ZDP-189? What's so special?

[INFRNL]

I haven't had much time to use my ZDP yet. but I am trying to better educate myself between all the different metals.

I guess it all boils down to what each individual actually uses the knives for. As mentioned it will change depending on how its used.

[Evil D]

I haven't had much time to use my ZDP yet. but I am trying to better educate myself between all the different metals.

I guess it all boils down to what each individual actually uses the knives for. As mentioned it will change depending on how its used.

That's what it all boils down to. If your knife lives at a desk and opens mail and cuts the occasional loose thread off your polo shirt, then you can probably live a happy life with 440A and never know what you're missing. It all comes down to what you use the knife for.

It's the same thing with cars...not everyone needs a big 4wd stump pulling truck, not everyone needs a 500hp sports car, but at the same time not everyone is happy driving a Prius. Not to sound like a prick but the reality is if someone really has to ask why an exotic steel is better, then chances are they just don't use knives in a manner that it would matter to them, and there's nothing wrong with that...different strokes (steels) for different folks.

[SolidState]

I just got turned onto ZDP about 4 months ago with a Caly 3. I loved the knife because of edge retention. It holds a 30 degree edge with moderate usage for about two weeks before I need to do my 2-day touchup on my VG-10 at 40 degrees.

That said, sharpening had to be done completely differently. I have to take a lot of time with it, and it is worth the effort. I have been using a zdp delica for the last month as my EDC, and I love it. I just got an endura. I paid less for the endura, $70, than I did for my delica - $80. I could have gotten a deal had I been more patient.

[JNewell]

Seems contradictory, and it probably is, but that's what I've seen with my own knives.

Agree. ZDP does not pigeonhole well.

[SQSAR]

That's what it all boils down to. If your knife lives at a desk and opens mail and cuts the occasional loose thread off your polo shirt, then you can probably live a happy life with 440A and never know what you're missing. It all comes down to what you use the knife for.

It's the same thing with cars...not everyone needs a big 4wd stump pulling truck, not everyone needs a 500hp sports car, but at the same time not everyone is happy driving a Prius. Not to sound like a prick but the reality is if someone really has to ask why an exotic steel is better, then chances are they just don't use knives in a manner that it would matter to them, and there's nothing wrong with that...different strokes (steels) for different folks.

I agree with what you are saying in spirit knife Bro. However, there is the possibility that there's a guy who uses a knife hard, and appropriately, but just doesn't know that there is a world beyond 440A. I think for this type of guy, , once they discover the nuances of what different steels bring to the table, then a whole new world is opened up for them. And once this happens, there is no putting the genie back in the bottle. I guess what I 'm saying is, while I think your logic is spot on, , ,maybe we need to keep in mind that there are newcomers to the knife world every day, and I for one need to kind of remind myself of this. Now of course there's the idiot who's ignorant to the finer things available in blades, but also uses his blade as a pry-bar , screwdriver, ,etc, etc, , , and for this guy, I suspect there's no hope.

[INFRNL]

I am not good at using the search features on forums for some reason. Is there a thread here about the different steels or members prefered steels? If there is something along these lines can someone point me in the right direction? Thanks

I am a newcomer myself and have a lot to learn; However I do not make threads quite like this. I try to do as much homework I can and I also buy the varieties to try and figure it out myself. Lately its been tough cause I do not actually need to use my knives everyday.
Every since I started my knife binge, I have made excuses to try the knives on things just to use them. Mostly letter opening, cutting up some boxes, misc.

I can tell you though that I feel a difference when opening mail between the different knives/steels. Granted they all have factory edges, but I can tell at how easy they push cut or what not.

One of my Favorites so far is M390 but thats from a different manufacturer. Of course blade design/size has a key role in some of this as well.

Thanks, I'm learning from many people here daily!

[chuck_roxas45]

Yeh, I know a guy who's really hard on his gear. He doesn't know from s*** about nice steels. He's LEO and he goes through gear like we go through cheese. When I showed a few knives, and described qualities without matching prices, he picked toughness each time over edge holding.

[CrimsonTideShooter]

Yeh, I know a guy who's really hard on his gear. He doesn't know from s*** about nice steels. He's LEO and he goes through gear like we go through cheese. When I showed a few knives, and described qualities without matching prices, he picked toughness each time over edge holding.

Yeah I think toughness is the most important trait for the NKP. They want a knife that they can beat on and it not break.

In my experience, most NKP don't even know about "edge retention." They just think that all steels perform about the same.

[Evil D]

I agree with what you are saying in spirit knife Bro. However, there is the possibility that there's a guy who uses a knife hard, and appropriately, but just doesn't know that there is a world beyond 440A. I think for this type of guy, , once they discover the nuances of what different steels bring to the table, then a whole new world is opened up for them. And once this happens, there is no putting the genie back in the bottle. I guess what I 'm saying is, while I think your logic is spot on, , ,maybe we need to keep in mind that there are newcomers to the knife world every day, and I for one need to kind of remind myself of this. Now of course there's the idiot who's ignorant to the finer things available in blades, but also uses his blade as a pry-bar , screwdriver, ,etc, etc, , , and for this guy, I suspect there's no hope.

Yeah i almost typed in there "except for the guy who just doesn't know any better" but i figured that was a given. I know i was one of those guys not long ago. Two years ago i didn't know one steel from the next, but i knew..."this knife holds an edge way better than that one, i'm not sure why but it does".

[chuck_roxas45]

Yeah I think toughness is the most important trait for the NKP. They want a knife that they can beat on and it not break.

In my experience, most NKP don't even know about "edge retention." They just think that all steels perform about the same.

Oh yeh, I definitely agree. I did have to explain to him that "supersteel" doesn't mean indestructible.

[Blerv]

If the NPK has no mechanical empathy the best knife is a cheap one. Something like a Byrd Flight or even a thicker tip. Tough steels (and alloys) are often non-stainless so people who rust up 8Cr13Mov and such might have a problem.

Most my NPK friends are mechanically inclined car guys. They may not fully understand the edge but they take care of tools.

I would like to see a value folder in a tough non-stainless. A Byrd in 1075 for example, maybe 1095 ground thick. Dealers could ship them with a Tuf Glide cloth or a disclaimer sheet. Great for our friends with hooves .

[SuzieQ]

Just don't let it go too far...once it is dull, it can take quite a bit of extra work to get it back to hair whittling sharp. Even a little stropping on cardboard is a good idea just to maintain the edge and not let it get dull to the point where you NEED to sharpen it.

Good to know. I'll be careful not to let it become too dull. Thanks.

[Chris_H]

I am not good at using the search features on forums for some reason. Is there a thread here about the different steels or members prefered steels? If there is something along these lines can someone point me in the right direction? Thanks

A search would just lead you to the same things you see in this thread. The favorite(s) of a forumite or a group of forumites varies with the experience level, steel characteristics (i.e., edge retention, or toughness, or corrosion resistance), cost, environment.

For me, it is one of the unique aspects of Spyderco to push the development and use of various steels (and handle materials for that matter) for mass-manufactured knives and with relatively reasonable prices.

[dj moonbat]

In my experience, most NKP don't even know about "edge retention." They just think that all steels perform about the same.

Most NKP don't know "sharp," so how would they know when it's gone?

[Spook410]

I don't think very many people limit their knife use to cutting a thread or two.

Examples of some normal everyday non-kitchen knife use that most of us probably do:

- Open hard plastic packaging or cut hard plastic bands on large packages
- Open paper/plastic containers (pet food, charcoal, wood pellets)
- Cut cardboard for recycling or other purposes
- Inside home maintenance. Scrape, trim, gouge, mark, carve, cut. Wood, sheet rock, dried paint, caulk, plastic, copper wire.
- Same for outside home maintenance tossing in the yard
- Lots of stuff I'm not thinking of right now

Do you have to have a great steel for these types of activities? Probably not. Is it nice and useful and will you see the improved performance over time versus lesser steels? Certainly.

[Blerv]

People sometimes think you only pick up edge retention. Most makers these days like to deliver a sharp product out of the box.

Without mentioning the specific folder or brand, it came blisteringly sharp in AUS8 (like Spydie sharp). Great designer, nice lockup, for about $30. The only problem is either the specific HT of the AUS8 was off or the secondary bevel was sharpened too thin. That "scary" edge would literally burr if you looked at it wrong. Back on the Sharpmaker it returned to it's glory quickly, then again with the burr and dulling.

Ankerson has said once you get used to the super steels and thin edges it's hard to go back. I can see why. Not specifically a "steel snob" myself, I can notice a difference between the two in question at factory angles (which are quite thin). VG10 is a great steel and better than most out there but it's up against very stiff competition, especially for you mirror polishing psychopaths.

[dj moonbat]

My introduction to good steel came about the time I was moving into a new house. Lots of boxes to break down for the curbside recycling bin. The idea that I could expect a knife to have a good edge even after breaking down several thick cartons was completely new to me.