In Austria, Böhler’s roots can be traced to the town of Kapfenberg, where iron production was documented as early as 1446. The modern history of the company, however, begins in 1870, when Emil and Albert Böhler established a steel trading firm in Vienna. Initially, they imported tool steels from Germany for distribution throughout the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Their business thrived, but the Böhler brothers soon realized that quality control and innovation required direct involvement in manufacturing. This insight led to their acquisition of the Kapfenberg steel plant in 1894, a pivotal moment that transformed Böhler from a trading operation into a steel producer.

With full control over production, Böhler began innovating rapidly. Around 1900, they introduced Böhler Rapid, one of the first high-speed steels to enter industrial use. This steel dramatically increased efficiency and durability in machine tooling and quickly became a global benchmark. By the mid-20th century, Böhler had invested heavily in metallurgical R&D, becoming one of the earliest adopters of Electro-Slag Remelting (ESR) technology in 1967. ESR allows for exceptionally pure, high-performance steels by eliminating non-metallic inclusions, and it's still used today in steels destined for surgical tools, aerospace, and high-end knives.

- Böhler was founded in 1870 by Emil and Albert Bohler (pictured above)

- Böhler began producing its own steel in 1894 after acquiring the Kapfenerg steel plant

- In 1967, Böhler adopted Electro-Slag Remelting (ESR) technology

Parallel to this Austrian innovation, Sweden’s Uddeholm was building its own legacy. Founded in 1668 in Värmland County, Uddeholm originally produced wrought iron using charcoal-based smelting. Over time, the company transitioned from basic ironworking to refined steel production. In 1870, it built a modern steel mill in Hagfors, integrating cutting-edge technology such as Bessemer converters and later electric arc furnaces. The region’s vast forests provided fuel, while the area’s rivers powered machinery, making Uddeholm an early example of environmentally integrated industry.

Uddeholm's commitment to modernization was evident in the early electrification of its private railway in 1920 and the company’s focus on value-added steel goods. In 1945, Uddeholm helped form ASSAB (Associated Swedish Steel AB), a distribution alliance aimed at expanding the global footprint of Swedish tool steel. This move cemented Uddeholm’s presence in Asian, African, and Latin American markets. By the 1980s, Uddeholm had become especially well-regarded for its cold work, hot work, and high-speed steels, which combine hardness with the toughness needed in toolmaking, die casting, and cutting applications.

- Uddeholm was founded in 1668 in Värmland County, Sweden

- In 1870, Uddeholm built a modern steel mill in Hagfors

- In 1945, Uddeholm helped form the Associated Swedish Steel AB (ASSAB)

Following the merger, Böhler-Uddeholm grew quickly. Its products became synonymous with durability, performance, and precision across various industries, including aerospace, automotive, die casting, surgical instruments, and cutlery. The company went public in 1995 on the Vienna Stock Exchange and became fully privatized in 2003. Then in 2007, it was acquired by voestalpine AG, one of Europe’s largest steel groups. As part of the voestalpine High Performance Metals Division, Böhler-Uddeholm was further integrated into a network of global innovation and supply. By 2011, the holding company was officially renamed voestalpine High Performance Metals GmbH, though the Böhler and Uddeholm names remain in use today due to their strong brand identities.

While Böhler-Uddeholm supplies steel for everything from airplane components to injection molds, it has also earned a special place in the world of knife making. Knife users, whether collectors or professionals, prize edge retention, corrosion resistance, and durability, traits that are hallmarks of Böhler-Uddeholm steels.

- Böhler and Uddeholm merged in 1991 to form Böhler-Uddeholm AG

- In 1995, Böhler-Uddeholm went public on the Vienna Stock Exchange

- Böhler Uddeholm was acquired by voestalpine AG in 2007