.