Elmax?

[Jhansenak47]

Something I’ve noticed on pretty much all knives but for some reason has really stood out on both Elmax and VG10 blades is that the steel at the edge gets somewhat undesirably heat treated. I’m not sure exactly what is going on but it seems like my examples have been over hardened at this thinnest point on the blade material (the edge). The symptoms are that the edge holding is not great and it is also more difficult to sharpen them seems reasonable. However, with usage and a couple of sharpening sessions, this undesirable material is sloughed off, exposing the intended hardened material. What I assume is that the edge is overly brittle and overly hard, negating the desired properties of edge holding and ease of sharpening. I have an Elmax Shiro coming in the mail today, so I’ll see if the saga continues... if I can “bear” to use it.

That hard edge is generally attributed to using power equipment to put the final edge on. The belts generate heat and work harden the thin stainless edge. Pretty common with any knife that is serial manufactured as time can be saved and volume increased by making more passes on the belt between use of a cooling media, i.e. dipping the blade in water.

 

[Bimmer1]

I noticed Giantmouse Knives used elmax in their newest folder .....the GM5.

 

[jill jackson]

I use the 247 in Elmax a lot and it's performance has been excellent.