Could use some advice from the experts

Both M390 and Elmax are excellent stainless steels that are easy to resharpen -- especially with modern equipment -- and take a great edge. They are high-tech, powder steels that work with both folders and fixed blades. Those are the two steels I'd pick.

But blade geometry is just as important.
 
Lots of quality brands -- and custom makers -- use those steels. I think you're best off looking for the blade geometry that works best for your purposes, and then look for the steel that supports that geometry and your uses. For example, the ZT 0560 uses Elmax, but has a heavy blade profile. A sprint Military uses the similar M390 steel, but in a full flat grind blade profile that is an incredible slicer. Both use great steels, but the blade profiles are much different and will lead to performance differences far greater than you'll likely see from using those different steels.

M390 and Elmax have a nice blend of toughness and wear resistance, while being relatively easy to resharpen. But blade geometry will usually trump steel.
 
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