Are people still having trouble with the Elmax on the 0560?

H

hazy

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Mar 1, 2013
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I'm really tempted to get a 0560 but I have seen many people complain about the Elmax steel, apparently some of the knives have 'burnt edges' from sharpening and other problems I've seen mentioned. Did Kershaw/ZT ever acknowledge this as a problem and fix it or are people still having issues? I really like the 0560 but I don't want to spend that kind of money and get 'dud' for lack of a better term.

Also is ebay an okay place to buy ZTs? I see 0560s for $200 on there where as online shops usually sell them for more like $260, any chance the ones on ebay are not legit?
 
Ive heard of the "problem" with Elmax. As far as I can tell the problem is youtubers have no idea what they are talking about, that place is a pile of fake info and princesses who want to be black ops ninja masters.

Send KershawGuy an email, he has the best CS around and is an awesome dude.

Steelhead15@juno.com
 
hazy said:
Did Kershaw/ZT ever acknowledge this as a problem and fix it or are people still having issues?
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Really don't think there is anything to worry about. From our testing and QC, there are no issues with Elmax and ZT. We'll continue using it for quite a while.
 
I had that problem - similar to someone here who, some months ago or maybe more, posted that they chipped an edge with a zip tie. I kept the knife. It put me off carrying it but I'm pretty sure it can be resolved simply by using it and sharpening it. It's not Elmax either. I've had other pieces with Elmax without this situation. Other than that the 0560 has been fine.
 
The ones on eBay are generally fine. Kershawguy sells on eBay as well under the seller name "steelhead15" if you're dead set on buying from there. However as was said, send Kershawguy an email (steelhead15@Juno.com) for his prices on the 0560. He indeed does have the best service.

As far as Elmax is concerned, the burnt edges thing is a non-issue. I've not experienced it personally despite having owned four 0560s. Some may have other issues, but I don't see Elmax being a problem at all.
 
Thanks for the replies guys, I really want an 0560 so I think I'm just going to get one and hope for the best, worst case if I do have an issue I have faith Kershaw/ZT would make it right. Also I will contact Kershaw Guy I have seen his name mentioned many many times and always in a positive way. Thanks again :)
 
Someone in another thread mentioned the "burnt edge" thing. I replied to them that I recieved an 0561 with some bronze discoloration torward the tip of the blade, probably about half an inch worth on both sides. I figured that while grinding, it may have become a little to hot. However, I have done some HEAVY cutting, and light prying tasks with the blade, and it has not shown any signs of weakness or damage of any kind. I would consider it a non-issue.
 
Burnt edges are not just limited to Zero Tolerance, in fact alot of people think this is how S30V got the reputation for being a chippy steel when it first hit the market.

Even if you got one with a burnt edge it shoudn't be an issue after a few sharpenings. So all around now worries.
 
All my 560s have been great. Some have bad the sticky lock issue but that is easily solved with a sharpie. Some people complain that they are big. I don't think so. I love them. I love the size. Noted I did preorder the small 566. :). But that's so I can have the perfect carry combo ;). Small 566 in front pocket for cutting and what not. Big 560 in the back as a backup and as a back up tactical defense knife.
 
I have had nothing but great times with my 0560!! I carry it at my camp the most do to the size and it has handled e wry camp chore awesomely. I use a big chopper for fire prep but the 560 for everything else. No worries mate
 
I have had no problems with the Elmax steel on my 0560.I consider Elmax a step up from S30V.Break the knife in and re-profile the blade if desire and you are good to go....Happy flipping!!!!!
 
No trouble here either. I've had the 0551 since it came out, and the same with the 0560. It's definitely a super steel, it holds a working edge the same way S30V does, but better.
 
I daily carry my 561, with no issues. Factory edge wasnt very lasting and chipped a bit easy. However, after a reprofile, polish and strop, the knife is magnificent. S30 cant hold a candle to this, neither can s35v from teh 550. I will never regret this knife
 
I haven't had any trouble with Elmax, although I don't think it's the optimum edge-holder steel. There is a tradeoff between toughness and edge-holding capacity, and I've heard that Elmax is closer to the toughness end of the scale. I also have the Speedform II which has Elmax and I love the look and color. Have the 566 on order. Frankly my only real problem with the 560 is that it should have a steel insert for the locking face. I'm kind of turned off by Titanium.
 
Has anyone ever used a ZT Ti framelock so much that the lockup traveled all the way to %100 and the knife was therein rendered useless? I think all the is lock up travel/percentage is nonsense.

I've noticed Elmax wasn't on the same level as s30v or s35vn. Supposedly it can run circules around those when properly heat treaded. Whether ZT runs it softer than it should be, or burnt sharpening tweaks the HT on the edges, or it was just a dud, I don't know.
 
I purchased my 0560 about a year ago and it was perfection out of the box. I've carried and used it daily since then with zero issues.
 
When I received my 0560, it had burnt edges. (discoloration along the edge). The more surprising thing was how uneven the profile was. When using it or looking at it, you couldn't tell. Putting it on my Edge Pro showed how it was off. It wasn't bad, but it took me a few minutes to get the profile straight. After that, no more discoloration and a straight edge.
 
Recieved my 0560 from Kershawguy last week. Great price, service, and speedy shipping. Am loving this knife. Its now my EDC.
 
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