The choice to buy a knife is not easy. I hesitated between CoS and Elmax Steel. I know CoS, you convinced me to buy an Elmax knife for my son's birthday. Thank you........... Fällkniven F1 Pro Elmax...... A good knife is for the rest of your life.
I absolutely love Elmax… Enzo Trapper, Bradford Guardian 5.5, First Edge 5050 & 5150… they’re easy to scalpel sharpen with the right abrasives and Tormek paste, they hold the edge a very long time, they don’t chip ding or roll, and they’re damn tough overall considering the edge holding ability and being truly stainless. The Guardian 5.5 is an exceptionally good knife in every regard; thick enough without being heavy, a slicey edge without being delicate, perfect tip, great balance, good handle, good looking, and of course the best steel I’ve come across in my 40+ years of buying knives. I’ve bought and sold many knives, and if I could keep only one I’ll keep that Guardian til I croak.
Just picked up a Guardian 5.5 and you are not kidding, what a fantastic knife! I have spent countless amounts of money on dozens and dozens of knives and this is THE SHARPEST knife I have ever had out the box too. Everything you said is spot on, what a great tool!
I have a Spyderco Paramilitary 2 Fradon Lock edition with Elmax. It's a beautiful steel. Even looking at it, you can tell it's not what you normally get.
Great job on educating us on this awesome knife steel. I just recently got a TRC apocalypse in elmax and I have to say you can feel the difference of other more common steels like 1095 for instance and the performance and edge retention are ridiculously dope. Love it and highly recommend checking that knife out if you haven’t already.
I have an ACE Sonoma V2 in Elmax made by Reate. Blade is 0.138" (3.5mm) thick. It manages to maintain / hold a razor blade sharpness and takes a beautiful polished finish. I will be buying more Elmax blades when I find them. Thanks for the steel review.
I'm new to the channel and am enjoying it quite a bit. Never used Elmax but am looking forward to someday getting such a blade. Thanks for all the info you're imparting to us, it's needed and wanted. From Canada...stay safe.
Glad you're enjoying them, Jim! T.C. has a history with metal and fabrication and loves learning and passing this along to all of us...I think he is planning on handing out homework in the office before tolng😂
@@SMKWcom My father- in law was an engineer and when he would impart his knowledge to me he always said " there will be a test afterward " so be careful there.
Just got my first Elmax. GiantMouse Clyde, version 2, from the GF, for Christmas. It certainly takes a polish easily on the strop. Looking forward to sharpening it when it eventually needs the work. Love these steel vids. Thanks SMKW crew. Merry Christmas.
Tip: don't use an Arkansas stone. You'll be there all day and it still won't sharpen. You're going to need a diamond stone for this steel. Ask your girlfriend for one next Christmas. That's about when you'll need to sharpen it. The edge retention of this steel is legendary. CONGRATS!
Love this steel! I have a Firstedge fixed blade and it is great in the hand with no hot spots. Blade is easy to sharpen and hold a an edge. It is pricy, however worth it!
Having a enzo trapper 115 is like having a Mora with a supersteel. Also have Elmax on many of my knives like TRC because I like to be prepared while being in wet and humid environments. Being in the military long enough. Most days in the wilderness I deal with being soaked in rain. And Hawaii, North Carolina and Japan. There`s that high humidity you can just feel in the air. No metal is safe unless its well taken care of. So having that corrosion resistance to add to the toughness and edge retention that can beat the ever popular 1095 high carbon is piece a of mind. Plus had god amounts of hours sharpening so most super steels are easy for me to sharpen to a cutting edge even in the wild. Its my favorite steel.
Jesustapdancingchrist! FINALLY a straightforward explanation of Elmax. I'm so very close to being in trouble with the wife for buying a Fallkniven R2z scout in elmax and I really wanted to be able to explain to her why it was so expensive... on second thought, it probably won't help.
I saw that bladeops has a new exclusive Spyderco in elmax with a Emerson opener n thinking about adding this flavor to my collection.. so appreciate this informative vid on this steel!
I love your voice and your channel and in very upset with myself for not finding this video earlier but Keep up the fantastic work and to be honest It will be a honor for me when your reate exo knifes are available for me to own one from your shop also I hope one day I can visit your store in EAST Tennessee I would love to shake your hand and congratulate on your store and you also having the limited edition fat carbon reate exo knifes.
I'm waiting for Rough Ryder to come out with Elmax steel lol I don't have Elmax steel yet but I have a Bark River on my wish list that has Elmax. Cool video!
I have bought elmax from alpha knife supply and it's definitely not one for beginners to forge, since it's extremely tough. But as far as price it ranges from somewhere $58 for a 11inch chunk to $120+ for a 3 foot section
That is highly subjective based on the environment you're usually in and the material you typically cut. These are two vastly different steels, elmax is stainless where as Cru-Wear is not, both are great steels it just depends on what you are looking for specifically
Elmax is the best no matter what you hear. Here is the proof: Any Kershaw Blur with Elmax steel, over 200 dollars. Any Benchmade with elmax, over 300 dollars. ZT knives with Elmax over 3-400 dollars. Look up what Microtech Uses in their OTF knives. Still baffled; ask John Wick.
Very regular ROUNDED carbides… survives a pounding… (Have a TRC Apocalypse)… I still prefer S35VN at the same hardness (59-61 HRC) for its toughness, though… for Bushcraft… in NA. (It is the Niobium, stupid!…)
Why are there so many steels 😭 my buddy said s90v was the strongest industrial steel or something like that and now I'm finding out there's better steels 🤯🤯😭
There is no 1 steel that is over all the best. Many have different properties that work better for different jobs. Try out several and see which work best for you👍
The all knowing Google says, "ELMAX: it's a sharp edge steel retaining many of "hard carbon steel" properties while being stainless, thanks to fine carbides. Vanax: Nitrogen steel: extremely stainless (for salt water use), mechanical properties compare with Elmax except doesn't get as hard"
Great explanation of Elmax. Thanks for the info!
Thank you!!! We are planning on using one of your knives for our Will It Cut series! Do you have any suggestions? 😉
@@TCB2Country122 We have quite a few options! Are you looking for a specific size range or even an ax?
We are looking for something to torture test around 5”, what would you like to see us beat up? Surprise us
@@SMKWcom We'd be happy to send one your way. Can you send me more details on where to send it? info@topsknives.com
Maybe tops will do some limited Elmax runs with the new custom shop!! I love tops great guys and products!!
It's Spanish for "The Max." 🤣
I thought this for a while and even if it's false it might as well be true 😂.
Considering it's an Austrian-Swedish steel, I highly doubt that.
You son of a gun. Genius.
Thanks for the shout out. I'm still learning sounds like a strong 💪 durable steel. Thanks 😊!!
We love when people give us good suggestions and you have given several Mike! Keep'em coming👍
The choice to buy a knife is not easy. I hesitated between CoS and Elmax Steel. I know CoS, you convinced me to buy an Elmax knife for my son's birthday. Thank you........... Fällkniven F1 Pro Elmax...... A good knife is for the rest of your life.
Fällkniven makes one heck of a knife! Glad we could help and that is an awesome present👍
I've got a 61 hrc falkniven r2 I batoned through some seasoned Osage yesterday, did 0 to the edge. I like it better than my 59ish hrc bravo edc
I got one also and was wondering about toughness, I guess it’s good stuff
I absolutely love Elmax… Enzo Trapper, Bradford Guardian 5.5, First Edge 5050 & 5150… they’re easy to scalpel sharpen with the right abrasives and Tormek paste, they hold the edge a very long time, they don’t chip ding or roll, and they’re damn tough overall considering the edge holding ability and being truly stainless.
The Guardian 5.5 is an exceptionally good knife in every regard; thick enough without being heavy, a slicey edge without being delicate, perfect tip, great balance, good handle, good looking, and of course the best steel I’ve come across in my 40+ years of buying knives. I’ve bought and sold many knives, and if I could keep only one I’ll keep that Guardian til I croak.
The Guardian is a great choice and we all love Elmax....TC especially🤣
Just picked up a Guardian 5.5 and you are not kidding, what a fantastic knife! I have spent countless amounts of money on dozens and dozens of knives and this is THE SHARPEST knife I have ever had out the box too. Everything you said is spot on, what a great tool!
Learning about steel. Thanks. Great Video.
T.C. is having a blast with these but I'm afraid he will start passing out homework in the office soon....
I have a Spyderco Paramilitary 2 Fradon Lock edition with Elmax. It's a beautiful steel. Even looking at it, you can tell it's not what you normally get.
just picked up the new F1 Pro in ELMAX. They nailed the heat treat. Great edge retention and razor sharp.
🙌🙌🙌
Great job on educating us on this awesome knife steel. I just recently got a TRC apocalypse in elmax and I have to say you can feel the difference of other more common steels like 1095 for instance and the performance and edge retention are ridiculously dope. Love it and highly recommend checking that knife out if you haven’t already.
Thanks for the suggestion👍
It's the best steel for EDC in my opinion. It's fantastic
Thanks for watching
Plenty happy with s30v, 14c28n and 154cm and can keep em sharp👍
I have an ACE Sonoma V2 in Elmax made by Reate. Blade is 0.138" (3.5mm) thick. It manages to maintain / hold a razor blade sharpness and takes a beautiful polished finish. I will be buying more Elmax blades when I find them. Thanks for the steel review.
Thanks for watching!
I would also love to see a video on spy27. Keep them coming!
That's a great suggestion and we will add it to the list👍
I'm new to the channel and am enjoying it quite a bit. Never used Elmax but am looking forward to someday getting such a blade. Thanks for all the info you're imparting to us, it's needed and wanted. From Canada...stay safe.
Glad you're enjoying them, Jim! T.C. has a history with metal and fabrication and loves learning and passing this along to all of us...I think he is planning on handing out homework in the office before tolng😂
@@SMKWcom My father- in law was an engineer and when he would impart his knowledge to me he always said " there will be a test afterward " so be careful there.
Glad ya did this one, because beyond the name I've heard almost nothing about Elmax! Its one of those mystery steels for me :)
We are all learning and T.C. is having a blast teaching us...I fear homework may make its way around the office
Just got my first Elmax. GiantMouse Clyde, version 2, from the GF, for Christmas. It certainly takes a polish easily on the strop. Looking forward to sharpening it when it eventually needs the work.
Love these steel vids. Thanks SMKW crew. Merry Christmas.
Thanks for watching Poet!
Tip: don't use an Arkansas stone. You'll be there all day and it still won't sharpen. You're going to need a diamond stone for this steel. Ask your girlfriend for one next Christmas. That's about when you'll need to sharpen it. The edge retention of this steel is legendary. CONGRATS!
Love this steel! I have a Firstedge fixed blade and it is great in the hand with no hot spots. Blade is easy to sharpen and hold a an edge. It is pricy, however worth it!
With great steel comes great responsibility 😂 They are worth the extra work👍
Love elmax got a bark river bravo 1lt in elmax it sharpens super easy almost like 1095 and 154cm
Great knife to have in Elmax👍
Having a enzo trapper 115 is like having a Mora with a supersteel. Also have Elmax on many of my knives like TRC because I like to be prepared while being in wet and humid environments. Being in the military long enough. Most days in the wilderness I deal with being soaked in rain. And Hawaii, North Carolina and Japan. There`s that high humidity you can just feel in the air. No metal is safe unless its well taken care of. So having that corrosion resistance to add to the toughness and edge retention that can beat the ever popular 1095 high carbon is piece a of mind. Plus had god amounts of hours sharpening so most super steels are easy for me to sharpen to a cutting edge even in the wild. Its my favorite steel.
Jesustapdancingchrist! FINALLY a straightforward explanation of Elmax. I'm so very close to being in trouble with the wife for buying a Fallkniven R2z scout in elmax and I really wanted to be able to explain to her why it was so expensive... on second thought, it probably won't help.
Thanks for watching and if you figure a way out of trouble when you buy a new knife let the rest of us know! 🤣
I have an early model ZT 0770 cf with elmax steel and really like it.
TC loves Elmax!
That teleprompter knows what it's talking about when it comes to Relax steel. Thanks for the insight!
Thanks for watching!
Elmax was my favorite for awhile, but Vanax took that spot a few months ago. Nitro-V was my favorite before Elmax.
You know your steels! If you have any suggestions for us please pass them along
I saw that bladeops has a new exclusive Spyderco in elmax with a Emerson opener n thinking about adding this flavor to my collection.. so appreciate this informative vid on this steel!
Thanks for watching
Thanks for the info man!
Thanks for watching!
I love your voice and your channel and in very upset with myself for not finding this video earlier but Keep up the fantastic work and to be honest It will be a honor for me when your reate exo knifes are available for me to own one from your shop also I hope one day I can visit your store in EAST Tennessee I would love to shake your hand and congratulate on your store and you also having the limited edition fat carbon reate exo knifes.
Thanks for watching and please stop in if you ever find yourself in East Tennessee 👍
I'm waiting for Rough Ryder to come out with Elmax steel lol I don't have Elmax steel yet but I have a Bark River on my wish list that has Elmax. Cool video!
RR will throw surprises at you now and again like with their VG-10 blades. BR has some awesome patterns with Elmax👍
I have a couple of Bark river knives with different steels elmax is my favorite. I think bark river makes some of the best knives.
I have bought elmax from alpha knife supply and it's definitely not one for beginners to forge, since it's extremely tough. But as far as price it ranges from somewhere $58 for a 11inch chunk to $120+ for a 3 foot section
I have a zt 0560 elmax steel. Great steel
💯
Never had issues with it. I have several microtechs.
is Elmax or Magnacut better for a bushcraft knife?
They are both stainless. Magacut is a little tougher, and Elmax has better edge retention.
better steel ... cru wear or elmax???
That is highly subjective based on the environment you're usually in and the material you typically cut. These are two vastly different steels, elmax is stainless where as Cru-Wear is not, both are great steels it just depends on what you are looking for specifically
Gray elmax shaman is coming! 🤪
We love the Shaman!
First edge knives uses only el max steel for very reasonable price solid knives
Thanks for watching
Elmax is the best no matter what you hear. Here is the proof: Any Kershaw Blur with Elmax steel, over 200 dollars. Any Benchmade with elmax, over 300 dollars. ZT knives with Elmax over 3-400 dollars. Look up what Microtech Uses in their OTF knives. Still baffled; ask John Wick.
Thanks for watching!
Carrying the Spyderco Shaman, and when wearing shorts a baby banter.
Can u do a video on maxamet?
That’s a great one, we will definitely put that one on the list
@@SMKWcom Do it ! I want to learn.
Very regular ROUNDED carbides… survives a pounding… (Have a TRC Apocalypse)… I still prefer S35VN at the same hardness (59-61 HRC) for its toughness, though… for Bushcraft… in NA. (It is the Niobium, stupid!…)
What about the nickel content?
1.7% carbon, 18% chromium, 1% molybdenum, 3% vanadium, and 1% nickel
Mexican Maxamet?😆👍
It is The Max!
Great steel but I'm more of a vanax guy thanks for the great info hint hint lol
We will add it to the list!
Just got a heretic OTF with elmax
Heretic has some awesome OTFs!
Why are there so many steels 😭 my buddy said s90v was the strongest industrial steel or something like that and now I'm finding out there's better steels 🤯🤯😭
There is no 1 steel that is over all the best. Many have different properties that work better for different jobs. Try out several and see which work best for you👍
No need for fancy steel when you have 1095
overpriced hard to sharpen steel.
How does elmax compare to vanax?
The all knowing Google says, "ELMAX: it's a sharp edge steel retaining many of "hard carbon steel" properties while being stainless, thanks to fine carbides. Vanax: Nitrogen steel: extremely stainless (for salt water use), mechanical properties compare with Elmax except doesn't get as hard"
@@SMKWcom thanks
M390 or Elmax?