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Gona try ELMAX

gull wing

gull wing

Joined
May 4, 2002
Messages
2,536
How do you like yours? Is a it good EDC? My first ELMAX.
I have a ZT0770 coming, so I need something to hang on to.
 
Elmax is pretty tough, corrosion resistant, and very similar to S30V. Some folks have suggested thwt it be hardened to about 61-62 Rc to bring out the best attributes. Not sure what most manufacturers are running it at these days.
 
As with all steels with the proper heat treat, Elmax performs great. I have some Kershaws and a ZT with Elmax and have no complaints, and I have a custom fixed blade that takes a good bit of abuse and holds its edge for a good long while.
 
Durable and keeps an edge very well with a strop to maintain. I like it more than S30v. Seems more uniform. Similar to Cpm 154 ive used. And sharpens like SG2 for me. And the sharpness I obtain is impressive due to this.
 
I have made several knives from ELMAX, but never had the chance to keep one. I just finished one for myself and am very anxious to put it to some use. I was pleased with the edge it took, and pleased with the "difficulty" in putting the initial edge on it. From that I do believe ELMAX will be a great performer.
 
I have no complaints with the Elmax blade in my ZT801 it performs about the same as my S30v/S35VN ZTs. One thing I really like about Elmax is how amazingly sharp it gets without a lot of work.
 
fsatsil said:
I have no complaints with the Elmax blade in my ZT801 it performs about the same as my S30v/S35VN ZTs. One thing I really like about Elmax is how amazingly sharp it gets without a lot of work.
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Totally agreed. I think I believe what they said, about how uniform the steel is through out. The carbides , molecule thingy's.
 
fsatsil said:
I have no complaints with the Elmax blade in my ZT801 it performs about the same as my S30v/S35VN ZTs. One thing I really like about Elmax is how amazingly sharp it gets without a lot of work.
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Not the most ringing endorsement considering Kershaw and ZT S30v often tests on the low end of things (57-58hrc)
 
I'm also planning on getting a ZT0770 when the CF version comes out.

So does this mean ZT has finally dialed in the HT with ELMAX? I was quite unimpressed with their ELMAX on my 560 about a year ago, as were many others.
 
I have a ZT 0566 in Elmax and it just seems to get better the more times that I touch it up. I slammed the edge into a 3/8 inch steel rod by accident one day. After cussing, I couldn't even see a flat spot until I got home that night. With good light I could see a slight roll of the edge. I touched it up on a Lansky turn box, and it was as good as new. Or better! The more I use Elmax the more I like it.
 
I have an MT Ultratech in Elmax, but it is a more or less useless knife as it is a dagger. I would like to try elmax, but I'd rather get it from a custom or low volume manufacturer than from a large company. It seems to be a steel that seems temperamental in production settings. If it acts like a tough S30V, it will probably do ok.
 
I have a 566 and It needs touching up weekly. I did get some diamond stones to hopefully resolve the issues.
 
kreole said:
Speaking of S30v still, if you go through actual hrc tests here, they're always 57-58, and before the site update, the KAI website had 57-59 as the listed range.
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Have you ever had a problem with Kai's S30V or S35VN in actual use or are you just judging the steel based on the rockwell numbers?
 
Thank you!:)
Just what I was hoping, gets a really sharp edge and not too difficult to touch up.
I don't need a knife that pushes the limits of edge holding, just one that gets really sharp and keeps it for a decent amount of time.
:thumbup:
 
I had my 0561 tested and it was 59.5rc, and its a good steel tho I'm not blown away by it.
 
Jastab said:
I had my 0561 tested and it was 59.5rc, and its a good steel tho I'm not blown away by it.
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That is a damn nice number for toughness. Im sure you will be happy.. 58-62 is what the steel can take. Ive hit metal a few times to zero negative effect. Im sure each batch is a bit different. Mine has been great. who can I have test it . Are there certain types of business with this machine I can look for locally?
 
coldsteelrocks said:
That is a damn nice number for toughness. Im sure you will be happy.. 58-62 is what the steel can take. Ive hit metal a few times to zero negative effect. Im sure each batch is a bit different. Mine has been great. who can I have test it . Are there certain types of business with this machine I can look for locally?
Click to expand...
I had mine tested at the heat treater when I dropped off my own blades. Any heat treat shop will have a rc tester, and if they don't well then they need not be in business...
 
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