Elmax PM2 - Did I make the right choice?

LightGuy · Jan 23, 2016

I pretty much sold off my collection due to another hobby, but eventually missed having at least one good folder to use and carry. So I decided to pick up a nice (but not too nice) PM2 that is meant to be used. I found an S35VN version for $150. But then I found a new Elmax version for $30 more, and decided to go ahead and pony up the $30 to get what I felt would be a step up. Handle color doesn't matter to me since Boomer is making me a set of scales for it.

Do did I make the right call? I've been out of the hobby for a while, but I thought that Elmax has the slight edge. I just don't know what they take the Rockwell too on this or how it has performed for the Elmax PM2 owners so far. I could find very few real world reviews of it, or any specs on how they did the HT on the steel.

Thanks in advance!

-Rich

Iamthejellyfish · Jan 23, 2016

I have 5 PM2's; DLC s30v, elmax, s35vn, DLC cts-xhp, and s110v. The cutlery shoppe DLC cts-xhp was the sharpest out of the box. The Elmax has the best detent by far of all of them maybe about twice as strong as any other which makes me feel the safest with it in my pocket. The s35vn has grippier g10 than the Elmax but that doesn't matter for you. While Elmax seems highly debated I really like it and of all those PM2's I naturally seem to grab that one out of my knife case for my EDC.

Oh yeah, this is my first post too even though this forum has helped me make a lot of my knife decisions, so, Hi everybody!

LightGuy · Jan 23, 2016

Iamthejellyfish said:
I have 5 PM2's; DLC s30v, elmax, s35vn, DLC cts-xhp, and s110v. The cutlery shoppe DLC cts-xhp was the sharpest out of the box. The Elmax has the best detent by far of all of them maybe about twice as strong as any other which makes me feels the safest with it in my pocket. The s35vn has grippier g10 than the Elmax but that doesn't matter for you. While Elmax seems highly debated I really like it and of all those PM2's I naturally seem to grab that one out of my knife case for my EDC.

Oh yeah, this is my first post too even though this forum has helped me make a lot of my knife decisions, so, Hi everybody!

Thanks for the input - much appreciated. And welcome to the forums!

SpeedHoles · Jan 23, 2016

Good choice.
Not a common one, and there may be overall slightly "better" options out there now for less money, but don't let that take away anything from this knife. It should serve you well. I carry mine often, and my Elmax PM2 seems to out cut my ZT's in Elmax, but that probably has more to do with geometry.

And welcome to the forum, Iamthejellyfish! Nice first post.

Kreyzhorse · Jan 23, 2016

If you like it.... that is all that matters. Personally I think Elmax is a fine steel and a great choice.

I find it far too easy to get caught up in "best" steel debate. There are some great steels beyond a doubt... but real world, I think most users would be hard pressed to notice the difference between any of them.

Rest assured, you bought a great knife in a great steel. If you grow tired of it, it will have great value on the secondary market duty to the Elmax.

LightGuy · Jan 23, 2016

SpeedHoles said:
Good choice.
Not a common one, and there may be overall slightly "better" options out there now for less money, but don't let that take away anything from this knife...

Thanks for the input guys - I'm feeling better about this purchase already..

SpeedHoles - which sprint/limited release PM2 is cheaper and better than the Elmax edition? I must have missed it in my research.

Iamthejellyfish · Jan 23, 2016

Thanks for the welcome lightguy and speedholes!

SpeedHoles · Jan 23, 2016

Kreyzhorse said:
I find it far too easy to get caught up in "best" steel debate. There are some great steels beyond a doubt... but real world, I think most users would be hard pressed to notice the difference between any of them.

100% agree.
If you know some sharpening basics, it really is such a small difference in the end if you have the ability to touch up and sharpen your own knives for regular use.

LightGuy said:
Thanks for the input guys - I'm feeling better about this purchase already..

SpeedHoles - which sprint/limited release PM2 is cheaper and better than the Elmax edition? I must have missed it in my research.

Sorry if my post may have instigated a steel vs. steel = "best" type of outlook... because there is never a 1 true answer to that debate.

But, if edge retention and stainless is your thing, it is hard to go wrong with the new S110V production runs, and prices (brand new) are a good value, also being cheaper than your BBS exclusive PM2.
The S110V/dk. blue is regular production, but still they are having trouble keeping up with demand at the moment. At this point they won't be limited to small batch production, though.

Two upcoming exclusives in M4 will soon be available this year as well, and again, for lower cost new than the Elmax exclusive.

That said, just use and enjoy yours, it's a phenomenal knife. My specimen has slightly better f&f than some of the S30V models I have owned.

Spydergirl88 · Jan 23, 2016

Great choice! May I recommend this for your next knife?

LightGuy · Jan 23, 2016

SpeedHoles said:
100% agree.
If you know some sharpening basics, it really is such a small difference in the end if you have the ability to touch up and sharpen your own knives for regular use.

Sorry if my post may have instigated a steel vs. steel = "best" type of outlook... because there is never a 1 true answer to that debate.

But, if edge retention and stainless is your thing, it is hard to go wrong with the new S110V production runs, and prices (brand new) are a good value, also being cheaper than your BBS exclusive PM2.
The S110V/dk. blue is regular production, but still they are having trouble keeping up with demand at the moment. At this point they won't be limited to small batch production, though.

Two upcoming exclusives in M4 will soon be available this year as well, and again, for lower cost new than the Elmax exclusive.

That said, just use and enjoy yours, it's a phenomenal knife. My specimen has slightly better f&f than some of the S30V models I have owned.

Yep - I saw the S110V, but I'm not all about just pure blade hardness. From what I've read, Elmax is one of the few steels that can have very good edge retention at 60+ HRC while retaining really good toughness. I also like the high level of anti-corrosive properties.

I guess it's all what you're going for in a steel. I tend to like the strong all around steels, and Elmax seems like one of the best.

LightGuy · Jan 23, 2016

Spydergirl88 said:
Great choice! May I recommend this for your next knife?

Ha! How did you know?? I've been drooling over these Delicas since I got back on the forums the last couple of days. I love the orange too, but I'm just trying to find out a little more about that blade steel.. never heard of it.

Spydergirl88 · Jan 23, 2016

Don't wait too long they are becoming scarce

winnerone23 · Jan 23, 2016

Spydergirl88 said:
Great choice! May I recommend this for your next knife?

Lol.. I had to laugh at your pic.. Then add to it..

LightGuy said:
Ha! How did you know?? I've been drooling over these Delicas since I got back on the forums the last couple of days. I love the orange too, but I'm just trying to find out a little more about that blade steel.. never heard of it.

I really like the Elmax steel, myself. Tho not so much use out of my Spyderco, a good amount of my Microtech's are Elmax.
One of them is 10/99 and I've had it for a decade. It's actually one of my most used knife's, in my "collection" of edc's.

Sharpens easily enough, retains a edge, and seems to last thru a decent amount of use.

The Delica has alot of "love" behind it, from ALOT of members. It isn't my go to knife or favorite choice, but it's growing on me.
It carries nice and doesn't feel to bad in hand, but I would rather be holding a PM2, Manix, or Sage. (Just because of how they fit my hand)

Spydergirl88 · Jan 23, 2016

Nice g10 delica!

bdmicarta · Jan 23, 2016

I think Elmax is a good choice, on paper I think its characteristics match the PM2 the best. S35VN is also a good steel, not sure how much difference most of us would see between S35VN and Elmax.

wire edge · Jan 23, 2016

I sold mine and miss it. I like everything about them, but the price is plenty steep if buying right from the source. I like Elmax, I like Foliage Green G-10 and I like the Para 2 platform

I think you made a good choice.

Cursum Perficio · Jan 23, 2016

I have 5 x Para2, 1 each in S30V, S35VN, CTS XHP, S110V and Elmax.

The Elmax is a favorite to me, partly because the centering, smoothness, blade falls freely when lock disengaged, is the best out of the box of the 5.

Also, Elmax is not too hard to sharpen and maintain, seems to have better edge holding than S30V, and has great corrosion resistance.
And the OD green is nice too.

LightGuy · Jan 23, 2016

Thanks so much for all the replies! Good to hear others appreciate the Elmax version and are getting solid service from it. I was excited to see I could pick one up at a reasonable price, but it was hard finding many good comments about it. Now I'm all the more excited to get it. Once Boomer's scales get installed it'll be even more amazing...

winnerone23 · Jan 23, 2016

LightGuy said:
Thanks so much for all the replies! Good to hear others appreciate the Elmax version and are getting solid service from it. I was excited to see I could pick one up at a reasonable price, but it was hard finding many good comments about it. Now I'm all the more excited to get it. Once Boomer's scales get installed it'll be even more amazing...

Hey man, I see you sold out, for the RC hobby..
RC is my other hobby..

Wouldn't mind seeing what you where into, or still are. troywinner3455@gmail.com

SpeedHoles · Jan 23, 2016

LightGuy said:
Yep - I saw the S110V, but I'm not all about just pure blade hardness. From what I've read, Elmax is one of the few steels that can have very good edge retention at 60+ HRC while retaining really good toughness. I also like the high level of anti-corrosive properties.

I guess it's all what you're going for in a steel. I tend to like the strong all around steels, and Elmax seems like one of the best.

Sounds like you want Cruwear! Which they haven't put into a PM2 yet, but I've been asking for for awhile now!

If you get a chance, please email me really quick by clicking on my username. I see yours is disabled.

winnerone23, I used to race 2wd SC trucks on a league a few years ago in the winters... a lot of fun and I kind of miss it, but no time with work and most of my friends got out of it also...