ZT Knives: Best steel for EDC folder?

B

Bennett Richards

Joined
May 22, 2000
Messages
185
Hi,
I have been trying to decide which ZT EDC folder is right for me and have realized that there are many different steels used:
CPM-S110V
CTS-204P
ELMAX
CPM-S30V
S30V
M390
ZDP-189
CPM-S35VM
CTS-B75P

Is there one best steel among these that will resist corrosion, chipping and take and keep an edge longer than the others?
So confusing
 
IMO elmax is the best all around of the bunch... Doesn't necessarily excel in one area next to some of the others, but does all things rather well...
 
In my limited experience:

ZDP is definitely the hardest of these to sharpen. Particularly if it's gotten blunt or your re-profiling the edge. Great edge holding though.

S110V, also difficult to get a fine razor edge, but holds a working edge for ages.

M390 has a great balance of edge holding and ease of sharpening, and very stainless. CTS-204P is much the same as M390. M390/204P should be up near the top of your list.

S30V/S35VN is so widely used because it is such a great blade steel, formulated specifically for knife blades I think, I certainly like it, easy enough to get heinously sharp and holds an edge well. Possibly the best all rounder for EDC use.

Elmax is a steel I've become really attached to lately, I have 3 Elmax folders and am really impressed with the steel so far. Sitting a little lower on the Bohler family tree than M390, I'm finding Elmax to have an ideal balance between edge holding and sharpenability, with very good corrosion resistance.
I'm actually starting to prefer Elmax to S30V, I'm perceiving a bit better edge holding with it.

CTS-B75P I have no experience with so can't comment.

How are your sharpening skills? That can be a factor in your choosing.
 
I agree with the Elmax or S35VN suggestion for an all-around steel. They have really good balance between properties and they're both pretty easy to maintain. Other steels in your list will excel in one area or the other, but if you want a well balanced steel, those two are very good.
 
That question is considerably more complicated than you may know. Unless you do a LOT of cutting with your EDC any one of those steels should be more than enough for any day-to-day use. I'm with the suggestions of S35VN or Elmax as both are a bit easier to sharpen than the other offerings. M390/204P is great if you're already very confident in your sharpening skills, though.
 
I have good luck with m390 as well as the others mentioned. S35vn is easier to sharpen but oh what an edge m390 takes. May be my new favorite. Russ
 
Cursum Perficio said:
In my limited experience:

ZDP is definitely the hardest of these to sharpen. Particularly if it's gotten blunt or your re-profiling the edge. Great edge holding though.

S110V, also difficult to get a fine razor edge, but holds a working edge for ages.

M390 has a great balance of edge holding and ease of sharpening, and very stainless. CTS-204P is much the same as M390. M390/204P should be up near the top of your list.

S30V/S35VN is so widely used because it is such a great blade steel, formulated specifically for knife blades I think, I certainly like it, easy enough to get heinously sharp and holds an edge well. Possibly the best all rounder for EDC use.

Elmax is a steel I've become really attached to lately, I have 3 Elmax folders and am really impressed with the steel so far. Sitting a little lower on the Bohler family tree than M390, I'm finding Elmax to have an ideal balance between edge holding and sharpenability, with very good corrosion resistance.
I'm actually starting to prefer Elmax to S30V, I'm perceiving a bit better edge holding with it.

CTS-B75P I have no experience with so can't comment.

How are your sharpening skills? That can be a factor in your choosing.
Click to expand...

Good post, the CTS-B75P is a fine knife steel. I don't think you could go wrong with any of the listed steels, all higher end knives have one of them.
 
honestly i dont think you can go wrong with any of the steels mentioned. Id say s30v and zdp are the most prone to chipping. The bd75p ive only had one knife with it, and never used it enough to comment. Out of that bunch I prefer m390/cts-204p and elmax. For the reasons mentioned above.
 
I had decided on a 0562CF but that model is no longer available with an M309 blade and now comes with a blade made of CTS-204P tool steel. The less expensive 0562 has a blade made from ELMAX.
Which one should I choose?

Thanks
 
204 is the equivalent of m390 and will have better edge retention than elmax. I say go 204
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top