Elmax vs MagnaCut

In this article, we will be looking at the differences between MagnaCut steel and Elmax steel in their performance as knife steels. 

Both are two premium powder metallurgy stainless steels suitable for knifemaking applications where a combination of high wear resistance, corrosion resistance, toughness, and edge retention are needed.

They have some similarities but also key differences in composition, microstructure, and resulting properties.

While both are premium steels, MagnaCut achieves better toughness, corrosion resistance, grindability, and hardness compared to Elmax.

MagnaCut was designed to improve upon Elmax and other steels through adjustments in composition. By reducing chromium and eliminating chromium carbides from the microstructure, MagnaCut achieves a better balance of properties compared to other knife steels.

MagnaCut vs Elmax Steel Differences At A Glance

I recommend this Hogue Deka MagnaCut knife it is optimally treated for best edge retention and toughness

Composition

Hardness

Hardness is an important property for knife steels, as it contributes to edge retention and edge stability. Elmax, with its high chromium carbide content, can reach a Rockwell hardness of about 60-61 HRC on good heat treatment. 

CPM MagnaCut, on the other hand, was designed to eliminate embrittling chromium carbides and utilizes fine niobium and vanadium carbides instead. This allows MagnaCut to achieve a Rockwell hardness of over 64 HRC, significantly higher than Elmax. 

While both steels have good hardness, the ability to reach over 64 HRC hardness is a key improvement of MagnaCut over Elmax. This gives MagnaCut an advantage for very thin and acute edges needing high hardness for edge stability. 

Toughness

Toughness is crucial for knives that undergo impacts or abusive cutting. MagnaCut has lower chromium (10.7%) and its microstructure consists of fine vanadium and niobium carbides with no chromium carbides.

With only fine vanadium and niobium carbides, MagnaCut achieves toughness nearly double that of Elmax. Tests show MagnaCut has toughness similar to CPM-4V, a benchmark non-stainless grade.

This significantly higher toughness gives MagnaCut better resistance to chipping and cracking, especially important in larger knives and tools meant for prying or chopping.

Elmax is a high chromium (18%) stainless steel that forms coarse chromium carbides in its microstructure. It has decent toughness but is lower than most non-stainless steel.

The coarse chromium carbides present in Elmax deteriorate toughness as they are brittle. MagnaCut was engineered to match non-stainless grades in toughness by eliminating chromium carbides. 

The lack of brittle chromium carbides in MagnaCut provides a clear toughness advantage over Elmax. This makes MagnaCut better suited for hard use in more demanding applications.

Edge Retention

Edge retention is vital for knives to maintain sharpness. Both Elmax and MagnaCut have good edge retention thanks to high volumes of carbides.

Elmax, with its higher overall alloy content, has slightly better edge retention and wear resistance than MagnaCut. Testing shows Elmax outperforms MagnaCut in pure abrasion resistance.

However, MagnaCut can be heat treated to higher hardness levels which improves edge stability. MagnaCut’s superior toughness allows for thinner, more acute edges that slice better and resist micro-fracturing. 

So while Elmax maintains a minor edge retention advantage in controlled tests, MagnaCut’s balanced properties provide outstanding real-world cutting ability and edge holding. For most cutting tasks, the difference in wear resistance between the two steels is negligible.

Though Elmax retains a slight edge in abrasion resistance, MagnaCut’s well-rounded capabilities make it perform equally well in retaining an edge through extended use.

Corrosion Resistance

Both MagnaCut and Elmax steel are stainless steel, with good corrosion resistance against rusting elements like moisture.

However, MagnaCut has significantly better corrosion resistance than Elmax, with its corrosion resistance performance close to Nitrogen steel types like Vanax and LC200N. 

According to Dr. Larrin Thomas, MagnaCut stainless steel achieves excellent corrosion resistance by eliminating chromium carbides in its matrix.

In a recent release, Spyderco, a prominent knife company, announced the incorporation of MagnaCut steel into their elite Salt Series knives.

This decision was informed by rigorous in-house testing conducted by the company, revealing that MagnaCut not only met but exceeded their high standards for corrosion resistance.

Ease of Sharpening

CPM MagnaCut stands out for its user-friendly sharpening when compared to Elmax Steel. MagnaCut boasts an exceptionally fine microstructure, making grinding, finishing, and sharpening significantly easier to sharpen than Elmax.

The fine carbides in MagnaCut, are easy to deburr and result in a keen edge that responds exceptionally well to stropping.

On the flip side, Elmax blade steel features coarse chromium-rich carbides, hindering abrasion during grinding and sharpening processes.

In my experience, I’ve found that MagnaCut knives not only sharpen more effortlessly than Elmax knives but also outperform other budget blade steels like CPM-154 in sharpening capabilities. 

Price

Elmax is categorized as a premium knife steel and typically commands a higher price compared to MagnaCut knife steel. Knives made from Elmax blade steel cost USD 250 or more while most Magnacut knives range between USD 150 to USD 200. 

MagnaCut steel, not only offers a more balanced approach but also outperforms Elmax steel, all while being more budget-friendly.

This makes MagnaCut an attractive option for those seeking both superior performance and a more economical choice compared to Elmax.

The pricing is however subject to change as MagnaCut is still a new steel that is slowly gaining popularity. When more knife users include it in their series of knives the price might go higher.

Final Thoughts on Elmax vs MagnaCut

In summary, Elmax and MagnaCut are two premium powder metallurgy stainless steels suitable for knifemaking applications where a combination of wear resistance, toughness, and corrosion resistance are needed.

Of the two steels, I would recommend choosing MagnaCut over Elmax. MagnaCut is considered the superior steel, designed to enhance upon Elmax through adjustments in composition and formulation.

By reducing chromium and eliminating chromium carbides from the microstructure, MagnaCut achieves better toughness, corrosion resistance, grindability, and potential hardness compared to Elmax.

Elmax utilizes high chromium content to form hard chromium carbides for wear resistance. This also hinders toughness and corrosion resistance.

MagnaCut takes a different approach by substituting niobium and minimizing chromium carbides. The result is a fine carbide microstructure with high-hardness carbides without the embrittling chromium carbides.

MagnaCut matches non-stainless grades in toughness and exceeds Elmax in corrosion resistance. The lack of chromium carbides also enables MagnaCut to reach higher hardness levels than Elmax.