any resolution on the ZT Elmax doubts?

I just got a 0560BW and it's probably the sharpest knife out of the box I've ever gotten.
That being said, we'll see how it does on the EPA once it arrives in a few days.

I think the subject line of this post is kinda funny.
I mean, you're looking for a "resolution" to "all doubts" about ELMAX? On the INTERNET?? Ok, good luck with that.
I know most knives that use ELMAX steel are >$100, but still, the only thing I can say is, go get you a knife in ELMAX and see for yourself how you like it Vs your other knives in other steels.
 
Thanks to everyone for the feedback. It seems that in mass-production there will inevitably be a few duds.

But just for the heck of it, check out this crazy video by the same guy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P85e222SqAw

My freaking jaw dropped!!!! By all accounts 'on paper' N680 should be just some pissant steel, yet in the same test, and then with cardboard, it outperforms this guy's Elmax and S30V and does at least as well as his Spyderco CTS-XHP and M390 on the rope and after the cardboard!

Are the super-steels overrated? By that I mean is the quality of production, that is the integrity of the company/maker more important than the material? How can that video be explained?
 
I've got two knives in Elmax and they've both seen a decent amount of use with no need yet to sharpen either.

You've got some really good reviews right here from some of our own, and I recall KAI saying in a somewhat recent post that they've got their Elmax dialed in...which, to me, says they addressed that their was an issue and have since fixed it.

I'm happy with my blades, try one out I think you will be too
 
Without knowing edge angle, thickness and hardness all the videos all the "testing" and all the talk mean nothing. You just can't make a video of a single sample doing one test with ZERO! consistency between test samples and take that as the final word.

After the first foot of rope was cut he scrapped the edge down the board to push off a piece of rope, go drag a freshly sharpened edge on a wooden cutting board a few times and take a look at what happens. In testing that is called a variable.
 
People spend to much time believing everything they see or read on the internet. Get out and try it your self to get story :)
 
I have several knives in ELMAX, it's a great steel that offers a lot of versatility. Good corrosion resistance, toughness, edge holding, and it's easy on sharpening equipment. Buy a ZT and try it out for yourself.
 
I only own two knives with Elmax blades, a ZT 0561 and a 0550.

When I first got the 0561 I was a little frustrated because the edge seemed to roll rather easily under normal use, but after sharpening and polishing the edge bevel a few times, the problem disappeared and the knife has been great (the lock broke in nicely, too). I don't know if there was a wire edge, some kind of burr or something like that.

My 0550, which I purchased just a few months ago, was great right out of the box. Perfect edge, sharp and well ground. It has held up great so far.
 
A few videos or posts under less than scientific circumstances are not evidence as to issues with ZT's Elmax. I've had no issues on mine but most were bought new just the past year. No issues with LionSteel's Elmax either on the TiSpine or the LionSteel-made Blackwater Aculus.
 
I've got a 0560 and a 0566, and I wouldn't have a 0770cf on order if I was worried about Elmax.

Mine are fine, and I don't care what Youtube videos suggest. In MY real world, by using them, no worries at all.

We're fortunate to have so many choices!
 
I've got a 0560 and a 0566, and I wouldn't have a 0770cf on order if I was worried about Elmax.

Mine are fine, and I don't care what Youtube videos suggest. In MY real world, by using them, no worries at all.

We're fortunate to have so many choices!
 
I have a 566 and it holds its' edge very well. It also seems to love a strop...can restore shaving sharp with just a few passes with the black/green compounds.
 
I'd love to buy and try out everything. Heck, If I won the lottery I would immediately begin educating myself on knife creation and start doing it all by myself....

BUT I'm a college student, which is to say I'm broke.
 
I understand what you're saying. Even so, he did the same test with a handful of other super-steels, and they all dipped into that board.

Watch that insane video he does with Benchmade N680. It really is stunning.
 
evosbu1 said:
I understand what you're saying. Even so, he did the same test with a handful of other super-steels, and they all dipped into that board.

Watch that insane video he does with Benchmade N680. It really is stunning.
Click to expand...

I don't put too much stock in some knife test videos, I prefer to see for myself. As previously mentioned, there are a ton of unaccounted variables and what is presented as a "controlled" test is usually not the case.
 
If your goal is to buy a knife based off what you see in a YouTube video from a single user, go for it.
Or if you want to factor in all the feedback you've gotten here from people who actually own knives in ELMAX, feel free to do that as well.

You sure seem to be giving a lot of weight to that video, even though it's just one guy, Vs dozens of guys telling you here that ELMAX is fine.
Do you just find video more convincing than typed text, or what?
 
Rasco said:
If your goal is to buy a knife based off what you see in a YouTube video from a single user, go for it.
Or if you want to factor in all the feedback you've gotten here from people who actually own knives in ELMAX, feel free to do that as well.

You sure seem to be giving a lot of weight to that video, even though it's just one guy, Vs dozens of guys telling you here that ELMAX is fine.
Do you just find video more convincing than typed text, or what?
Click to expand...

In all fairness because I like to play devil's advocate, the video is just another man's opinion but with showing you the knife's usage on tape. Where fault should be found is claiming or thinking that a YouTube video is scientific fact performed in a vacuum and that it should be considered the gospel. For a comparison test to be valid I'd prefer to see 5-10 samples of Elmax from the same batch with the same heat treatment +/- 0.1 HRC with the same stock thickness, grind angle, and edge angle used to cut the same objects whether rope or whatever from the same batch. Some microscopic analysis of the edges after cutting would be nice along with a subjective representation of apparent sharpness demonstrated such as slicing phonebook paper. THEN perform the exact same analysis with the same controls and measurements with the comparison steel whether S30V or whatever, then take the top performer from each steel and compare results. Unfortunately sharpness is mostly subjective, and is tough to analyze with statistical data unless you want to attempt to quantify things at a microscopic level such as how many "teeth" per a given length were deformed considerably and max/min/mean angles of tooth deformation.
 
My 0801 has locked everything out of my pockets including customs. The only thing that could unseat it is the zt/emerson 0620 also in elmax.... I love this steel in a user
 
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