I did a quick test on my new knife, ZT0801

[JohnWesley]

After reading a bit about peoples angst on buying ZT Elmax blades, which I think the evidence is sketchy at best, I did my own little test on my new ZT 0801. I kind of think the old paper cutting test is a little too subjective, so instead, I did a careful examination of two blades, my Cryo, 8Cr13MoV, and the ZT 0801. The ZT is new, and so I kept the edge as is, sharp to a pretty good level, and the cryo was freshly sharpened to a 20 degree edge.
Under the microscope, both looked very good. I then proceeded to cut boxes for the recycle bin for 40 minutes, switching knives every 5 minutes to randomize the variables of tiredness, box differences, etc.
Examination of the edges under the microscope showed noticeable wear on the cryo, which, by the way translated to only marginally worse paper cutting results. The ZT 0801 was virtually unchanged in performance and under the microscope.
So, my conclusion is, elmax works for me.

 

[BTGuy]

I was a little hesitant with Elmax when looking into purchasing a ZT 562. Lots of bad reports regarding the early Elmax runs. Ultimately decided to try it out since I wanted to use the blade pretty heavily. Works very well. After cutting many hundreds of cardboard boxes and using for various other cutting tasks, I've only had to touch up the blade a little on a leather strop to bring it back to a decent sharpness. Still has a factory edge angle of roughly 25 degrees (at least looks like to my eye).

How are you liking the ZT 801 otherwise? It was a tossup for me between the 562 and the 801. Thinking of grabbing one of the bronze M390 versions if/when more come out.

 

[JuJu-]

Elmax conspiracy = Internet hoax

LOL

but seriously if anyone is that worried about burnt/ burning their Elmax you can just buy some sunscreen....

And if you believe all that I can sell you some lightly used muffler bearings....

Carrying my elmax blur today at work and haven't had to sharpen near as much as the 14c28n or s30v blurs. It's seriously good stuff.

 

[JohnWesley]

I love the 0801. The only real complaint I have ever heard about them is the weight and size. I am a big guy and the size seems just about right to me. I love the unassisted flipper, smooth, fast, reliable. I really like that here is no thumb stud. Why do you need one on a flipper? I find thumb studs always get int the way when sharpening. It is a bit of a beast, but a very cool one.

 

[Brusiedmeat]

Dispite what you have read on Elmax, do you really think taking a mediocre China steel and comparing to European Bohler-Uddeholm Elmax, which is a super steel was an effective test? I do appreciate when others find out through own testing, but not sure what you are after as you are comparing apples to watermelon here.

 

[JohnWesley]

No, as I stated, it just showed me that the Elmax knife is adequate for my needs, and not the miserable failure I have read in some posts. I just chose the Cryo because it is my abusing knife, pretty durable. I spoke to a metallurgist friend of mine about those edge retention charts. He thought they were amusing and believed no one in practical application could tell the difference between anything from VG10 up. Proper care of the knife goes further for edge retention to a degree. I think the major differences in the higher rated steels is subtle differences in the ease of sharpening, durability, and of course price. The big question in those charts is how did they do their testing. I read scientific data everyday, and I am always skeptical of any papers where the variables are not clearly defined, and controlled. Most edge retention evaluation in testing I have read about were sketchy at best. I think microscopy as an evaluation maybe the best tool.