S35vn vs elmax. Our in-depth comparison helps you choose the best steel for your EDC or tactical knife. Niobium is added to knife steels like S35VN, S110V, and Niolox. Similarly to the comparison with S30V steel, ELMAX displays superior dependability at a high HRC than S35VN, and better corrosion resistance while retaining its toughness. S35VN is much easier to sharpen and has a greater toughness level compared to S35VN. You also have to consider heat treat and steel hardness. With the short answer out of the way, we can look in depth at each steels best uses, what they are made of, how the steels compare in-depth, and the best knives in each steel. BRISA Trapper 95, Elmax, from Finland. Also S35VN is cheaper and easier to machine, so that's likely a huge part of that as well. If you know how much toughness you need and how much wear resistance you need, the question becomes easier. Elmax Steel About Elmax Steel While much like its brother M390, Elmax boasts a finer grain structure for some added toughness and wear resistance. In a jam how hard would they be to sharpen compared to S35VN? I found elmax was great as far as toughness and edge retention goes but is hell to sharpen. Elmax stands as the high-performance benchmark, a steel that delivers exceptional edge retention and corrosion resistance in one package, demanding more from the user in return. S45VN has only slightly reduced toughness when compared with S35VN, and S45VN is an improvement over S30V, particularly when hardness is factored in: Elmax had somewhat better toughness though at lower hardness, when hardness is considered the toughness of S45VN is better. Higher toughness allows for thinner edge geometries and better performance in challenging cutting tasks without fear of blade failure. In real life it’s hard to tell the difference between S35VN/Elmax/M390. It is a tough steel and has excellent corrosion resistance. But Elmax is better at retaining edge for a long time compared to S35VN. When it comes to high-performance knife steels, two names often stand out: Elmax and S35VN. Is the elmax such a better steel that the upgrade will be worth it? Thanks. Thank you. ELMAX, produced by Bohler-Uddeholm, is known for its slightly higher toughness compared to 20CV, making it well-suited for knives that may encounter rigorous use. After browsing, I saw some really nice knife steels able to withstand huge amounts of abuse, and retain edges for extreme periods of time. If you look at the chart in the first link you provided, you'll see that Elmax, even at 59Rc, is much tougher than 440C, 154CM, CPM 154, S30V and S35VN (the other steels, except 440C, are listed by their composition names). Anyone have hands on experience with these two steels from MT? I had a ZT 560 that was ELMAX, and I had a MT Vector in s35vn. Both of these steels are renowned for their exceptional qualities, making them popular choices among knife enthusiasts, manufacturers, and custom makers. Also to Gianni, Molletta, and Neo do you guys have anymore information about other new But Elmax has a greater hardness level making it better in terms of edge retention. They’re all good and nowadays I consider the design of the knife much more than if it has S35VN vs. Elmax steel is often compared to other high-end stainless steels such as S30V, S35VN, and M390. If you’re a knife user or a knife maker, you probably heard about the CPM Steel from Crucible and the S family (S110V, S90V, S30V and S35V), one of their famous steel is the CPM S35VN Steel, and again it got my intention, and I decided to make a CPM S35VN Steel Review. M390 vs. Despite this, S35VN steel knives are not noticeably less cheap than those made of ELMAX. S45VN vs. Comprehensive comparisons of different knife steels - properties, characteristics, and use cases About S35VN Steel About S45VN Steel S35VN vs S45VN: Comparison Table Toughness Edge Retention Corrosion Resistance Ease Of Sharpening Intention Of Use Price Is Out of this list (Niolox,Elmax,Vanax,s35vn,cpm154) or to any steel of your knowledge, what is the toughest Stainless steel today? Also could you compare its toughness Similarly to the comparison with S30V steel, ELMAX displays superior dependability at a high HRC than S35VN, and better corrosion resistance while retaining its toughness. They were such different knives and made by different companies so it is hard to compare. S35VN will hold an edge about as well as S30V, but it will be a little tougher. overall, S35VN is more suitable for outdoor applications and moist areas. But unfortunately Elmax and M360 performs pretty average and it is became clear now even with this "Informal" test results - people start using them and see real performance. S35VN comparison is a classic study in engineering trade-offs within the premium steel category. Information on how S35VN compares with other knife steels and how to best heat treat it for optimal hardness and toughness. Outdoor: Choose Vanax, Elmax, or D2 — Vanax excels in wet/marine conditions with unmatched corrosion resistance, while Elmax and D2 offer excellent toughness for heavy-duty tasks. Dec 22, 2025 · Elmax offers superior wear resistance, but S35VN is tougher and easier to sharpen. ELMAX CPM 20CV and ELMAX both offer outstanding wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and edge retention, making them top choices for high-end knives. If memory serves, S35VN is like S30V, but with better toughness and possibly a more consistent heat treat. I want a knife with a solid balance in all the categories, toughness, corrosion resistance, edge retention, and ease of sharpening. I also came across several threads that mentioned ZT's poor HT of Elmax (specifically burning), but it seems to have been resolved as time went on, albeit it still wasn't optimal enough to take advantage of Elmax's properties. Elmax will be a little tougher than S35VN, but it won't hold an edge quite as well. Whereas Elmax has a higher carbide volume, higher hardness than standard production S30V (which is typically in the Rc 57-59 range), and more corrosion resistance. The Elmax vs. thread for you guys. Aug 13, 2025 · S35VN VS Elmax Being a premium stainless steel, we would expect Elmax steel to beat S35VN steel in most properties, but S35VN beats it in corrosion resistance and ease of sharpening. M390 and 20CV have surprisingly high toughness given the high carbide Some knife makers prefer Elmax for its grindability and more forgiving nature. Why was it added? What does it do? Why use niobium instead of vanadium? I currently have a zt 0550, and what im wondering is if the 0560 is worth getting for the elmax steel. M390 and 20CV have surprisingly high toughness given the high carbide CPM Cru Wear steel will however offer tougher knife steel than M390 steel, it is also easier to sharpen and cheaper. S110V steel has a high hardness level, better wear resistance and edge retention compared to S35VN. Another VS. Rex 45 vs M4, Maxamet vs everthing else. Like Elmax, S35VN offers good edge retention, corrosion resistance, and toughness. However, Elmax typically has the edge in terms of wear resistance, allowing it to maintain sharpness longer under heavy use. M390 steel is often compared to other high-quality stainless steels such as CPM S30V, CPM S35VN, and Elmax. not a barkie, but a great knife Around this same time period, Carpenter CTS-XHP and Uddeholm Elmax became more widely available for cutlery usage. How does CPM S35VN compare to M390? M390 outperforms S35VN in edge holding and corrosion resistance, but: S35VN is easier to sharpen It’s more affordable Better suited for entry-level premium knives What Are the Pros and Cons of M390 Steel? S35VN is usually closer to ELMAX or CPM-154, where VG-10 is usually closer to 154CM. Elmax vs S35VN S35VN steel is better at corrosion resistance and ease of sharpening compared to Elmax. any thoughts? is s35vn any better than elmax? S35VN is usually closer to ELMAX or CPM-154, where VG-10 is usually closer to 154CM. It offers similar or even better performance in terms of edge retention, corrosion resistance, and toughness. Elmax fits a nice niche between S35VN and M390 in terms of ease of sharpening and edge retention, while being a bit tougher. In terms of hardness, Vanax is like S35VN, but Vanax has better corrosion resistance. Elmax vs S90V Both of them are stainless steels with great edge retention capability. An like ELMAX, it's still a very tough steel at even 60. CPM CruWear vs Elmax CPM CruWear is non-stainless steel while Elmax is stainless steel with more chromium content than CPM CruWear, for this reason, Elmax steel knife will offer suitable performance in corrosive environments. What can you fellas tell me about how well MT does with these two steels? ELMAX enthält kein Niob, dem Schlüsselbestandteil von S35VN, zeigt aber eine dem S35VN überlegene Zuverlässigkeit bei einem hohen HRC-Wert, sowie eine höhere Korrosionsbeständigkeit bei gleichbleibender Zähigkeit. Vanax. Below is a table showing ratings of S35Vn vs. EDC: Opt for Nitro V, S35VN, or 14C28N — all offer excellent corrosion resistance, easy sharpening, and hassle-free maintenance for everyday use. Hi, I was wondering how Niolox, Elmax, Vanax are compared to other Super Stainless steels such as S35vn, Cpm154, 440c, etc In terms of edge retention, corrosion, price, and most imporantly (Toughness). Then check out the best Elmax steel knives here! More edge retention testing on a range of high speed and stainless steels. i only have the s30v spyderco mili. M390 etc. At lower hardness levels, S35VN blades may hold up to impact better than Elmax, especially if the latter is 62 HRc or above. S35VNステンレス鋼S35VNはステンレス系の鋼材で錆びにくく、切れ味、刃もち、砥ぎやすさのバランスがよい鋼材です。 Elmax スーパーステンレス鋼Elmaxはステンレス系最高峰の鋼材で、硬度が高くとても切れ味が鋭く、刃もちが良くなっています。 Check out our essential guide to knife steel as we discuss the most popular steels and the key factors to consider in choosing the best steel for your knife. Elmax Steel の特性、性能、最適な用途について学び、Elmax と M390 などの他の人気のあるナイフ鋼と比較してください。 CPM 20CV vs. Made by Bohler-Uddeholm in Sweden. Since this is a minor difference that mostly won’t be evident, Elmax is a better PM steel overall. Like Kershaw has Elmax (I rather prefer them to stick with CPM D2 which they do pretty well), Benchmade has M360, Spyderco has CPM M4. Elmax is the toughest of the powder stainless steels, with the possible exception of Vanax SuperClean. Steel Metallurgist Larrin Thomas uses tests of knife steels to rate the steels and explains the factors that control performance. Like ELMAX, it does a great job holding an edge, but it performs really well across the board. M390 and Elmax are steadily building a reputation as outstanding products. For reference, S45VN and Elmax steel toughness is better than that of S30V steel and slightly lower than that of S35VN steel. Between these outliers are a lot of good steels. ELMAX wird mit einem Partikel-Metallurgie-Prozess hergestellt, ähnlich dem CPM-Prozess von Crucible Industries. I personally love the In which case, I believe Elmax is the clear winner. The knife is an edc and will be used on all my hunts, skinning, back country things. Elmax vs. But, to conclude, I saw that 3 steels in particular were most popular among knife collectors. Find out exactly why Elmax steel is considered a super steel, and why you should get it for your next outdoor knife (that also works for EDC). Elmax is known for its excellent edge retention and toughness, while CPM-S35VN is known for its corrosion resistance and ease of sharpening. I'd honestly keep it, S35VN is a really good steel, any benefit you'd get over it with Elmax is a big "if". and another new member of my knife family. Elmax (Good, balanced high end steel, but hard to sharpen and imo overpriced for what you get) S30V (Older version of S35VN, a bit chippier and a bit harder to sharpen than its newer counterpart, but overall solid) However, comparing its toughness S30V and other comparable grades like Elmax or S45VN have less toughness than S35VN. s35vn and elmax comparision? i need some help, i own a zt0566 with elmax blade,never got a chance to touch s35vn . i have problem sharpening the elmax so i think im gonna get a s35vn knife for edc in the future. A corrosion resistance test performed on S35VN and S45VN revealed that S35VN did fairly well in the corrosion testing, almost as well as S45VN which was specifically designed to have better corrosion resistance with an increased Chromium content. It is known for its superior edge retention, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. CPM-S35VN is the most popular steel currently used on production and semi-custom knives. Oct 6, 2024 · In today’s knife steel landscape, ELMAX and S35VN reign supreme, each offering unique blends of performance. CPM S35VN vs Elmax Both of these steels are premium grade steels but Elmax beats S35VN in edge retention, ease of sharpening, hardness level and wear resistance. How does toughness compare between S35VN and ELMAX? I read some claims that one is toughest, but others that claim the other is tougher. Mar 24, 2017 · However, in production knives, Elmax and S35VN are about the same. About S35VN Steel About S45VN Steel S35VN vs S45VN: Comparison Table Toughness Edge Retention Corrosion Resistance Ease Of Sharpening Intention Of Use Price Is S45VN Better Than S35VN? Conclusion on S45VN VS S35VN The Battle of Super Steels: S35VN vs S30V In the realm of super steels, two names stand tall: S35VN and S30V. Nov 18, 2024 · Compare Elmax vs S35VN knife steels based on composition, edge retention, toughness & real-world performance. . Not looking to compare any other steel, just these two. Whether you’re a dedicated collector or a professional seeking the ideal utility, these two premium steels often appear in debates about longevity, cutting performance, and ease of sharpening. VG-10, N690, CPM-154 and 154CM are finding their way into a lot of moderate priced knives, and even some budget items. Title says it all, what is the consensus on elmax vs the more commonly used stainless steels like s30v, s90v, 154cm, vg10, etc ? Is elmax a "super steel"? I haven't come across much discussion or product using this steel. I think it is easier to sharpen than S30V. I personally have had a few bad sharpening experiences with M390/20CV and other similar high edge-retention steels, so have gravitated more towards the well-rounded steels like S35VN/154CM/Elmax and the highly corrosion-resistant steels that sharpen easily, like LC200N and to a lesser extent Nitro-V and N690. Vanax demonstrates superior corrosion resistance over Elmax because of its nitrogen addition, higher chromium in solution. S35VN steel is a stainless steel designed to have an improved toughness over S30V, as well as being easy to polish, and does not wear as easily. These powdered steels use a different process than Crucible, but they are also high-end stainless steels (with high-chromium and high-vanadium levels similar to S30V and S35VN) intended to compete with CPM-S30V and CPM-S35VN HULLO. As in you'd get a benefit IF they didn't burn the edge, if they did, you'd get edge retention similar to 8cr13mov until you sharpen away that material. 5dtb, pa5w, wbxsb, bzkcc, hctrjq, mo27i, r11vm, v7nyz0, mq3p, ursvt,