Why so little high-end Japanese Stainless?

[The Meat man]

We've seen a lot of terrific tool steels come out of Seki City recently, but virtually no stainless steel. Certainly nothing to match S90V, S110V, M390, and the like.

Why is this? Is it because of cost? Seems like the Japanese should be able to keep up with the Americans and Europeans when it comes to stainless knife steels, yet the only Japanese SS offered by Spyderco are VG-10 and ZDP-189.

I would love to see a Japanese response to S110V or M390.

[bearfacedkiller]

I assume cost. We clamored for SG2/R2 and then the price of that Delica was high. I have a Gyuto in R2 and it wasn’t too expensive though? That is a steel in the XHP to S30V range. The ZDP knives are not cheap. I assume that the steels are out there but Spyderco has to make a business decision when trying to bring them to market.

It also likely has to do with what the makers are willing to work with. I am not sure if they are pushing the envelope like US makers are?

I wonder if SRS15 will happen? SLD Magic is supposed to be sort of like D2 and there are some kitchen knives coming out of Japan in it too? Maybe we will see it?

[Bloke]

I would love to see a Japanese response ...

あなたの人々が狂っています

[Sharp Guy]

^ Ha!

[steelcity16]

I assume cost. We clamored for SG2/R2 and then the price of that Delica was high. I have a Gyuto in R2 and it wasn’t too expensive though? That is a steel in the XHP to S30V range. The ZDP knives are not cheap. I assume that the steels are out there but Spyderco has to make a business decision when trying to bring them to market.

It also likely has to do with what the makers are willing to work with. I am not sure if they are pushing the envelope like US makers are?

I wonder if SRS15 will happen? SLD Magic is supposed to be sort of like D2 and there are some kitchen knives coming out of Japan in it too? Maybe we will see it?

The next full sprint run from Seki NEEDS to be solid SRS15! I will buy multiples of every model!

[JD Spydo]

You know I've wondered about that myself. It amazes me that we haven't seen some of the high end Japan models be offered in newer/better blade steels. There was that brief period where HAP 40 got everyone's attention but it seemed to be short-lived. Hopefully we won't be stuck with VG-10 for the next 10 years>> you would think that we are probably even overdue for another steel to replace VG-10 in the near future.

But with the GOLDEN Spyders ( especially the C-36 Military model) has had a flood of newer/better blade steels being offered by Crucible, Carpenter, Bohler ect. But other than that brief time with HAP-40 I don't recall many special offers in newer/better blade steels in the Japan made Spyder line up.

[Jazz]

あなたの人々が狂っています

I like what it says. :p

[Daveho]

^ Ha!

I think you mean...は

[tvenuto]

I think it’s at least in part because people get all worked up over the Japanese steels with relatively basic composition. Why pay more for different formulations of steels that can be gotten cheaper in US models? The obvious answer is that you want that steel in a Japanese made model, but that’s not a broad selling point.

[Doc Dan]

I would love to see a Japanese response ...

あなたの人々が狂っています

私たちはあなたが狂っていると思う

[Jazz]

私たちはあなたが狂っていると思う

自分で話してください博士

[Doc Dan]

私たちはあなたが狂っていると思う

自分で話してください博士

Hey, I resemble that remark!

[Jazz]

Sorry, Doc. You and Bloke are bad influences. :D

[Bloke]

Sorry, Doc. You and Bloke are bad influences. :D

https://youtu.be/LP2VePiNwg4

[Jazz]

Good tune! :D

[snapshot2017]

For keeping the prices good for my of their knives,VG10 is a good choice.

[Crux]

There's ZDP-189 which is very stainless and even more awesome!

[TomAiello]

There's ZDP-189 which is very stainless and even more awesome!

My experience has been that ZDP is "stainless enough" but I know that other people haven't had the same experience. I seem to recall someone with a lot more knowledge than me saying that they didn't think of ZDP as truly stainless.

[bearfacedkiller]

I wouldn't call ZDP very stainless. I have had it patina on my Stretch2 breaking down part of a pig but have since polished it off that knife. Plus, the OP already mentioned ZDP. He was asking why there were not more besides VG10 and ZDP.

We did see a small run of SG2. I wanted it but I didn't like the look, didn't have the funds and I already have two kitchen knives in it.

[Crux]

I wouldn't call ZDP very stainless. I have had it patina on my Stretch2 breaking down part of a pig but have since polished it off that knife. Plus, the OP already mentioned ZDP. He was asking why there were not more besides VG10 and ZDP.

We did see a small run of SG2. I wanted it but I didn't like the look, didn't have the funds and I already have two kitchen knives in it.

20% chromium makes it just as stainless even if the extra carbon hurts a little. SG2 has less chromium and less carbon so maybe.