Abstract This paper addresses adiabatic shear localization from a different point of view. New results are reviewed which indicate$backslash$nthat the process can be viewed as triggered by dynamic recrystallization instead of being the result of thermal softening$backslash$nas universally assumed. A simple dislocation dynamics model (modified ETMB) is used to reproduce the salient features of the$backslash$nphysical observations, namely dynamic recrystallization in the strain-hardening phase with a minor temperature rise. The main$backslash$nparameters of the model are discussed from an experimental identification point of view.