How effective is Elmax for a 4 inch utility fixed blade

I don't think the fuller would be any issue ... and blades I have with fullers...the fullers are big enough to wash very easily.

In my personal experience M390 will hold its edge slightly better then Elmax but Elmax holds its edge very well ... and I have never had any issues in corrosion just wash well and dry and if you feel the need a food grade mineral oil light coating on the blade if storing for an extended period should keep it good.

Elmax has good toughness I don't think without serious abuse you'd have any issues.

I don't know the TRC K1 knives at all so I can't speak about the quailities they have. But have to say it's a good looking knife. And from what I've read the articles talk about the 3 pronged fasteners and needing that special tool for tightening them so I assumed that they could be changed ... but maybe the articles weren't correct on that. But they appear similar to a spanner bit only 3 prong instead of two.

If you are open to other suggestions ... the new Bradford 3D Micarta scaled Guardian 4 is offered in M390 and offered in a Full Flat Grind or Saber if you want a bit more blade behind the edge ... and they have quickly became my favorite fixed blade. Also I believe someone mention LionSteel ... they seem to be a good value and a well made knife in premimun steel.
 
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maximus83 said:
Hi, I'm interested in TRC knives, a relatively new-ish (to me, anyway) maker from Lithuania who's making some nice looking fixed blades you can get on sites like BladeHQ.

http://www.trcknives.com/

I'm specifically interested in his K1 knives as an all-purpose utility blade for camping, backpacking, and hunting.

Question for the forum: How effective is Elmax steel going to be in a utility/field blade like this?

Specific concerns:
  1. Corrosion resistance: is it going to be good enough for the wet Pacific Northwest climate? My understanding is Elmax is not quite as corrosion-resistant as say S35vn.
  2. How effective is Elmax at the other aspects of knife steel performance, like toughness and edge retention? I've read it can be brittle and prone to chipping, also hard to sharpen in the field.

My preference in a high-end stainless steel like this would be something like M390, which he uses in his K-1 Fuller knives, but unfortunately those knives include a fuller in the blade, something I'm not really interested in.
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1. Yes! I am on the wet side of the nw . I have several elmax knifes and elmax has not shown any rust.

2. I find elmax a very good performer. I often edc a zt 770 elmax. No problems for me. All my elmax blades hold a good edge. Yesterday I did re work the edge on the 770 with a regular water stone and strop when I did the kitchen knifes. Usually just strop once in while. Elmax just took a bit longer but nothing difficult. Holds a good an edge a long time so I have not had to field sharpen. I do have diamond field sharpener, just not needed so far.

No worries about elmax

Bill
 
JJ_Colt45 said:
I don't think the fuller would be any issue ... and blades I have with fullers...the fullers are big enough to wash very easily.

In my personal experience M390 will hold its edge slightly better then Elmax but Elmax holds its edge very well ... and I have never had any issues in corrosion just wash well and dry and if you feel the need a food grade mineral oil light coating on the blade if storing for an extended period should keep it good.

Elmax has good toughness I don't think without serious abuse you'd have any issues.

I don't know the TRC K1 knives at all so I can't speak about the quailities they have. But have to say it's a good looking knife. And from what I've read the articles talk about the 3 pronged fasteners and needing that special tool for tightening them so I assumed that they could be changed ... but maybe the articles weren't correct on that. But they appear similar to a spanner bit only 3 prong instead of two.

If you are open to other suggestions ... the new Bradford 3D Micarta scaled Guardian 4 is offered in M390 and offered in a Full Flat Grind or Saber if you want a bit more blade behind the edge ... and they have quickly became my favorite fixed blade. Also I believe someone mention LionSteel ... they seem to be a good value and a well made knife in premimun steel.
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So JJ, couple responses to that.
  1. On the Bradford. Yes I have eyed that one. In fact my three top options for a high-end stainless, fixed blade utility knife that is better than my Ritter pictured above: the Lionsteel M4, the Bradford Guardian 4, and the TRC K1. What do you think of the Bradford "full flat" grind option, versus the sabre grind, in these knives? I'm wondering if, given I need this utility blade to ALSO be a good slicer in addition to light camp duty tasks, going the extra $10 for the full flat option on on the G4 would be worth it. Also, have you experimented heavily with the grip on those G4 knives, using that choil in addition to the main grip? That choil in there gave me a little pause, wasn't sure what the grip would be like. Also, is it possible to remove the scales on the G4's for cleaning? Apparently you cannot remove the TRC K1 scales.
  2. On the TRC K1's. Yes they do look like an awesome design and ergos. Comparatively speaking, just from pictures (since I've never handled one), I like the shape of the K1 blade, and also the K1 handle, SLIGHTLY better than what I can see on the Bradford G4. However, the G4 3d version (which gives you a grip width of 0.9 inches, vs 0.6+ inches grip for the ordinary G4 and for the K1) looks like it would actually give you a BETTER grip and control than the K1 offers, due to it's much greater width of the scales. Finally, the TRC company is located in Lithuania, which is fine but if you have to return the knife for a significant defect or service issue, no idea how that is going to work. Those 3 things right there--the wider grip on the G4 3d, the potential service issue if returning a knife, and the fact you cannot remove the K1 scales according to the maker--are making me lean SLIGHTLY toward the Bradford.
 
The Bradford Guardian 4 with the 3D Micarta grips is very comfortable for me ... there can be a slight hotspot on the heel of your hand if not using the choil ... I simply sanded it down a bit and it isn't any issue now ... and I wear an extra large glove ... if using the choil (which I do alot) ... that would never come into play.

The Full Flat Grind is definately an amazing slicer probably the best that I have ... and for my uses its plenty strong ... the Sabre Grind I have would give you a slightly thicker stock behind the edge but is still a very good slicer. For my uses the FFG is my favorite and can handle anything I use it for ... if you plan to use it for more strenuous uses the Sabre Grind may benefit you ... but I use the FFG for most any camp chores ... I don't baton wood so I can't say for that but anything else I have used it for its handled well.

The choil actually gives you very good control for fine cutting uses and it is comfortable to me.

And yes with a spanner bit #6 you can remove the scales on the Guardian 4 for cleaning ... you will need two spanner bits one on each side to loosen them but they do come off for cleaning.

I haven't had the chance to put the LionSteel through the paces fully yet but it seems to be a quailty knife ... and if you have reservations about the Guardian 4 handles the LionSteel might be a bit more comfortable for some people ... especially if you don't want to use the choil.
 
Hey XtianAus, somebody asked above in the thread about the thickness of the tip, specifically on your K1 "fuller" model versus the standard K1's. From the pic you have below, it does look like the K1 Fuller edition has a thicker tip than the standard K1. Perhaps for "tactical" purposes? Either way, would you be willing to snap a couple of detailed pics of your tip so that we could see what it looks like? I've been googling around for a good pic of the tip on the K1 Fuller, can't find anything.

XtianAus said:
I agree with above, TRC K1 is an exceptional knife. Mine is in M390 however...
Sheath is top notch too. As good, if not better than Mashed Cat's custom sheaths and he is the best of the best in my opinion.

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It certain looks thicker than the standard model or it could be just the way it is shaped and grind?

This style of tip only comes in the limited models such as those with DLC or apocalyptic finish or the copper etc. I think probably like you said for "tactic00l" reasons but who knows. I'll post some pictures tomorrow.

Any particular angles you would like?
 
I guess maybe a couple pics looking down on it from top view, directly above and slightly off to one side for perspective. Thanks.
 
Sorry that the photos are not the best, but phone cameras really suck and it was hard to get it to focus.
Hope these give you a general understanding of the tip though.
Some shots are with a Ratmandu for size and shape comparison.

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A friend of mine has a custom ~5-inch Elmax fixed blade FFG knife, 4mm thick, and I've personally seen this knife get a TON of abuse (whittling, batoning, splitting) with only little edge damage, so I'd say Elmax is tough enough.
 
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