Why so little high-end Japanese Stainless?
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Why so little high-end Japanese Stainless?
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.
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.
- Connor
"What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
"What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
- bearfacedkiller
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Re: Why so little high-end Japanese Stainless?
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?
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?
-Darby
sal wrote:Knife afi's are pretty far out, steel junky's more so, but "edge junky's" are just nuts. :p
SpyderEdgeForever wrote: Also, do you think a kangaroo would eat a bowl of spagetti with sauce if someone offered it to them?
Re: Why so little high-end Japanese Stainless?
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Re: Why so little high-end Japanese Stainless?
^ Ha!
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- steelcity16
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Re: Why so little high-end Japanese Stainless?
bearfacedkiller wrote: ↑Thu Aug 16, 2018 7:49 pmI 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!
CRU-CARTA THE SEKI MODELS! AND BRING US THE DODO-FLY!
Re: Why so little high-end Japanese Stainless?
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.
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.
Re: Why so little high-end Japanese Stainless?
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.
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Re: Why so little high-end Japanese Stainless?
I Pray Heaven to Bestow The Best of Blessing on THIS HOUSE, and on ALL that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under This Roof! (John Adams regarding the White House)
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Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King--
Else, wherefore born?" (Tennyson)
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Spydernation 0050
Follow the Christ, the King,
Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King--
Else, wherefore born?" (Tennyson)
NRA Life Member
Spydernation 0050
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Re: Why so little high-end Japanese Stainless?
Hey, I resemble that remark!
I Pray Heaven to Bestow The Best of Blessing on THIS HOUSE, and on ALL that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under This Roof! (John Adams regarding the White House)
Follow the Christ, the King,
Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King--
Else, wherefore born?" (Tennyson)
NRA Life Member
Spydernation 0050
Follow the Christ, the King,
Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King--
Else, wherefore born?" (Tennyson)
NRA Life Member
Spydernation 0050
Re: Why so little high-end Japanese Stainless?
Sorry, Doc. You and Bloke are bad influences. :D
- best wishes, Jazz.
Re: Why so little high-end Japanese Stainless?
https://youtu.be/LP2VePiNwg4
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Re: Why so little high-end Japanese Stainless?
For keeping the prices good for my of their knives,VG10 is a good choice.
Re: Why so little high-end Japanese Stainless?
There's ZDP-189 which is very stainless and even more awesome!
Can you find it and can it cut? :eek:
Re: Why so little high-end Japanese Stainless?
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
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Re: Why so little high-end Japanese Stainless?
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.
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.
-Darby
sal wrote:Knife afi's are pretty far out, steel junky's more so, but "edge junky's" are just nuts. :p
SpyderEdgeForever wrote: Also, do you think a kangaroo would eat a bowl of spagetti with sauce if someone offered it to them?
Re: Why so little high-end Japanese Stainless?
20% chromium makes it just as stainless even if the extra carbon hurts a little. SG2 has less chromium and less carbon so maybe.bearfacedkiller wrote: ↑Sat Aug 18, 2018 11:59 amI 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.
Can you find it and can it cut? :eek: