ZT's Elmax; Educate me? :-)

sticktodrum

sticktodrum

Joined
Apr 16, 2012
Messages
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The S35VN on the 0550 is very nice. The S30V on my 0780 is also quite sexy. So what is the claim to fame of the Elmax in the 0560? Seems several of you guys have that blade, I may pick one up sooner than I thought, but having never used Elmax, I don't know what it's exactly all about.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.
 
hahaha stick, you and I are in the same boat. I thought after my 0350 that getting the 0550 on sale would have my edc needs mostly taken care of and would quench my thirst for the more expensive blades for a while....WRONG. Even though I had planned to hold off I see myself ordering this much sooner than expected :rolleyes:.
 
Don't get the 560 for the steel. Elmax is very rust resistant, I've found it holds an edge pretty good, it's in the middle of vg-10 and m390 in my experience as far as edge retention, and it sharpens up beautifully. Elmax is also very tough, so breaking the tip or getting chips in your edge is very unlikely. The zt 560 is a WHOLE level above the 550, IMO. I love my 560, is is so smooth, has very good fit and finish, and carries amazingly well for its size. It is like a much more refined and practical 550 IMO. You really have to handle a zt 560 to understand it.
 
Hahaha you are killing me, I can only imagine because I absolutely love my 0550.
 
BrentD86 said:
Hahaha you are killing me, I can only imagine because I absolutely love my 0550.
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Don't get me wrong the 550 is a great knife, I've handled many of them, but the 560 is just much more refined, but that's why it costs an extra $60.
 
Ya, i've intended to get both since I made the jump to zt knives. There was a good sale on the 550 and the size is also appealing. I always have it in my mind that I am going to scare some sheeple someday by using a larger knife for some mundane task.
 
It appears to be superior to both s35vn and s30v.

Kershaw makes a less expensive knife with that steel, can't recall the name of it. I'll bet chester22 knows, he seems to have a Kershaw catalog mind!

I prefer the in hand feel of the 0550/51 but when I need a heaver duty knife I grab the 0560 because of the flipper.
 
2 shot said:
It appears to be superior to both s35vn and s30v.

Kershaw makes a less expensive knife with that steel, can't recall the name of it. I'll bet chester22 knows, he seems to have a Kershaw catalog mind!

I prefer the in hand feel of the 0550/51 but when I need a heaver duty knife I grab the 0560 because of the flipper.
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The less expensive knife kershaw makes with elmax is the speedform 2, I have no experience with it.
 
Don't get the 560 because of ELMAX. It is good, but I've yet to see a use where it is significantly better than the 35VN of the 550. Of the two, the 550 is my preferred knife, in all aspects except the flipper/KVT. The flipper and the KVT are good reasons to buy the 560.
 
2 shot said:
It appears to be superior to both s35vn and s30v.

Kershaw makes a less expensive knife with that steel, can't recall the name of it. I'll bet chester22 knows, he seems to have a Kershaw catalog mind!
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Thanks I try.. And to think I've only got into pocket knives in the beginning of this year..

Also don't forget OP the 0551 is ELMAX too
 
I am really liking the 0560. The flipper + KVT makes for a smooth open. I think the ELMAX is a great steel and with the Hinderer design is a great knife that is worth trying out. I agree for its size, the 0560 is quite easy to carry.
 
2 shot said:
...
Kershaw makes a less expensive knife with that steel, can't recall the name of it. I'll bet chester22 knows, he seems to have a Kershaw catalog mind!

...
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The original Speedform has a composite blade with an Elmax edge and D2 spine, and the Speedform II has an all-Elmax blade. There's also a ZT0350 with a composite Elmax blade with a 14c28n spine.
 
So there you have it...chester22 does his homework (but can he cook?) gooeytek has the details on kershaw knives with elmax steel, the 0560 stands on its own regardless of steel used.

Elmax has great qualities, edge retention, tough, easy to sharpen and doesn't corrode. I like that it isn't brittle and is easy to sharpen. For most knife people if their favorite EDC had elmax steel for the blade it would be a major improvement.
 
If it's better than S30v then I'm in for quite the treat because my 0560 should be here today and S30v is my favorite steel type so far.
 
Always wondered why the 0560 was so expensive seeing as the speedform II that I have was only $68 (steel) and Sage 2 $140 (handle). But I guess the KVT system and being American made bumps up the price.
 
I love my ZT 0561! It was a bit expensive, but it was definitely worth it. It feels like a tank in the hand, and I love the KVT system!
 
Elmax is my favorite steel for what it's woth. I prefer it over M390, M4, S35V, 154cm, and anything else I've tried. I like it so much that I have an over $500 custom on orderand I chose Elmax as the steel for it. It isn't necessarily the best in any category, but it is my favorite all around steel, and makes a great EDC, especially with its level of corrosion and wear resistance.
 
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