Review Charlie Mike Elmax blade

M

maximus83

Joined
Nov 7, 2011
Messages
2,104
First CM fixed blade came in, liking it! This thing is a brutal little beast, it occupies the same niche as a Bradford G4 or a Busse Park Ranger, but I like the grip and ergos better. Not much chance to use yet, but here's a quick NIB review and pics.

Specs:
* Elmax @61 HRC, 0.153" at spine, chisel grind for LH user
* Black/green micarta and orange G10 liners
* OAL: 8.375"
* Cutting edge: 3.5"
* Handle length (rear edge to front edge finger groove): 4.25"
* Handle thickness: 0.74" near midpoint, 0.80" at the rear
* Weight: 7.05 oz

First wedge:
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Olive stick (dropped from 8"):
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y4mGHbD2lbCraMJ60TEfWSK-_ulJEYo0lDIhqfaNRiMaM6AjXhEhby6fWCckEtTwMKq9jd6IczU8CwdwuzHdU8YSQ-L-SNn4kVgNT4DTk3veayo-goyWc7eH8cAXmCYtOaWeIrFc31lwjJmR4CDOAlESGIrKMRSjTlyWUohRTBYKi9b-tGDoWcwjL0uknrkDeQcPmRcxMLHvWrkvglzWKYl5Q

y4mXqq2waY0c6fxqni9_ukDM4OHrqNJLmz10c9Vri8p0IawTYhp0Pi7Cy3BADQIaV_b6mW4mMoY6vZiCSqZOGaQ5pos-qvQ-PTgicFcFwO6MBrluolDRPnvNUPAi_uzBDRFplFF3PyfqRxaoVxxb1B4Tt6Zbfq4dt7z1E7jStntwNCApW-VhacBp2uLrnDFJI4c45HFgjvfysnb4QuUL6tnBA

y4mjAU_90krjVFXRn5ejSnW7XHQrMZGrlbY30JH7_duXAILRDKxsCyoCFGyhemcR1F_XuC6jRdOaavaGT_74WuWoSJU_KgG76uuOe2LGRDcik8zXHh1V1bSLRlbCyZy-ke_ijalTg4Vrdy1aHqKIBMLdOyc5ObFP5b9ErD3zx5FxJmK5QTOhMr8xn_hJTZtC70gCiJN2XcexnlzMtzPYqzdNA

y4mQhPqmeSrLBK67rE5IedPiQDitQjEqfKG_rPaFaOIM75XappbPtoCeWOFwdpd9OVr6tTdoQivqz0i1DK5o_QB04Voqj8XauQzZ_YJh3FQCMYec2FJ04rYcyOegnxO_seBOjoTOYmDmfQxYYjycXxGqTpE8F_xqkdpWsZ3vWmmCbxeZCmtY9PpE0GijAqqjYQJjk9MqsjBDdIekzn4FA2HpQ

y4mdFvUbKYV9KQ__pCTnq39h5uuF69063SJfkW_lcS2XnssUBVPhkf4mi3Bav_Rlu3Uty2km_tJV_imRswJQru-ivYX-Rjapvciq0wIr2XnZS3Hh4hZ9PdGqZYjXrM2tTnsrpLGIEPhCcK80txHLcEfMcBfDTRPV6OHzBP1aBV2jTd9JqVVHtgwOAp4c1sq00DAitbDvSqEwfDTg3UDoA1hfg

y4mlnh0IA19ZMoK3ZQuXOaMftcjsfKiEJPVW6XqY6cUO-GW9cBj_qvMGyDplWHAOX1cz4wRvbqnh7DQ50qFU6wKK78mTFA3mkdSJEQpk7pjqgUzFZ09fZNlib4zP_0bPNezbhJGGEJiYTE1cKevO4iZzz-4cRCv2mq9GtTv7-OOEZBL7pF45o-GFpAXrxu94P3bPSq2ZRe9M0QB5KG1Kh0A2A

y4mY81xE2AiVBShxMMoepH4Jl_rZCMDYR1553sFPr_2cWK7EEmYvSjrrFu7Xd3UE7YYp5PHtLrFGSiZwgjgUjdPSObnFyUFiN73VGbWFM4tb6CnumIdTzBoayGepLv0Xwvw-F1Ye1VG2cMP0c2huHllLlUNCSpeSSMkNRh5NqvNLKr7l_fv7-2wupkOdo6D_0spOiZ7mIMMU2zCPOqVahJMsg
 
b00n said:
Chisel grinds still annoy the crap out of me, but I am seriously considering contacting him about a design I made just because I like his work and his personality. :D:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

In all candor, this was my perspective too. But Matt was super helpful in customizing every other aspect of this blade, getting the steel, handle, exact specs, and profile I wanted. Everything about this design was perfect and I wasn't able to get it exactly like this anywhere else, so I decided to try something new and keep an open mind on the chisel grind. I haven't had it long enough to say I like/dislike the grind, but either way, this is an extremely sharp blade that is second to none in cutting performance. I ran the usual battery of sharpness tests, it does every bit as well as my Bradford G4 did, up to and including that it will clean slice Rizla green cigarette paper. Anybody that thinks chisel grinds can't be scary sharp, needs to try a CM blade.
 
maximus83 said:
In all candor, this was my perspective too. But Matt was super helpful in customizing every other aspect of this blade, getting the steel, handle, exact specs, and profile I wanted. Everything about this design was perfect and I wasn't able to get it exactly like this anywhere else, so I decided to try something new and keep an open mind on the chisel grind. I haven't had it long enough to say I like/dislike the grind, but either way, this is an extremely sharp blade that is second to none in cutting performance. I ran the usual battery of sharpness tests, it does every bit as well as my Bradford G4 did, up to and including that it will clean slice Rizla green cigarette paper. Anybody that thinks chisel grinds can't be scary sharp, needs to try a CM blade.
Click to expand...

Oh yeah, no doubt about performance and the reasoning behind it, CM explained it very well. It's purely aesthetics that is keeping me hesitant about it. I will keep an open mind though, maybe give it a try when next paycheck rolls in.
 
It is a neat design, and I like CM's work, but not sure about that apple slicing. With that chisel-grind... wondering how scary is the thickness behind the edge???
And now...give me a high hollow-grind on the bevel side, and it would serve the kitchen and the bush.
One thing about Charlie Mike...he ain't predictable! Innovative design... very nice work.
 
...the longer I look at CM's design, the more impressed I get! Elmax at 61 HRC...great! That thumb ramp begs for jimping...even if it tends to take away from the clean lines of this thing...
I really think that CM has taken a quantum leap ahead...right with the big boys...with this knife...had NO idea he was that good. I like it.
Forget the high hollow grind idea I had...not necessary with this knife.
 
Nice blade! Elmax has become one of my all time favorite steel. I didn't use until the last year and a half. Amazing steel!! Good work CM!!
 
Good looking little knife OP and CM really did a nice job on it, Congrats. I like those orange liners as well as the micarta he tends to use on his knives. That Cm carry system is pretty slick and quick isn't it. :thumbsup:
 
I'm curious about the sharpening choil-plunge line area. What was the idea behind it? Seems unusual.
Nice knife and pics.
 
I use a 1/4" drill to make the sharpening choil and then grind through approx half of it.
 
I've got 2 CMFTW knives that I carry all the time and elmax is my favorite stainless steel AND I've got a few new designs I've drawn up. Looks like he's gonna be getting some more of my hard-earned money here soon lol.

I hadn't remembered seeing a CMFTW in Elmax before, is it a new material for you Matt?
 
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