Elmax vs M398 Knife Steel Comparison

Elmax vs. M398: A Comprehensive Look at Two Powder-Metallurgy “Super Steels”

Below is a comprehensive look at two popular powder-metallurgy “super steels” that have knife enthusiasts buzzing: Elmax and M398. From their chemical makeup to real-world performance, we’ll explore how they compare and which might best suit your needs. Whether you’re into bushcraft, everyday carry (EDC), culinary tasks, or simply enjoy collecting high-performance blades, this deep dive will help you understand each steel’s strengths and weaknesses.

To enhance your reading experience and cover more ground on these steels, we’ve expanded the content with additional insights on edge geometry, usage data, extra FAQs, and SEO-friendly headings. Read on to decide which steel aligns best with your cutting style and maintenance preferences.

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Table of Contents

1. Elmax Steel Overview
2. M398 Steel Overview
3. Detailed Alloy Element Effects
4. Heat-Treatment Nuances and Forging
5. Patina Formation and Protective Coatings
6. Key Performance Comparisons
7. Real-World Applications
8. Ease of Sharpening and Maintenance
9. Ideal Uses and Why Pick Each
10. Cost, Availability, and Market Reputation
11. Pros and Cons
12. Summary and Recommendations
13. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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1. Elmax Steel Overview

Elmax is a powdered metallurgy steel produced by Uddeholm (a brand under Böhler-Uddeholm). It is known for its balanced combination of high wear resistance, good toughness, and respectable corrosion resistance.

• Chemical Composition (approx.):

  • Carbon: ~1.7%
  • Chromium: ~18%
  • Manganese: ~0.3%
  • Molybdenum: ~1%
  • Silicon: ~0.8%
  • Vanadium: ~3%

• Typical Hardness (Rockwell C): 58–62 HRC

  • Practical Implication: Elmax is often hardened in the low 60s HRC range, which brings out a good balance of edge retention, toughness, and sharpenability.

• Key Performance Characteristics:

  • Corrosion Resistance: 8 (High) – Excellent for most outdoor applications and culinary use.
  • Toughness: 4 (Moderate-Low) – Sufficient for many cutting tasks, though not the toughest steel available.
  • Edge Retention: 6 (Above Average) – Maintains a keen edge longer than more common stainless steels.
  • Ease of Sharpening: 6 (Above Average) – Not too difficult compared to other “super steels.”

Additional Note on Usage:
Though rated moderate in toughness, Elmax can handle light prying, batoning, or bushcraft tasks without significant issues, provided the edge geometry is well-chosen (e.g., slightly thicker behind the edge).

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2. M398 Steel Overview

M398 is a newer powder-metallurgy steel from Böhler, intended to push wear resistance (and thus edge retention) even further than the already renowned M390. It has extra-high carbon and vanadium levels, creating an ultra-hard matrix packed with wear-resistant carbides.

• Chemical Composition (approx.):

  • Carbon: ~2.7%
  • Chromium: ~20%
  • Manganese: ~0.5%
  • Molybdenum: ~1%
  • Silicon: ~0.5%
  • Tungsten: ~0.7%
  • Vanadium: ~7.2%

• Typical Hardness (Rockwell C): 60–64+ HRC

  • Practical Implication: M398 can achieve very high hardness levels. When run at the higher end (62–64 HRC), it offers extreme wear resistance but reduced toughness.

• Key Performance Characteristics (Likely Range):

  • Corrosion Resistance: ~8–9 (Comparable to M390’s high stainless properties).
  • Toughness: ~3 (Lower than Elmax). Brittleness can increase at higher HRC.
  • Edge Retention: ~9 (Excellent). Among the best in the stainless category.
  • Ease of Sharpening: ~3 (More Challenging). Diamond or CBN stones are almost mandatory.

Additional Note on Usage:
Given its lower toughness, M398 is typically recommended for cutting tasks that don’t involve repeated impact or prying. Edge geometry also plays a critical role; a slightly thicker edge or micro-bevel can mitigate chipping.

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3. Detailed Alloy Element Effects

Understanding each element’s role clarifies why these steels perform the way they do:

• Carbon (C):
  Increases strength, hardness, and wear resistance. M398’s higher carbon (2.7%) gives it superior wear resistance but can reduce overall toughness.

• Chromium (Cr):
  Provides corrosion resistance and contributes to carbide formation. Both steels have elevated chromium levels (18% Elmax, 20% M398) for true stainless performance.

• Vanadium (V):
  Boosts wear resistance and refines grain structure. M398’s high vanadium content (~7.2%) drastically increases abrasion resistance but can make sharpening more difficult.

• Molybdenum (Mo):
  Increases hardenability and improves high-temperature strength. Both have around 1% Mo, helping with overall strength.

• Tungsten (W):
  Present in M398 (~0.7%) for extra wear resistance and hardness. Not present in Elmax.

• Manganese (Mn) & Silicon (Si):
  Aid in deoxidation and contribute slightly to hardness and tensile strength. Both steels have moderate amounts, fairly typical in advanced stainless alloys.

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4. Heat-Treatment Nuances and Forging

• Elmax:

  • Generally easier to heat-treat compared to some other super steels. Achieving 58–62 HRC is straightforward with recommended protocols.
  • Warping or cracking risk is moderate. Adhering to best practices (preheating, controlled cooling, correct quench) minimizes issues.

• M398:

  • Requires precise heat treatment to avoid undue brittleness. Extremely high carbon and vanadium make forging tricky.
  • Overheating can lead to grain growth; under-tempering can risk chipping. Knife makers typically rely on vacuum furnaces and specialized equipment to bring out the best hardness-toughness balance.

Neither steel is particularly prone to forming a patina due to their high chromium content, which effectively places them in the stainless category. Thus, protective coatings are generally optional for corrosion resistance.

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5. Patina Formation and Protective Coatings

• Patina Formation:
  With chromium levels at 18% (Elmax) and 20% (M398), both steels resist patina formation under normal conditions. Patinas generally develop on “carbon steels” (like O1) or “semi-stainless steels” (like 3V).

• Protective Coatings:
  Typically not required for corrosion resistance. Some users opt for DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) or PVD coatings to reduce glare or for aesthetic reasons. These coatings can add surface hardness or a unique look but are not a necessity for rust prevention.

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6. Key Performance Comparisons

Below is a quick-reference comparison table highlighting how each steel typically ranks in major performance categories (on a scale of 1–10, with 10 the highest). Keep in mind exact performance depends on heat treatment and edge geometry.

PERFORMANCE FACTOR	ELMAX	M398
Corrosion Resistance	8	~8–9
Toughness	4	~3
Edge Retention	6	~9
Ease of Sharpening	6	~3
Typical HRC Range	58–62	60–64+

Notes:

• M398’s numbers reflect approximate industry consensus, albeit actual results vary with heat-treatment specifics.
• Both are stainless, but M398’s higher chromium potentially offers a slight advantage in corrosion resistance under harsh conditions.
• A finer edge geometry on M398 can yield phenomenal slicing performance but could be more prone to micro-chipping under heavy stress.

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7. Real-World Applications

• Bushcraft and Survival:

  • Elmax offers a better balance of toughness and ease of maintenance. It’s more forgiving for light batoning or prying.
  • M398 can handle slicing tasks well but may micro-chip if subjected to repeated impact.

• Everyday Carry (EDC):

  • M398 is ideal for repeated cutting of abrasive materials (cardboard, rope, rubber). You’ll do fewer sharpenings.
  • Elmax remains a solid all-around EDC performer, easier to touch up and less prone to chipping.

• Kitchen Use:

  • Both steels are sufficiently stainless for typical kitchen environments.
  • M398 stays sharp for an impressively long time but can be tedious to re-sharpen.
  • Elmax is more forgiving and less demanding to maintain.

• Survival or Tactical:

  • Elmax might be more reliable for repeated hard impacts, while still boasting good edge retention.
  • M398 means fewer sharpenings in the field but requires more advanced tools or greater skill if it does need repair.

• Collector’s Pieces:

  • Elmax is well-known and widely respected.
  • M398 is rarer and commands attention among enthusiasts looking for the latest in extreme edge retention.

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8. Ease of Sharpening and Maintenance

• Elmax:

  • Moderate hardness allows it to be sharpened with quality whetstones (aluminum oxide or ceramic).
  • Diamond stones speed up the process for heavily dulled or damaged edges.

• M398:

  • The abundance of vanadium carbides severely slows sharpening on conventional stones.
  • Diamond or CBN stones are recommended, and a guided system helps keep angles consistent.

Routine Care:

• Wiping the blade clean, oiling pivots (for folders), and ensuring the edge is dry before storage are typically enough to keep either steel in good shape.
• Neither is prone to staining, so maintenance primarily revolves around preserving a keen edge.

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9. Ideal Uses and Why Pick Each

• Elmax:

  • Ideal For: Users wanting a reliable all-rounder with high corrosion resistance and moderate toughness. Excellent for bushcraft, EDC, hunting, or kitchen knives.
  • Why Pick Elmax Over Other Steels? It’s known for its balanced properties, straightforward maintenance, and reduced risk of chipping compared to ultra-hard steels.

• M398:

  • Ideal For: Tasks demanding extreme wear resistance—heavy cardboard slicing, rope cutting, or repeated fine slicing.
  • Why Pick M398 Over Other Steels? Its wear resistance surpasses many other high-end steels (like M390), making it a top choice if you detest frequent sharpening or deal with very abrasive cutting media.

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10. Cost, Availability, and Market Reputation

• Cost:

  • Both steels are premium. Elmax is somewhat more common; thus, it might be slightly cheaper.
  • M398 is specialized and less available, often leading to higher prices.

• Availability:

  • Elmax is widely used by custom blade makers and well-known production knife brands.
  • M398 is still rarer; you may have to look for custom projects or limited-edition runs.

• Market Reputation:

  • Elmax has a strong reputation for reliable balanced performance.
  • M398 is garnering hype as an “ultra-edge-retention steel,” with the caveat of more challenging sharpening and potentially lower toughness.

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11. Pros and Cons

Elmax Pros

• High corrosion resistance, great for humid or wet environments.
• Good edge retention balanced with moderate toughness.
• Easier to sharpen than many other super steels.
• Well-known, widely available, and priced more competitively than some newer steels.

Elmax Cons

• Not the absolute best in any single category (edge retention or toughness).
• Overlooked by some enthusiasts seeking the newest “ultra” steels.

M398 Pros

• Exceptional edge retention, rivaling or exceeding M390.
• High level of corrosion resistance.
• Desirable for heavy slicing tasks or anyone seeking minimal sharpening intervals.

M398 Cons

• Lower toughness than Elmax; more prone to micro-chipping if misused.
• More difficult to sharpen, almost requiring diamond abrasives.
• Less common and often pricier.

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12. Summary and Recommendations

• Which Steel is Best for Durability?

  • If “durability” implies toughness under impact, Elmax has the edge due to its more moderate hardness and carbide content.

• Which Offers the Best Balance for Everyday Use?

  • Elmax is arguably the better all-around choice. It’s easier to sharpen, more forgiving under stress, and still delivers strong corrosion resistance.

• Which Delivers the Longest Lasting Edge?

  • M398 excels at edge retention, thanks to its ultra-high carbon/vanadium content. If you frequently slice abrasive materials or prefer to sharpen less often, M398 is ideal.

Ultimately, choosing between Elmax and M398 hinges on your priorities:

• Elmax if you want a more balanced performer with easier maintenance.
• M398 if you crave top-tier edge retention and don’t mind a steeper sharpening curve.

Either way, both steels represent cutting-edge powdered metallurgy. Understanding their compositions, heat treatments, and real-world behavior will guide you toward the right steel for your needs.

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13. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How does M398 compare to M390?
A: M398 was designed to offer even greater wear resistance by boosting carbon and vanadium levels. While M390 has a more balanced toughness-to-wear ratio, M398 leans heavily into the “longest-lasting edge” category.

Q: Is Elmax easier to sharpen than M390?
A: Many users find Elmax slightly easier due to fewer carbides. However, both are still premium steels that require good sharpening stones.

Q: Can I use standard whetstones for M398?
A: You can, but progress will be very slow. Diamond or CBN stones are strongly recommended for efficient material removal due to M398’s high vanadium carbide content.

Q: Which steel is better for large fixed blades used in chopping or batoning?
A: Elmax is safer because it has higher apparent toughness. M398’s brittleness at high hardness can be risky for heavily impacting tasks.

Q: Are there any special coating considerations for either steel?
A: Both are highly stainless. Coatings like DLC or PVD are mostly for aesthetics or glare reduction rather than corrosion prevention.

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SEO Tips & Closing Thoughts

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In the end, both Elmax and M398 are stellar choices within the realm of stainless “super steels.” Tailor your pick to your cutting style, environment, and sharpening preferences, and you’ll be rewarded with a knife that performs admirably for years to come.