Is Elmax the Best Production Knife Steel?

What is Elmax Steel?

Vosteed Thunderbird Trek Lock 

Folks, let me tell you about Elmax Steel. This is not your average, run-of-the-mill stainless steel. No, Elmax is the real deal. We're talking premium, top-shelf, high-end steel, brought to you by the folks at Bohler-Uddeholm. And get this—the U.S. Navy SEALs use it. Now, if it’s good enough for our nation's finest warriors, do you think it’ll get the job done in your hands? I don’t know about you, but that’s more than enough to convince me.

Elmax is created using something called the powder metallurgy process. It’s not just a steel; it’s a super steel. You’re getting the corrosion resistance of the best stainless steel money can buy, and it’s got hardness and edge retention like a high-carbon steel, the kind you can bet your life on. With the right heat treatment, this stuff is like iron will forged into a blade. The toughness and wear resistance make Elmax perfect for a knife that will outlast anything you throw at it.

Now, here’s what really sets Elmax apart, and it’s a game-changer—impact resistance. You don’t find impact resistance in other stainless steels, folks. But Elmax? It’s different. That’s because it’s made with something called a "Superclean" sintering process. It’s got staying power. Trust me, a knife made from Elmax steel isn’t going to fail you. It’s an investment, and like the best investments, it’s built to last a lifetime.

One of our favorite Elmax blade knives is the GiantMouse ACE Atelier (pictured below). The Elmax blade pushes it way up the list.  

How is Elmax Heat Treated?

Now let’s dive into what makes Elmax steel so darn reliable—its heat treatment. These folks at Bohler-Uddeholm know their stuff. Here’s what they do:

1. Soft Annealing: Elmax is heated up to 980°C and held there for 10 hours. Why? To make it tough and easy to work with. That’s what’s going to give you a steel that doesn’t buckle when the going gets rough.
2. Stress-Relieving: Like life, steel can accumulate stress. And if you don’t deal with that, it can cause problems later on. Elmax steel gets treated for two hours at 650°C to release those stressors. It’s like a therapy session for the steel.
3. Hardening: After the first two steps, the steel needs to toughen up. Elmax goes through a process called austenitizing. In simpler terms, it’s heated to between 1050 and 1100°C to get that rock-solid toughness we’re looking for.
4. Tempering: You want strength without brittleness, right? Tempering is what makes Elmax strong and flexible. They temper it at 250°C for two hours, and if they go longer, you get even more toughness at the cost of some hardness.
5. Quenching: This is the final step, folks, where the steel is heated and rapidly cooled. Elmax is quenched in saline water, locking in all those incredible properties like hardness and durability.

The Magic Composition of Elmax

Now, I’m no chemist, but let’s talk about what makes Elmax tick. Its composition is why this steel is so phenomenal.

• Carbon (1.70%): This gives it that great edge retention and just the right amount of hardness.
• Chromium (18%): It’s the secret to its corrosion resistance, folks. And, let’s not forget, Chromium makes the steel hard.
• Molybdenum (1%): It’s all about toughness and strength here. Elmax has more Molybdenum than most, making it incredibly resilient.
• Vanadium (3%): This is what boosts hardness and wear resistance. It’s what keeps that knife edge sharp and ready for action.
• Manganese 0.3%  Manganese is a  alloy that is added to most knife steels to increase the hardness. 
• Silicon 0.80%  Another common element added to steel to help in the heat treatment.

Let’s talk performance. Here’s what you’re getting with Elmax Steel:

• Hardness: At 58 HRC on the Rockwell scale, if you watch our Youtube show you are now cupping your hand into the letter “C”, this steel is more than tough enough for any job you throw at it, whether it's in the kitchen or out in the wilderness.
• Toughness: Elmax is one of the toughest steels around. It’s not going to break or chip easily, making it perfect for outdoor knives, survival tools, and anything you need when the chips are down.
• Edge Retention: This is where Elmax shines. Thanks to its high carbide volume, it holds an edge like no other. You’ll hardly ever need to sharpen it.
• Ease of Sharpening: Now, this is one area where Elmax isn’t perfect. It takes a little more work to sharpen, but the trade-off is that you won’t need to do it often.
• Corrosion Resistance: With 18% chromium, this steel doesn’t rust. It’s great for high-humidity environments or coastal areas. Clean it, dry it, and it’ll stay rust-free.

Is Elmax Good for Knives?

Is it good for knives? Are you kidding? It’s one of the best. Elmax gives you the durability, strength, and edge retention you want in a knife. Whether you’re chopping veggies or venturing into the wild, this steel can handle it all.  Currently Vosteed Cutlery makes the most Elmax Steel Knives at the Best Price.  The Vosteed Ankylo is our BEST Bang for the Buck.

The Final Word

Listen, if you’re in the market for a knife that’s not just good but exceptional—one that will last for decades—then Elmax Steel is the way to go. It’s got everything you need: corrosion resistance, toughness, impact strength, and edge retention. Elmax Steel is a no-brainer. It’s premium, and like I always say, you get what you pay for. So don’t hesitate—invest in a knife made from Elmax Steel, and you’ll never need to buy another one again. But we know you will!