Kershaw Blur: S30V or Elmax?

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evert67

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Oct 22, 2011
Messages
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I've got a Kershaw Blur. Josh (RazorEdgeKnives) has modified it for me to remove the recurve and it is now my EDC, I love it!

I was thinking of getting another Blur (the one I have now is in my pocket all the time, but I'd also like to have one lying in the house). I noticed they are now also made in Elmax. Is there anyone who has experience with Elmax. Most important for me is edge retention. Does Elmax have a better edge retention than S30V? Or are there any even better Blurs?

Thanks!
 
Edge retention on the Elmax may be slightly better, but it's not going to be a drastic difference. I've found Elmax to be a little easier to touch up on my Sharpmaker as well. I believe there is a composite-blade Blur with ZDP-189 cutting edge, which may have the highest edge retention. The Blur I use most is one with a CPM-154 blade, which in my experience is comparable to the Elmax and S30V ones. I've never tried one of the ZDP Blurs.
 
Blind taste test I doubt I could tell the difference between the two. Elmax is better on paper, but like many steels, I suspect it would take a custom maker with a pretty tightly controlled heat treat to tease all that performance out of it. I'd recommend either the one that's cheaper or the one you think looks cooler.
 
Coke or Pepsi
Nike or Reebok

Very similar performing steels, and Kershaw did a good job on both from my experience...

I prefer Elmax, but again, very close...
IMO, elmax takes and hold a fine edge better
Is a bit easier to touch up...

s30v holds its working edge longer once the fine edge is gone.
ELMAX might resist rust a bit better with higher chromium content, s30v might be a bit tougher with added tungsten and higher molybednum? Haven't experienced any issues with either in those departments though.

End of the day both hold an edge extremely well compared to the standard grade steels, and are great upgrades.

I like the look of the brown handle of the ELMAX better then the standard black s30v, but the blue handled s30v models are quite sharp looking as well...

Either will serve you well, Flip a coin, or buy both!
 
Elmax should hold an edge longer, and it's tougher. S30V is still excellent, and takes less time to sharpen in my experience. However, you'd have to use both rather hard to tell a difference in toughness, and you'd have to do a high volume of similar cutting in a short time to really notice any difference in edge retention. If the handles are different colors to differentiate them get the one that looks best to you.
 
I have the Leek and ZT0561 in Elmax and they seems to hold their edges just a little longer than my S30V PM2 and Military. It's a very insignificant difference, though.
 
I only have the s30v blur and I'm pretty happy with it. And the recurve is actually pretty easy to sharpen on the sharpmaker.
 
I have a couple in Elmax and I really like them, as well as my other knives in Elmax. To me it is easier to touch up than s30v but ymmv. For some reason or other I tend to have more issues sharpening s30v than most other knife steels but that is just me and my freehand abilities. Elmax does seem to respond really well to a strop for most of my touchups.
 
I use my ZT 566 BW Elmax, and its help up pretty good, you should download Knife Steel Chart app for your phone, you can compare elmax and s30v
 
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