Your thoughts on Elmax steel?

skyhorse

skyhorse

Joined
Jan 30, 2010
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I pulled the trigger on a ZT 561 and was wondering how the Elmax steel compares to s30v?After hearing differing opinions on this subject,what do you guys think?I know when it comes to blade steel everything is a trade off but in what function does this steel excel.Thanks for the input from those that have used it awhile.
 
I believe S30v can be made sharper but ELMAX has better edge retention and strength.
 
Elmax seems to get pretty sharp as I've experienced it in the 0560. Some stropping gets it to shave hair easily, and it holds it pretty long. The toughness of the steel has it, from my short time with it, able to bring the edge back on a strop easily and still be very sharp without having to take it to a stone right away.
 
For some reason i can never soom to get elmax sharp by freehanding it. If i use a guided syste m it gets razor freakin sharp and takes an amazing polish. I think it gets sharper than s30v and s35v but it does seem to take quite a bit longer. Even with diamond stones. I love it but i do edc s35v currently. Mostly because of the knife though, not the steel.
 
Thanks for your thoughts and keep them coming.We're pretty lucky to live in a time with so many options in regards to designs and blade steels.:):thumbup:
 
I think I got some not so good Elmax on my 0560 because I did a rope cut test comparing it to S30V and the edge retention on mine was terrible. Like I say might have just not been a great batch but I am not a fan of it. I did several different cut tests on Manilla rope and preformed the worse. I was terribly disappointed in how it turned out. I wound up selling my 0560 because of that. Just my 2cents on it though. ;)
 
ELMAX is tough! it will roll instead of chip (unless you hit something really really hard with it) its super easy to sharpen easier than my 52100 carbon knives, gets sharp fast and holds a edge longer than S30V, imo its the perfect steel but thats just how my 560 has performed.
 
smokeeater908 said:
I think I got some not so good Elmax on my 0560 because I did a rope cut test comparing it to S30V and the edge retention on mine was terrible. Like I say might have just not been a great batch but I am not a fan of it. I did several different cut tests on Manilla rope and preformed the worse. I was terribly disappointed in how it turned out. I wound up selling my 0560 because of that. Just my 2cents on it though. ;)
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I did see your review and all thoughts appreciated.I wonder if the heat treat for ZT elmax is in house or outsourced.
 
LOL yeah smokeaters review wasnt a glowing success for the 0560. Hope he just got a problem child or something mine seems to be holding up ok but I dont really use it much I carry the 0550 more
 
With an appropriate heat treat ELMAX is better than S30V in every aspect. Its much tougher, more stain resistant, easier to sharpen, and holds and edge longer. Its my favorite all around steel for folders and fixed blades at the moment. What I really love about it is how stain resistant it is along with its ability to resist damage. Its a really low maintanence steel that IMO really shines in harder use scenerios where edge damage can/ will occur. S30V will tend to chip where ELMAX will tend to roll and can be easily repaired on a ceramic stick.
 
I decided to have a custom hunting fix blade made in Elmax based on a little research. I chose it over S90V and M4 as it is comparable in toughness and edge retention, but is easier to sharpen from everything I have read.
 
I'm currently having two nearly identical hunter/ outdoor utility blades made. One in ELMAX at full hardness for rough and tumble use in the field and for use on long hunting and camping trips. Then having another made in 10V at full hardness for cleaning and processing game at home + shorter trips where I don't have to worry about sharpening in the field or corrosion. :)
 
RWT said:
I decided to have a custom hunting fix blade made in Elmax based on a little research. I chose it over S90V and M4 as it is comparable in toughness and edge retention, but is easier to sharpen from everything I have read.
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It's nowhere near the edge retention of either of those in my experience and from any report I've seen.
 
To my understanding at full hardness (62) ELMAX will beat S90V at a lower hardness, like 59 or 60 and will beat M4 at a hardness around 63. S90V at full hardness will spank ELMAX in edge retention and M4 should beat it as well but not by as big of a margin. But even with a full hardness heat treat on all 3 ELMAX will have the most corrosion resistance, be the easiest to sharpen, and will be much tougher than S90V but not as tough as M4.
 
Ease of sharpening is why I chose it. Everything is a compromise with a blade and IMO ELMAX offers the most ROI for the 3 factors I look for
1. edge retention
2. ease of sharpening
3. toughness

I have a Busse CABS that I love that max's out # 2 & 3, but falls short or edge retention. After 1 deer or hog I have to go back to the sharpener. This could easily be me as I am not skilled at putting on an edge, thus looking for a steel that makes up for my lack of skill until I get better at it. Basically, buying my way into convenience due to lack of time.

Everything I have read about S90V or M4 are they are more difficult to sharpen, thus why they have better edge retention.

I am still considering an S90V blade as Phil Wilson does great work with them. However, he knows what he is doing with regards to sharpening. Me I can still screw up a blade on the worksharp.
 
I just gott a 561 and from my experiences Elmax is good stuff :thumbup: it can get wicked sharp pretty easy, it seems to be very tough and the damage that does occur is on a microscopic level which means it can be stropped back good as new easily. The edge holding seems to be pretty good a little better than s30v but I haven't had the knife long enough to make a proper evaluation but so far so good with me. And if your thinking of the 561 get it you won't regret it:thumbup:
 
I think the biggest problem with doing cut tests with the 560 is the thickness of the blade. You always end up with a wider angle on the 560 as opposed to something like the Para 2 with its thin blade. I don't think of the 560 as a great slicer, if you want a great slicer go for something like the Benchmade 746 with its super thin blade. The 560 was meant for hard use and is built to withstand lots of use/abuse. You are going to give up some slicing ability in order to get those attributes. No knife can do everything well, that is why they make all kinds of different ones for you to buy! And really, who doesn't want a "reason" to buy more knives?
 
Hobo with a Rolex said:
I think the biggest problem with doing cut tests with the 560 is the thickness of the blade. You always end up with a wider angle on the 560 as opposed to something like the Para 2 with its thin blade. I don't think of the 560 as a great slicer, if you want a great slicer go for something like the Benchmade 746 with its super thin blade. The 560 was meant for hard use and is built to withstand lots of use/abuse. You are going to give up some slicing ability in order to get those attributes. No knife can do everything well, that is why they make all kinds of different ones for you to buy! And really, who doesn't want a "reason" to buy more knives?
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Very true blade profile,grind and thickness will also be a factor in the performance for a particular task.Some good thoughts guys,keep them coming.:thumbup:
 
I found these specs and wonder if they would be consistent with the ZT560 blade steel.There seems to be two different heat treats.
UDDEHOLM ELMAX
2100 ⁰F, 15-20 minute soak, Deep Freeze, 2 tempers at 390-480 ⁰F, 60-62 HRC
1985-2010 ⁰F, 30 minute soak, Deep Freeze, 2 tempers at 390-480 ⁰F, 57-60 HRC
 
It would be interesting to see what Kershaw runs theirs at but I'd bet its in the 57-60 range, more towards the 60 range but I could be wrong thanks for that info:thumbup:
 
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