Stainless Steel
Intermediate
Mid-range

13C26

Heat Treatment Specifications

Austenitizing

Temperature1060°C(1940°F)
Soak Time8 minutes

Tempering

Temperature200°C(392°F)
Time120 minutes
Cycles2x

Quench Medium

plate

Target Hardness

60 - 61 HRC

Performance Characteristics

Toughness7.5/10
Edge Retention4/10
Corrosion Resistance6.5/10
Ease of Sharpening8/10
Overall Score26/40

Interesting Facts

  • 1Sandvik (now Alleima) razor blade steel from 1960s
  • 2Identical to Uddeholm AEB-L composition
  • 3Developed for combination of hardness, sharpness, corrosion resistance
  • 4Highest achievable hardness of Sandvik knife steels (55-62 HRC)
  • 5Base for development of 14C28N

Famous Uses

Razor blades
Surgical instruments
High-precision cutting tools

Best For

Kitchen knives
Razor blades
Professional cutlery

Similar Steels

Not Recommended For

  • Rough work
  • Thick blades
  • Batoning

Expert Tips

  • 1Very clean alloy
  • 2Low impurities
  • 3Matches AEB-L closely
  • 4Ingot manufacturing

Track Your 13C26 Heat Treats

Start logging your heat treatment cycles with 13C26. Track what works, compare results, and repeat your best blades.

© 2026 BladesmithHub. All rights reserved.