Elmax

SirGeod

SirGeod

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Sep 14, 2013
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Hey BF, I was curious about all of your experiences with Elmax, in my recent use I've found that it tends to chip quite a bit to where I can feel differences or "bumps" if you will in my blade. Is this typical of this steel?
 
I haven't noticed chipping. Just yesterday I was cutting through a nylon tie and slipped. The edge of my ZT slammed into a radiator support which was a round steel rod about 5/16 inch in diameter. It didn't chip the edge, but it did roll the edge slightly. I stropped it on cardboard and then sharpened with ceramic rods when I got home. That brought it back. I expected more damage then happened. So far I'm reasonable happy with Elmax.
 
Does your food prep ever include cutting on ceramic plates? I have had no problems with my 770's Elmax, but I rarely cut anything tougher than cardboard.
 
I had a lot of problems with my 0560s ELMAX. I've seen a number of similar experiences here. My mule on the other hand...perfect. Don't know what conclusions to draw from that, it's highly anecdotal.
 
If Elmax is chipping, 1st place to look is heat treat. Bets it's the final place to look also!

Randy
 
So far I'm really happy with Elmax. I have several Elmax knives but I have put an 801 and 566 through a lot work. I'm very pleased with it, I haven't had any issues
 
My zt 0561 has had horrible edge retention. I carried it for one week starting my new job (hvac) and use knives very often. By the end of week one, blade was super dull. Fastforward two weeks, and I'm carrying a benchmade 710 in d2, and get two weeks of usable edge out of it. I have sharpened my zt at least 5 times so I know I'm past the "trouble spot" That I've heard of. Elmax has not impressed me and I put it on par with vg10 or bg42 in MY USE.
 
Elmax is a notch up from S30V in my experience...no issues with my ZT0560/0566 (4xxx and 9xx S/N, respectively).

Lots of questionable negative feedback on ZT's Elmax...I know dozens of people, that collaboratively, own hundreds of samples...with no issues.
 
You have to realize on beefy knives like the 0560 line they are not made to be slicers. There is alot of different perceptions of "sharp". Also Cardboard is some of the roughest stuff you can cut.
 
I cut lots n lots of fiberglass insulation. That dulls a blade pretty quick as well. I hardly cut cardboard if any at all. I don't care if people want to praise elmax like its gold, IN MY USE it blows.... and I DO know what sharp is, cutting plastic wrap to cover ducts you will see what edge holds up better after hard use.. the 710 has out passed the 0561 in every aspect for my edc.
 
Jastab said:
I cut lots n lots of fiberglass insulation. That dulls a blade pretty quick as well. I hardly cut cardboard if any at all. I don't care if people want to praise elmax like its gold, IN MY USE it blows.... and I DO know what sharp is, cutting plastic wrap to cover ducts you will see what edge holds up better after hard use.. the 710 has out passed the 0561 in every aspect for my edc.
Click to expand...

Get a folding utility blade if you are going to be cutting fiberglass all day. Save yourself the headache.
 
I used my ZT0560 a week ago at work to cut through some RG59 coax cable. No chipping. What I will say is that if you sharpen away the factory edge, you may get an angle which is a little more obtuse and the chipping will go away. Cardboard can be some nasty stuff, but I doubt food would chip out the edge. Do you have any pictures of the damage?

Also, using any folder costing more than $6 to cut fiberglass insulation then complaining about the edge loss is a complete face palm. That is like realizing that your knife dulls out really fast when shaving concrete blocks for fit, or when you trim asphalt on the edge of a street. :rolleyes:
 
My 560 took 3 sharpenings before it took a fine edge and held it. It is now one of my go to knives. Never had a problem with ELMAX chipping though. And I cut a LOT of cardboard.

If the 801 Rexford I have coming behaves the same way I'll be happy. Even if I have to sharpen it a few times to get to "good" metal I'm okay with that.
 
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