any resolution on the ZT Elmax doubts?

I hacked on a bunch of cardboard with my 560 after watching the video. I made probably close to 100 cuts. It would push cut phone book paper prior to the test and not quiet as well afterwords. It was still very sharp and totally acceptable, just not extreme(how I, and many others prefer here). It still has the factory grind on it and has only been stropped. Not saying this is a scientific or meaningful test to draw conclusions from, just a little experiment. I'll prob do some more testing and perhaps a reprofile of the bevel when I have more time. What kind of angles are you gents using?
 
I actually really enjoy Elmax. I messed around with my Tispine and my 0801 in my yard a while ago when jdavis brought up the controversy. There was nothing scientific about it except that both knives were sharpened to 34 degrees inclusive with 40 degrees microbevel and the same mediums that were to be cut through. I was cutting rope (about 5-6' for each knife), whittling scraps of wood, chopping scraps of wood, cutting some wires, and shaving off sheets of aluminium that are used for sidings. Both knives just kept cutting. Neither could easily push cut phone book paper after the first few materials. I wasn't surprised and also I realized that my workshop was a little humid so the phonebook paper wasn't as crisp as it should be. Elmax handled everything that I threw at it. It would still whittle wood just fine afterwards. I could kind of push cut phonebook paper if I walked it right, but that was expected after the various mediums that I was going through. It shredded magazine papers easily. The only time the edge suffered any serious damage is when I was cutting into the sheets of aluminium. I think they were at least .1" thick. The edges were on the thin side, so I wasn't surprised when I saw that the edges dented/rolled/chipped after several cuts. If I had left the edge around 40+, I think the edges would have held up pretty well. IMO for normal uses, Elmax will be more than enough at least that's what my cutting circus told me. That's why I don't bite into controversies until I have seen results for myself. OP, Pick up a ZT with Elmax and enjoy it.
 
As has been mentioned previously, there is so much more to comparing the steels than just sharpening them on the same sharpening system. One of the biggest things that constantly gets overlooked, but has been mentioned in this thread, is the edge thickness.

This is definitely one of the biggest factors in the whole scenario. Yes, the angle its sharpened at makes a difference, and yes, the finish on the edge matters, but I have frequently taken mild steel (junk/scrap steel, not hardened at all) while in the shop, and made temporary cutting instruments out of it. By finishing it down to a thin edge and just sharpening it on a belt sander, I can put fairly obtuse angles on the edge, and it will easily shave hair and slice paper like nobody's business. It will actually do quite well for some time.

No, it's not magic, it's a very thin edge. Completely different thing than the sharpening angle. The thinner edge will almost always cut better, even when dull. Just think of how your kitchen knives will still cut when they get pretty dull. They are very thin at the edge. One of the big advantages of some of the "super steels" is that they have enough stability to allow the edge to be taken rather thin, and still be durable.
 
I think the real problem is that people who aren't happy with elmax tend to complain about it looking for a solution. Trouble is the people who love it and never have a problem don't post threads and videos about how great it is. So only the negatives keep getting circulated.
 
My 0561 has served me well, but the steel isn't my favorite, it's a bit too hard for me. Sharpening takes a good long while even on a Ken Onion work sharp. It has also suffered from microchipping despite a 40 degree edge angle, only seeing light use and never having been dropped or abused in any fashion. It does hold its edge for a very long time and gets wicked sharp though, and I have never had any problems with corrosion of any sort despite the fact that I don't keep it well oiled.
 
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