I just traded my ZT560 off toward a couple more Benchmades yesterday and never liked the Elmax but most people seem to love it. What makes it better? Most of my Benchmades are 154cm or m390. I have a microtech that is Elmax and it is easy to sharpen but the 560 never was

Basically, its a stainless with qualities of high carbon steels. Tough edge that doesn't chip out and is still easy to sharpen. Good lateral strength and impact resistence.

I have used s35 vn, s30v, and elmax. If I wanted a stainless knife I would choose Elmax. CPM3V still tops it in most all catagories though. So if stainless is not a major deciding factor cpm3v is the superior steel.

Elmax is a very stain resistant steel with high toughness and edge retention. I suppose it could be tough to sharpen on less than ideal tools

It can take a licking and keep ticking.



Smithy made me a knife out of Elmax and I love it.