Elmax steel
Elmax is a powder metallurgy stainless steel from Uddeholm. It rates 7/10 for edge retention, 5/10 for toughness and 8/10 for corrosion resistance, and is usually hardened to 60–62 HRC.
At a glance
- Type
- Powder metallurgy stainless steels
- Hardness
- 60–62 HRC
- Maker
- Uddeholm (voestalpine) (Sweden)
- Process
- PM
- Price tier
- Premium
- Used by
- Zero Tolerance, Microtech, Lionsteel, Kizer, Shirogorov, Reate
- Also called
- ELMAX, Uddeholm Elmax, Bohler-Uddeholm Elmax SuperClean
Composition
| Element | Weight % |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 1.7 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 18 |
| Vanadium (V) | 3 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 1 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.3 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.8 |
Source: manufacturer datasheet. Nominal values; where a range is published, the midpoint is shown. Phosphorus and sulfur, where listed, are maximums.
What makes Elmax behave the way it does
Elmax contains 1.7% carbon, a high level that supports high hardness and a large volume of hard carbides; 18% chromium for corrosion resistance.
Its 3% vanadium forms vanadium carbides, among the hardest carbides in knife steels, which drive wear resistance and slow edge loss but also make the steel slower to sharpen; molybdenum (1%) improves hardenability and pitting resistance.
It is made by powder metallurgy: the alloy is atomised into fine powder and consolidated, which keeps the carbides small and evenly spread. That is what lets a highly alloyed steel stay tough enough for a knife blade.
Knives in Elmax
| Knife | Brand | Blade | Weight | Lock | List price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fällkniven F1x Elmax | Fällkniven | 4.02" | 7.8 oz | — | — | Blade HQ |
| Fällkniven R2 Scout | Fällkniven | 3.15" | 4.7 oz | — | — | Blade HQ |
| Fällkniven U2 Elmax | Fällkniven | 2.52" | 1.6 oz | Lockback | — | Blade HQ |
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How to sharpen Elmax
Elmax is slow to sharpen (4/10). Its vanadium carbides are harder than the aluminium oxide in conventional stones, so diamond or CBN plates cut it far more efficiently. Once sharp, it needs touch-ups less often.
Compare Elmax with
FAQ
Is Elmax a good knife steel?
Elmax is strongest in corrosion resistance (8/10) and weakest in ease of sharpening (4/10). Its average across the four ratings is 6.0/10, and it sits in the premium price tier.
Does Elmax rust?
Not in normal use. Elmax rates 8/10 for corrosion resistance; wipe it dry after contact with salt or acidic food.
Is Elmax hard to sharpen?
Elmax is slow to sharpen (4/10). Its vanadium carbides are harder than the aluminium oxide in conventional stones, so diamond or CBN plates cut it far more efficiently. Once sharp, it needs touch-ups less often.
What hardness is Elmax?
Knives in Elmax are usually hardened to 60–62 HRC. Makers can run it outside that range; harder means better edge retention but lower toughness.