Same old question again...

What do you like better - M390 or ELMAX?

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kancler

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Gentlemen,

I read all possible reviews, tests etc and still cannot make a personal decision on very probably stupid question :-)

Which still is MORE PRACTICAL and holds the edge better:

ELMAX or M390?

What do you guys think (would be nice from your personal experience)???

My 5 cents: the price for these two types of steel is about the same and I have knives in both but personally I feel like M390 is slightly better (totally subjective and not measurable opinion)... But I got a few friends who think I'm wrong and ELMAX is much better...

So what do you think and what knife/maker do you have and use in M390 or ELMAX?

I have and use Wayfarer 247 and TRC K-1...

 
In my use Elmax is slightly easier to get that screaming sharp edge on. M390 can get there with a little more work, and hold it longer.
 
M390 probably beats Elmax in every way besides ease of sharpening and cost. Both are solid European made super steels that will serve you well. My vote goes to M390 due to superior edge retention and stain resistance. I had the ZT 0566 in Elmax and a Benchmade Valet in M390.
 
Considering M390 has been described as a souped up Elmax I think it is the superior steel. Not that Elmax is anything short of an amazing steel in its own right.

I find M390 quite easy to touch up by hand on my sharpmaker considering how resistant to abraision it is. Zknives.com suggests the reason for this is that it doesn't form a stubborn burr.
 
M390 beats ELMAX all day long and generally takes a better edge IMHO, there is a reason the ZT Emerson with M390 is my favorite knife over the ELMAX version the M390 gets stupid sharp and stays that way for a long time. It also helps that is is a very "clean" steel and is very pretty with a mirror polish
 
Not sure why but every category is won by a little bit by elmax . Ease of sharpening and edge holding especially . I have a Trc K1s in elmax and a lionsteel m4 in m390
 
Lapedog said:
snip... Not that Elmax is anything short of an amazing steel in its own right...
Click to expand...
I can't believe it took till reply 4 for someone to give Elmax some respect, thank you sir!

Jeesh you people act like it's the newest best super steel vs "surgical steel" on a Chinese blade. Let's give credit where credit is due, neither Elmax or M390 is the wrong choice in any possible way. This is an opinion thread period, there is no correct answer and debating, while sometimes fun, is moot on this subject.
 
I like both a lot, some of my favorite steels. I do like M390/20CV/204p more though. They are both amazing, well rounded steels.
 
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