ZT 0550 Update

Good choice on the replacement steel Thomas. It's a good performer and even tougher than S30V. It'll fit right in with the ZT line. Joe
 
Hmm, what will the hardness range be for S35VN in the knife? Speaking from a performance standpoint, I don't feel all that eager to go for it given that I own the Elmax version. Might just pass this up for the next project in Vanax.
 
Thomas W said:
Updates...hmmm...there two parties hot to trot, there is vision, there's a will and a way, there is an agreement, there is focus, there is a pattern, there is a CAD drawing, there are even details, there is a time, there is a place, and in the end...we're thinking there's a bad ass knife.

That's where we're at today. No further info available.
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now you are just teasing...
 
is the s35vn only for the first run followed by a switch to the elmax once it is available, or will the elmax be a different sku from the s35vn with both being in production ?
 
Sweet, thanks 4 the heads up and answering my questions. Can't wait to get my hands on one of the ZT 0550's... Im really excited to get one in DLC if it ever happens.
 
John E Woven said:
is the s35vn only for the first run followed by a switch to the elmax once it is available, or will the elmax be a different sku from the s35vn with both being in production ?
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John

0551 = ELMAX - Limited Edition
0550 = S35VN - Regular Production

Vanax35 = Another project other than a 05XX
 
John E Woven said:
is the s35vn only for the first run followed by a switch to the elmax once it is available, or will the elmax be a different sku from the s35vn with both being in production ?
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Neither. The 550 will be S35VN. Another project, a different knife, will use Vanax 35 when that steel becomes available:

Thomas W said:
Uddeholm informed us that there is another delay with the release of the Vanax 35, and couldn't give us a time table on when it would be available to us.

So, not to further delay the 0550, we've opted on turning to CPM-S35VN as an alternative. [ ... ]

As to the Vanax 35, we will continue to wait on it, but will look to use it on a different project once received.
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I don't think it's bad news at all Thomas. There's no flies on S35VN. I'm glad you guys decided to make the switch rather than hold up production. I just took delivery of a custom knife yesterday that I had done in that steel.

Like I've said before, you guys batted it out of the park with this knife. I've got a few ideas for a pimp job I'd like to have done but was reluctant because the 0551 was a sprint run. The funny thing is I like the looks of the production model better.
 
Thanks for the heads up Thomas. Glad to see you guys didn't just put the project on hold until the Vanax was available. Bring that knife to production and get it out into our hands!!!! Thanks again.
 
How do Elmax and S35VN compare?

i don't own any S35VN steel, but i thought this steel performed like a rock star.
does anyone have any opinions of the two steels?

from what i understand. Elmax was designed for making computer parts, S35VN was made for blades...given the history of the two steel, this leads me to believe that S35VN is better suited for knives.

do you think the 0550 will better knife than the 0551?
 
I would think more people are buying this knife for it's design/function and not the steel. As already said, nothing wrong with S35VN!:thumbup::)
 
Burdan said:
How do Elmax and S35VN compare?

i don't own any S35VN steel, but i thought this steel performed like a rock star.
does anyone have any opinions of the two steels?

from what i understand. Elmax was designed for making computer parts, S35VN was made for blades...given the history of the two steel, this leads me to believe that S35VN is better suited for knives.

do you think the 0550 will better knife than the 0551?
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That actually depends on the user to be honest.

In terms of edge retention, Elmax has proven to be a step up from S30V. As far as wear resistance is concerned, S35VN is shown to have the same level of wear resistance as S30V according to CATRA tests. The difference mainly being that S35VN is tougher than S30V.

I've heard that S35VN might be easier to heat treat to higher hardness, but even so I doubt it would give it edge retention beyond what Elmax provides.

Of course, less wear resistance would mean that S35VN is easier for the end user to sharpen, but I personally find myself willing to put up with steels like S90V for more edge retention.

All-in-all, the steels sound too similar in traits for me to consider shelling out another $200 for the 0550 when I already have the 0551. The Vanax 35 steel was the big selling point for me, as I was eager to play with a nitrogen steel and see how it behaves during real world use.

That is not to say the 0550 isn't worth buying, just that current owners of the 0551 might feel that it's more of the same.
 
Noctis3880 said:
...The Vanax 35 steel was the big selling point for me, as I was eager to play with a nitrogen steel and see how it behaves during real world use.

That is not to say the 0550 isn't worth buying, just that current owners of the 0551 might feel that it's more of the same.
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Glad I already have a 0551. :)
 
First off, thanks Thomas for the update and the info.

Honestly? I'm a little disappointed about not getting a chance to try out the Vanax 35 in such an excellent design (though I'm sure whatever project it ends up in will be just as well-made), but as a steel snob-wannabe on a smallish budget, getting my first chance to try out S35VN in such an excellent design is enough of an upside to offset the disappointment. Besides, I would much rather have the 0550 sometime (relatively) soon than have it in the Vanax steel.
 
Scott

It was the "you'll get it when it shows up" that got us quickly looking around for an alternative steel. :)
 
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