ZT Discontinuing Elmax!?

I will miss elmax but think ZT does S35 better than anyone out there so I do not see this as a loss at all.
 
Either works fine. Sounds like splitting hairs to me. Materials have a stark point of diminishing returns compared to cutting geometry, blade profile, and ergonomics. Elmax is a great steel but that didn't make the 0560 series any better at cutting things than a VW Bus.

As long as it's a decent particle metallurgy steel, I'm keen on it. It's worth noting that the price point seems to have moved to match the materials and that comes on the heels of ZT seeming to notably ramp up their fit and finish. The 0452CF I picked up from New Graham was -flawless-, which is a huge contrast to the 0561 I picked up a few years ago that wouldn't even fully flip open without a little wrist. An 0560 costs around $200 where a 909 can be readily found in the $160 range, which puts it in the same price range as the S35VN PM2 sprint and the Crooked River.

I think ZT has the best balance of things right now, TBH. The blade steels are almost immaterial changes for most of us anyway if we're being honest about how much performance we need out of a knife.
 
Well I'm glad I picked up the 566 before the switch, only because I can say I have a discontinued product. I like both elmax and S35VN
 
All ZT regular production models that are Elmax will switch to S35VN according to the ZT 2016 CATALOG: 0801, 0801BW, 0770CF, 0566, 0566BW, 0566CF, 0620, 0562.
 
RamZar said:
All ZT regular production models that are Elmax will switch to S35VN according to the ZT 2016 CATALOG: 0801, 0801BW, 0770CF, 0566, 0566BW, 0566CF, 0620, 0562.
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Good info right here :thumbup:

I kinda actually like the idea of a S35VN 0801. I already saw it as my "Sebenza Alternative" and now it's even closer...
 
I like both steels as well. Both when done well are great. It is nice to have a variety of steels as a knife nut though. Luckily I have or have had all the knives ZT made with Elmax that I was interested in. All but the 0560 is gone. And it does cut better than VW bus and flips perfectly :thumbup:

If you have to have Elmax I am sure you will still be able to find it. Busse recently did this slicing machine:

5aZSezah.jpg
 
Hmmmmmm. I mailed my 0566 along with $30 today to ZT to get a new blade. I wonder if It will come back with Elmax or S35vn? It doesn't matter to me. I like Elmax.
 
I like the Elmax but honestly the performance on the S35vn is awesome
 
Comeuppance said:
Good info right here :thumbup:

I kinda actually like the idea of a S35VN 0801. I already saw it as my "Sebenza Alternative" and now it's even closer...
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I would say check out the 808. I just got one and I can definitely dig it. Kinda between a large and small Sebenza. I only suggest it because the 801 is pretty thick behind the edge, not a good slicer.
 
DeadboxHero said:
I like the Elmax but honestly the performance on the S35vn is awesome
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Agreed.

And just in general, regardless of whether they use S35Vn on everything or introduce another steel, the main thing is getting the HT right.

All these steels are more then good enough for what 95% use a knife for.
 
Comeuppance said:
Either works fine. Sounds like splitting hairs to me. Materials have a stark point of diminishing returns compared to cutting geometry, blade profile, and ergonomics. Elmax is a great steel but that didn't make the 0560 series any better at cutting things than a VW Bus.

As long as it's a decent particle metallurgy steel, I'm keen on it. It's worth noting that the price point seems to have moved to match the materials and that comes on the heels of ZT seeming to notably ramp up their fit and finish. The 0452CF I picked up from New Graham was -flawless-, which is a huge contrast to the 0561 I picked up a few years ago that wouldn't even fully flip open without a little wrist. An 0560 costs around $200 where a 909 can be readily found in the $160 range, which puts it in the same price range as the S35VN PM2 sprint and the Crooked River.

I think ZT has the best balance of things right now, TBH. The blade steels are almost immaterial changes for most of us anyway if we're being honest about how much performance we need out of a knife.
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Properly ground and heat treated 440c will out cut any high end 3pm steel with an eh heat treat and crap geometry.

To be fair to the 560/1, it was designed in a time before everyone realized how great stuff detente are and also before any production company learned how to do it on a consistent basis. 5 years ago the only bearing flipper with a stuff detent was basically an RJ Martin custom.

I think comparing the 560 to the new stuff just show how far we have all come. The 560 was a game changing knife but it's been clearly passed by a new knife. Its like comparing the original Lexus LS400 with any modern luxury car. The bones are there but it's a whole new ball game.
 
not necessarily. Newer generation of 560/1 flips as good as any newer ZTs, including 0452, 0801, and 0562.
 
sharp_edge said:
not necessarily. Newer generation of 560/1 flips as good as any newer ZTs, including 0452, 0801, and 0562.
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Yes, I am aware of this! That is why I was careful in how I phrased it, but, as is ubiquitous on forums, misinterpretation abounds.

"that comes on the heels of ZT seeming to notably ramp up their fit and finish."
"which is a huge contrast to the 0561 I picked up a few years ago"
 
hindererhopeful said:
I actually just saw this recently in the ZT catalog. I thought it might be a mistake however Elmax was not listed on the steel chart. I still wasn't sure since ZT still has the 801 and 566 listed as Elmax on their website.

I personally have had a great experience with Elmax on my 0566. I've sharpened it once about a year ago and after some use here and there it still sharp. When it stops whittling hair all I have to do is touch it up with just a couple strokes on my ultra fine stone and its right back where it was.
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I have a 0566 in Elmax, and have had zero issues with use. I love it! Personally, it compares to my CRK with S35VN. It always amazes me how folks will qualify one steel over another. I use my knives, and make my own decisions based on experience. Elmax / S35VN they both have served me very well.
 
tex.proud said:
I have a 0566 in Elmax, and have had zero issues with use. I love it! Personally, it compares to my CRK with S35VN. It always amazes me how folks will qualify one steel over another. I use my knives, and make my own decisions based on experience. Elmax / S35VN they both have served me very well.
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Both being fine-grained particle metallurgy steels with easy edge maintenance and good impact resistance, I would argue they are functionally interchangeable - by which I mean the two steels fill the same roles, not that they are otherwise identical.
 
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