So, I want to try out Elmax...

The worst threads on BF are ones on steel, where someone takes 2 different brands and knife shapes and compares steel.

the only way too compare steel is:

same blade shape and thickness
the same edge, grind and sharpness
same heat treat, for puprose, is it high edge holding or mix of toughness and edge holding or is it for sharpness.

put a japanese grind on $300 german knife or german grind on $300 japanese knife, chef/cooking, you find my chicago cuttery just as good.

i would except, a test that:

one has the same knife 0551 vs 0550
with a variety of tests not just rope cutting - who cuts only rope?
cut some meat
cut some cardboard
cut some aluminum cans

the measure the tip and loss of steel, you need measure the blade tip before and after and analyze photos.

unless, someone uses knife everyday and does a lot of the same tasks, as we can see form this thread - some say it is better then cpm some say not. I wish i knew?
 
I have knives in s30v and zt knives in Elmax, yes the 056x series and my edges hold much longer on the Elmax than any s30v I have used. My 0561 held an edge longer with a 30 degree inclusive edge than s30v with a 40 degree inclusive edge (sharpened on a wicked edge). Those who say Elmax won't hold an edge I just can't understand unless they poorly sharpen. Also none of my Elmax has began to rust at all and my work knife gets wet or damp from sweat in my pocket somewhat often.
 
I have a scrapmax340, a GSO4.1 and a custom in Elmax. The 340 is great at slicing and cleaning deer. I would not want for it to be my only knife in the field, but I couldnlive with it. The 340 held the original edge a long time and actually sharpened up on a strop, which for me is amazing as I can't sharpen anything worth a darn. The custom in Elmax is a regrind by big Chris and I am waiting to try it out. I think I am going to sell the GSO as the blade shape does not suit my needs.

I believe Elmax to be an above average stainless that is less difficult to sharpen and will hold an edge for my intended uses, primarily dressing game. This is based on personal experience. We will see just how long the edge will hold come this deer season.
 
CM, "I" wouldn't take it out unless is was specific purposes. This is completely my fault in lack of field use and experience. There are those here that could just about build a cabin with a Mora, I am not one of these talented folks.

I have no doubt it would perform admirably in outdoor light task, just due to my experiences, I prefer fatter blades. My standard outdoor small knife is .230 thick. 4.5" blade. I'm used to it and have been using it since 2006. I know what it can do and treat it as such, a thick field knife. This 460 (I think it's nomenclature was) in my hands is chore specific, food prep, skinning animal (it has gone through rabbit and squirrel and fish. I don't carry it while I'm out but utilize its razor edge once back home......besides, wife may skin me if I lose or break it!!!
 
Thanks Gravelface (and RWT). Unfortunately, I'm not one of those blessed individuals, either; I hope to pick up a few skills along the way. Your posts have made me a little wary of going for the Scrapyard ELMAX knives, since I'd be getting one of them mostly for just that. I don't see many other options in the same ballpark price-wise for a good Elmax fixed blade, so I'll likely go for it anyway. if it breaks, I'll have a wonderful picture thread detailing how you guys told me it wouldn't work!

I'm looking for a knife to take camping to do some cooking with, maybe clean fish or squirrels (and deer later on) if I can bag a few, and carve a bit to make some dead falls and fires. Nothing major really, though I think I'll buy a thinner Mora and see how it does for me. If a blade that thin will do me, I'm sure a thicker Elmax one will be fine.
 
dragonsprayer said:
with a variety of tests not just rope cutting - who cuts only rope?
Click to expand...


Manila Rope is one of the hardest things to cut well and the edge has to be right, so if the blade performs well at that then most other things will be a lot easier... It will fly though cardboard etc.....

That's why it's used as a test medium, and it's constant as well, very unlike most other test mediums like cardboard that can and will vary greatly.
 
Go for the mora. It is amazing how much you can do with one. I have one in every vehicle and a few in the kitchen. They are great slicers but I did not like one for cleaning deer. The Scandi grind seemed to not cut as well when removing backstrap. If someone made a Elmax mora in the same dimensions but a ff grind I would be all over it. If you find you like the size of the mora you could have a make here build one for you from Elmax. Both big Chris and James Terrio work with that steel and do nice work for reasonable rates.
 
I think I will get the Mora. If nothing else, I can see how I do with a thinner blade.

I really like the idea of getting a custom made Elmax Mora from one of the custom makers here. I've spoken with both Big Chris and James Terrio before about previous knives, but in the end it comes down to price on this one (as always). I could probably get the Scrapyard for around $100, and I just don't think a Custom Maker would be willing or able to deliver at that price point. If I like the Mora enough though, who knows?

That's not to say anything untoward about either maker, they both have phenomenal rates and I would recommend them very highly just from my email correspondence.
 
Save for it it will take either one a few months to build it out. Work out the mora and adjust fire for the custom over the next few months. I will post pics of mine this week
 
Thanks for the kind words, folks :)

Everyone should have at least one Mora, regardless. I mean why not, for the price of lunch at McD's you have a pretty handy little blade. When you move up to better knives, throw it in the glove compartment, tackle box, BoB, what-have-you. :thumbup:

cm_bushman said:
I could probably get the Scrapyard for around $100, and I just don't think a Custom Maker would be willing or able to deliver at that price point. If I like the Mora enough though, who knows?
Click to expand...

Here's an idea... get the Scrapyard to work with now. Talk to a custom maker and line something up... chances are it will take a couple/few months, giving you time to set aside $10-20 bucks or whatever from each paycheck in the meantime. When your custom is almost ready, re-sell the Scrapyard - they seem to go pretty quick on the secondary market - and you'll be covered to pay for the custom.
 
Thanks James, I decided to go with the Mora, I just can't decide between the beech handles or a Companion.

My goal has always been a Custom, so I think you're advice is great. I'll see if I can get a hold of a Scrapyard and then take that experience and put it towards something custom made.
 
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