Don't know about Elmax

S

Sentinel09

Joined
Jun 11, 2013
Messages
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HI ALL. I bought a Casio watch and cut the cable with the name and screwed up the edge of my Zt. It has the Elmax steel. The front edge is still razor sharp but the back is dull with visible marks. Does anybody else have an experience with Elmax? Thanks
 
Use the hell out of my 0560, have gotten small chips and burs in it before, sharpens back to shaving sharp with diamond stones. No worries sharpen it and don't look back.
 
I'd be suprised if I didn't mess up a edge cutting steel cable. I don't really think this is a steel issue, I think this is a user issue.
 
I'd also expect some damage when cutting steel cable unless done very carefully. No steel will handle that without a very thick edge profile and quite a good heat treatment. There are reasons cold chisels aren't made from steels like Elmax too.
 
I chipped the edge on my 0561 but it was my fault in how I was cutting zip ties and I am confident it will sharpen out. Ive also managed to chip other steels so I dont think its an issue that only elmax has.
 
Sentinel09 said:
Thanks nemesis will do. No more cutting steel cables. Next time it's the wife's scissors.
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Steel cables, thin metal edges on knives. Don't do it. That is never going to end well.


If you have to cut metal, just expect to have to fix something. (that said, I have cut heavier aluminum, wire, etc with some of my knives. When I need to, I do it, and expect to have to fix the edge later).
 
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I used to think I was normal. I was taught to never cut metal with a knife. I usually won't even cut an aluminum can with a knife. Lately, I have seen people cutting wire, cable, cans (steel and aluminum) and then complaining when they screw the edge up. I guess I'm not as normal as I thought if that is the standard today.
 
wobly said:
I was taught to never cut metal with a knife. I usually won't even cut an aluminum can with a knife.
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Seems reasonable to me. We hear about so many soldiers cutting up MRE's and tin can tops, as well as digging in the sand and rocks for IED's that I guess folks just figure that's what knives were meant to do. I suppose some knives, some steels, can stand up to that, but not all blade-steels.
 
Sentinel09 said:
HI ALL. I bought a Casio watch and cut the cable with the name and screwed up the edge of my Zt. It has the Elmax steel. The front edge is still razor sharp but the back is dull with visible marks. Does anybody else have an experience with Elmax? Thanks
Click to expand...

I love how knives are hard use on this forum till they end up not holding up well and everone dog piles and says that you were stupid for using a knife to cut something.
Quite a few people have made claims that ZT Elmax is too brittle. Give us a picture of what you cut and what your knife looks like. I have a feeling that this cable you cut is really just a tiny soft strand of metal that should hold no issue for a decent knife.
 
My early serial number 0561 has been great. I have used it on metal plenty of times, mostly hydraulic line or high pressure line. These are composed of a rubber core surrounded by braided steel and wrapped in a heavy duty rubber or nylon(?) exterior. The woven steel layer is composed of thin steel wires that are very tough.

It does dull it a bit, and it does take quite a bit of pressure to get through them. I have used a lead mallet a couple times to get through the woven steel. If the knife isn't shaving sharp it takes a good bit of effort, but I have been able to make a good 8-10 total cuts before the edge needed steeling and a 0.5u loaded strop.

It does roll a hair and dull a bit, but it will still cut printer paper afterwards. I'm wondering if they softened the HT after the early models. We may never know, but ELMAX is a great steel when its HT'ed right (not saying ZT's isn't, I have no real experience with other ZT ELMAX).

I would say the ELMAX in my knife is very tough but has the wear resistance of S30V give or take. Once it hits around 62Hrc, I think it really shines. Uddeholm says that ELMAX has increased toughness over S30V at higher hardness and I would believe it.

Its not a magic steel, but I think its a solid edition to the lineup and has great corrosion resistance. Just like all the other great steels, it will improve overtime as the standard HT improves. Look how long it took S30V to get squared away, makers thought Superman's gentlemen's region would be easier to make into a usable knife.

I look forward to seeing this steel as an alternative to S30V(S35VN didn't really take over) in the future.
 
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