s45vn and elmax are the same steel. The difference being s45vn is made in the US. Holds a great edge but not overly tough. Good for a hunting knife but for some people can be tricky to sharpen.
There is a list of good knife steels as long as your arm.
Day in day out 3V is my pick. Holds an edge, tough as nails and not hard to sharpen.
S30V is chippy hard to sharpen shit and thats why you only see it in folders nowadays (short blades so they aren't leveraged or overly abused)
If you get a Ripi (recommended) John will give you advice on what steel to go for.
Bookmarks