ZT ELMAX Steel Quality?

Voodew

Voodew

Joined
Jun 16, 2013
Messages
199
Is ZT's ELMAX steel on their 0560 models really as bad as what people say it is? How is the edge retention? I've seen smokeeaters cut test on youtube and that is what has deterred me from purchasing a knife made with ELMAX steel.

I'd like to hear your guys' opinions and experiences with this steel. Because I am seriously considering picking up a 0560.

Thanks in advance,

Mitch
 
This was discussed not log ago, look back at some previous threads and you'll find the topic
 
The best way to judge is to try it and see for yourself. I have a handful of ZT knives and some in Elmax. I've not experienced any major issues to speak of. It's a really good steel, high corrosion resistance, sharpens up similar to S30V, and is tougher.
 
Do yourself a favor and pick one up. If you don't like it, well they hold their resale value extremely well.

As the proud owner of an 0566 and an 0551, I can say with confidence that ZT's Elmax is great. It takes a very keen edge rather easily, and holds it for quite some time. Corrosion resistance is high, as well.

Like other members said, go back a few pages and you'll find plenty of threads on this subject. The truth is, ZT knows their Elmax. It's a solid performer and I'm confident you'll like the knife, assuming you get it. Best of luck, man.
 
I have a ZT 801 and 0770 both are good users. I've cut a lot of cardboard with both and I have only had to strop it. Get it and see if it fits your needs. Youtube cut tests can be misleading. If it fits your edc that's all that matters.
 
In my opinion, somewhere along the line Elmax got a bad rap. Personally, it is one of my favorites. I think it holds an edge better then s35v and is easier to sharpen. It's tough and might roll the edge. But stropping brings it back.
 
Ignore videos. Just get one and try it. They are cheap enough used.
I had a 0561 and while the design was not perfect for me. I was impressed and I liked it better for the edge holding than any S30V, 154CM or S35VN. Once I mastered that edge it was the energizer bunny.
 
Wasn't that the video where he dragged the blade across a piece of wood to clean it off?

Some videos just had an inherent bias in it. There was a video showing it perform similarly to S30v in a cardboard test but the fact that it resharpened easier and it tougher was just glossed over.

You had a few people question it on youtube and the chimp screaming on the forum started until it because a 'fact'... The 'people' that say it's bad likely never tried it themselves and are just parroting what they read on the forum for someone who heard it second hand from someone on youtube experimenting in a very unscientific way.
 
For a regular guy who is new to high end steels, the edge retention on my zt0566 has been freaking fantastic. I've never had to cut a piece of rope into 2" long sections but for everything else I do its performed admirably. Been my edc since I got it in January and hasn't needed sharpened yet. Probably could use stroped but I don't have a strop so...
 
I have owned and tested a number of different knives in ELMAX and haven't seen any issues with it at all.

One of the better choices for an EDC steel these days.

Personally I would love to see some fillet knives made in this steel.
 
I like elmax. I have mine sharpened well considering thickness of angle. High quality Waterstones or diamonds, or sharpening system recommended. I did spend some hours time with my zero tolerance 561 to get a nice mirror polish and remove bevels. It polishes up very mirror like . If you are freehanding it will take some hours.
 
My overall impression is this:
- Elmax has a sweet spot heat treatment that ZT doesn't do, but does it a couple points softer. Still exceptionally tough and wear resistant.
- A number of ZT's elmax blades were either overheated while grinding or not properly heat treated. Not most, just some.
- We are overdramatic and like to assume rare isolated incidents represent unacceptable oversights.
 


This gives you an idea of how much of a mirror Polish can be attained if you strop or convex. Every knife collector needs a 561.
 
The only problem I had with my zt0801 was when I used too much pressure sharpening it on my
Sharpmaker and formed a stubborn burr near the tip of the blade. Elmax takes and holds a great edge just use light pressure when sharpening or use a strop and compound. I think some of the internet video posters problems were related to poor sharpening. I hope KAI CORP
keeps using elmax steel in its knives, I really like it.
 
I've been impressed with Kershaws/Kai/ZT's Elmax since I first tried it in a Speedform 2. I have several others, sold some like the Speedform but the Speedform 2 is what I did most of my testing on. My testing is trying to find out what grit, finish and geometry it likes for the uses I have. I do a lot of sharpening and rebeveling before it's done.

Firstly I noticed how clean a steel it is. What a finish it can take if desired. I have yet to see an inclusion or bubble/void in any of them. It's very high quality stuff and performs very well on the knives I have it on. All of them are Kai/Kershaw/ZT with the exception of a Spyderco Mule in Elmax too so I'm satisfied that Kai has the heat treat/temper down and I've seen excellent consistency. It performs as it should and has always seemed to be a steel that takes tough edges for a high carbide stainless. It's one of the few stainless steels I really like. Personally I'll go with my own experiences over some guys on you tube one of which I've seen have troubles with other companies and steels and never would return the knives he disliked the performance of for lab testing. Some others here have reported problems but I have no knowledge or experience with them or their experience level.

I will say that steels this tough can really hold on to a burr even after stropping that will take most off. That might be responsible for some of the reports though I have no evidence of this. Only as I stated my own great experience with Kershaw's stuff. If I did have problems for the sake of, and out of respect for everybody here I would send it in for testing so the problem could be resolved. Please keep this in mind if you ever have troubles with not only Kai, but other companies products. Most companies have real labs, or access to one plus the foundry will help in cases of problems with steel they make. They want samples for testing if there is a problem as well.


Joe
 
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