Help!?... Elmax or S35VN?

S

Spinerazor

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Mar 30, 2012
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Hi guys, i'm looking to buy either the Zero Tolerance 0550 or the 0551, aside from blade steel and scale design they are the exact same knife, so what i need to know is what is the better steel and why? thanks for the help!

This knife is going to be used for my new EDC, i currently have the ZT 0350TS with S30V, so i'm lookig to see how these steels compare as well...
 
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Better steel for what?

What are you really going to use the knife for?
 
Ankerson said:
Better steel for what?

What are you really going to use the knife for?
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Its going to be my new EDC, so its going to be used for everything, everyday, like boxes, food prep, carving, whittling, fishing, etc.. currently i really like S30V...
 
Spinerazor said:
Its going to be my new EDC, so its going to be used for everything, everyday, currently i really like S30V...
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If you like S30V then you should like ELMAX even more depending on how often you use your knife.

Edge retention is better, the steel is cleaner, and it's tougher.
 
i dont know either of the steels so thats why i'm asking the question, i dont know the traits of each to make the decision and i cant afford both!
 
Spinerazor said:
i dont know either of the steels so thats why i'm asking the question, i dont know the traits of each to make the decision and i cant afford both!
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ELMAX is what S30V and S35VN really should be.
 
Don't over think it. S35VN is very similar to S30V. Just add to cart, and click check out. let's go, let's go, let's go! :D
 
I really like Elmax quite a bit better than S35VN. Its a significant improvement from what I gathered in my usage of both. In fact, I think for its level of toughness it has proved to be almost as good as M390. Almost, but M390 has quite a bit more wear resistance it seems.

I'm getting off topic. Can you get a 0551? Do you like super steels? The geek in you wants Elmax, but ZT does a good job with their S35VN also.
 
Ankerson said:
If you like S30V then you should like ELMAX even more depending on how often you use your knife.

Edge retention is better, the steel is cleaner, and it's tougher.
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Sorry to go off topic slightly, but I really respect you, your test, and value your opinions. So, with what you just said and the mantra that knife guys have that there is no best steel, and it depends on your preferences and applications, how is ELMAX just simply not a better steel than S30V/S35V? I realize you did not mention corrosion resistance, and ease of sharpening so maybe S30V is easier to sharpen or more corrosion but if a steel has better edge retention AND is tougher and you are comparing two stainless steels, how can it not be a better steel no matter the application? If you had two identical knives with those two steels (as S35V is almost identical from what I am reading), why would you ever not go with ELMAX? Not trying to start a big discussion or argument, just want the opinion of someone who's opinion I have come to respect. Also, I am limiting this to folding knives, as I do not want to get guys commenting on how it matters in big choppers or something which is not related to the original question.
 
nccole said:
Sorry to go off topic slightly, but I really respect you, your test, and value your opinions. So, with what you just said and the mantra that knife guys have that there is no best steel, and it depends on your preferences and applications, how is ELMAX just simply not a better steel than S30V/S35V? I realize you did not mention corrosion resistance, and ease of sharpening so maybe S30V is easier to sharpen or more corrosion but if a steel has better edge retention AND is tougher and you are comparing two stainless steels, how can it not be a better steel no matter the application? If you had two identical knives with those two steels (as S35V is almost identical from what I am reading), why would you ever not go with ELMAX? Not trying to start a big discussion or argument, just want the opinion of someone who's opinion I have come to respect. Also, I am limiting this to folding knives, as I do not want to get guys commenting on how it matters in big choppers or something which is not related to the original question.
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ELMAX is the better steel than the other 2 in all aspects across the board really.
 
I've used both, and properly done (which they will be, coming from ZT) you'd be hard pressed to tell a difference unless you habitually cut hundreds of feet of cardboard all the time and like to obsessively compulsively measure it. S30V used to be just the king, and many of the goofballs around here proclaimed it the ultimate awesomest wonderfullest splendiferousness that had ever been delivered to the steel world. Before that it was ATS-34. Don't get wrapped up too much in the steels--it really is more akin to the woman's world of fashion that it is a marked difference in performance between Elmax and S35VN. Elmax is "hotter" right now, and it really is a good steel, but so is S35VN, even if it isn't as "in" and "sexy" at the moment. The people falling all over themselves about either one will consider them old news in a year or two and proclaim that you have to have Elmax replacement---El-ULTRA. I regard them in the same thought as I do teenage girls who would never consider wearing a perfectly good dress again because a new designer is "in" and the old one is "out". Airheads---cute and nice, but airheads.

I'd focus on which scale design you like better, personally. Will probably have a longer lasting, continuous effect on how much you like the knife. If you must have a steel vote however, hell go with Elmax. It's so "in" right now. :D
 
I've been quite pleased with the Elmax in my 0551. That would be my recommendation.
 
Can S35V be batoned through a strawberry without dinging or rolling? Check. That means its good enough for Prop.

Yes, I eat alot strawberries. :D

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On a more serious note....They'll both cut what you need them to cut. For your uses, one will go a little bit longer between sharpening sessions. Thats it.
 
Ankerson said:
ELMAX is the better steel than the other 2 in all aspects across the board really.
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From someone who likes to deal with absolutes in general, but realizing that the no steel is best and it depends... mantra is a good general statement and really true it is also nice to see that simple statement that this is better than that every once in a while.

So, with the price being the same I believe, get the ELMAX!
 
PropThePolecat said:
Can S35V be batoned through a strawberry without dinging or rolling? Check. That means its good enough for Prop.

Yes, I eat alot strawberries. :D

7227482322_e1a9811eb3_c.jpg


On a more serious note....They'll both cut what you need them to cut. For your uses, one will go a little bit longer between sharpening sessions. Thats it.
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Okay, I actual laughed out loud at that one. I too love strawberries, and like to use my blade to cut big fat juicy ones up.
 
nccole said:
From someone who likes to deal with absolutes in general, but realizing that the no steel is best and it depends... mantra is a good general statement and really true it is also nice to see that simple statement that this is better than that every once in a while.

So, with the price being the same I believe, get the ELMAX!
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In the end it comes down to real use and what the knives are going to be USED for because if one doesn't really use their knives then the steel just doesn't matter at all, the blade could be made out of pot metal and it wouldn't make any difference.
 
I have both steels in a variety of knives from different makers including a custom in elmax. I would vote for elmax, you won't be sorry. You won't be asking what if/if only anytime soon either.
 
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