How much would you pay for an "upgraded" steel on a knife?

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mmike1357

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Mar 15, 2012
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I'm looking at a zt 770cf and you can get elmax or m390 for blade steel. What is everyone's opinion? Is the m390 worth $40 more over elmax? Then what would you pay to take your favorite knife and get a better steel?
 
I would easily pay $50 for a better steel if that's an option. M390 is a VERY good steel. Easy to sharpen and it holds an edge for a very long time.
 
In this case, it's been disclosed by KAI that ELMAX is less expensive to purchase, is more readily available, and easier to machine than M390. That is why there is a cost difference.
 
Not really my question, do you think its worth the extra $40 for m390 over elmax? Does m390 perform better? $40 better? I'm looking at getting a 770CF which would you get?
 
Worth is a relative term. Is it worth it to you? I can't answer that, but explained the "why" in the cost difference from what I recall being posted. I like M390 better than Elmax.
 
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Personally? I would save my money and go with Elmax. M390 is a great steel, but so is Elmax and either one is more than enough for my needs. Combine that with the fact that carbon fiber on knives leaves me unmoved and I'll stick with the less expensive option.
 
Personally, I don't think so. I have been very happy with the Elmax ZT's.

Edit: That is just in this case. I find it is worth it to upgrade from VG-10 to ZDP-189 in the Spydercos.
 
The first time you get out in the woods and are using, REALLY using your knife for some work, you'd be delighted to pay an extra hundred for an upgraded steel. Particularly, if you don't have a DMT credit-card sharpener in your billfold...
This data is from Jim Ankerson. Testing cutting 5/8" manila rope. You can see that M390 is "way up there" in his rankings.

Category 1

CPM-S90V (Military and Para 2) (60)
CTS-20CP (Para 2) (60)
M390 (Mule) (60.5)
CTS - 204P (Para 2)

Category 2

M390 (60)
CPM M4 (62.5)
CPM-S90V (59) (Manix 2 with 30 Degree Micro Bevel)
CPM-S60V
VANAX 75 (Kershaw Tilt)

Category 3

Vanax 35 (59.5)


Category 4

ZDP-189 (65)
CPM-154 (62)
ELMAX (60)
CTS-XHP (Military) (60+)
Super Blue (61.5)
CPM 3V (Big Chris)


Category 5

S30V (60)
VG-1
CPM - D2 (62)
N690
ATS-34 (59)
CPM-S35VN (59)
N680
ELMAX (58.5) Mule
D2 - Dozier K2
 
Done properly, Elmax is a good steel, and is viewed as an upgraded steel itself.

I paid over twice as much for a new Cruwear Manix 2 as I paid for a used 154 Manix 2. I paid about 50% more for a 204 Para2 over an S30V Para2.
 
Well ... for my most recent new knife purchase, I thought it was worth it to 'upgrade' from a Benchmade Mini Griptilian in 154CM to the Mini RSK Mk1 in M390. That's about a 45% increase. For a ZT770cf, that's 'only' about a 22% increase.

Would I be able to tell a difference in real world usage - probably not. But it certainly wouldn't hurt. ;)
 
$40 won't exactly keep my kids from eating that month so I would consider it. My only two knives with better than average steel are Benchmades Contego in M4 and Griptillian in 154cm and they both share the honor of being my only locking folders and least used knives.

That being said I generally have found I do not need "super steels". I use my knives as cutting instruments only and have no problem touching the blade up on an Arkansas stone and/or leather strop when needed.

Most of my knives are Victorinox, Leatherman, or Moras and I get along just fine with them. They have thin blades that cut well and touch up very quickly when needed.
 
I don't really understand the constant pursuit of super steels, at least for folding knives. I guess I just don't know what people are actually doing with their folders that requires that kind of strength. In the 15 or so years I've been interested in knives, I've been just as happy with ATS-34, ATS-55 and 154CM as with the steel du jour. I suspect that, for the vast majority of us, it's want more than need.
 
Knave said:
I don't really understand the constant pursuit of super steels, at least for folding knives. I guess I just don't know what people are actually doing with their folders that requires that kind of strength. In the 15 or so years I've been interested in knives, I've been just as happy with ATS-34, ATS-55 and 154CM as with the steel du jour. I suspect that, for the vast majority of us, it's want more than need.
Click to expand...

Choosing ones favorite steel is a personal thing.
All commecial steels will do the trick.......cut things.
But, what works best for "you"?
What is the easiest for "you" to sharpen to lazer sharpness?
What steel seems to hold its razors edge the longest for "you" and your usage?
Which one do "you" like?
Yes, I would pay extra money for a knife in M390 over one in Elmax.
But, truth be told; if all I ever used was Elmax.....I would never know there was a difference between the two.
There is nothing wrong with Elmax.
However, if you wave the same knife in front of me and it was made out of M2 steel.....WOW....watch out! :eek:
Then I'd be shelling out some doe.
I love M2.
As, I said steel is a personal thing.
 
You are correct, sir. And I'm not criticizing those who seek out the super steels. They're just largely wasted on me. :-)
 
Upgrade from something like 154cm or VG-10 to a super steel is worth up to $50 or 60, but super steel to superer steel is not that dramatic. Elmax holds an edge well, and is tougher than M390 (useful because some people thrash their folders). Sure M390 holds an edge longer but it isn't really easier to sharpen and the difference isn't that huge. Most users, nuts included, won't be able to tell much if any difference. For the life of me I can't tell much difference between AUS-8 and 154cm in edge retention because I treat my knives gently and have literally never let them get dull. To me all steels are the same, and that is good enough.
 
collim1 said:
$40 won't exactly keep my kids from eating that month so I would consider it.
That being said I generally have found I do not need "super steels". I use my knives as cutting instruments only and have no problem touching the blade up on an Arkansas stone and/or leather strop when needed.

Most of my knives are Victorinox, Leatherman, or Moras and I get along just fine with them. They have thin blades that cut well and touch up very quickly when needed.
Click to expand...

I think yours is a pretty good criteria. I use more expensive pens that, when you get down to it, does not function any better than a cheap ball point pen that I can get for free. But I like using expensive pens and their purchase has not significantly affected my family's ability to eat or be financially unstable, so I buy them. Actually, the last expensive pen I bought was about 10 years ago and I still have it.
 
If you can swing it, get the m390. It may not be that much of a difference to some and you may not be able to see a difference in performance, but it will make a difference for someone else down the road if you decide to sell the knife. Some folks look for a specific combo in a knife.
 
I think it's silly. It's marketing over perceived performance.
 
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