A year in the pocket...FRN Stretch II ZDP

[Gotsouthern]

Well, as they say it seems like only yesterday, but a year has passed since I received my Strech II ZDP-189 with the dark blue FRN handles. As I recall it was one of those rare knives, in that it came sharp enough that a mere stropping was sufficient for it to make its way to my pocket. I knew just from pics I was gonna love it, but it truly exceeded my expectations when I finally laid a hand on it.

About 6 weeks into the deal I couldn't stand it anymore and finally introduced it to my Dia-sharps, getting it to roughly 30 deg inclusive. It was an astoundingly sharp knife when it came off the last strop. Hell, it was tree topping at 600 grit lol. To say I was I was again impressed puts it mildly.

I would say it would take, on average, a solid 3-4 mos for me to dull it enough for a touch up. That's a solid 30 or so percent longer than any of my previous knives w/ various other high end steels. And I just earlier today finally had to rework the bevel on it from my XC stone on up. It was my exclusive EDC knife for the entire year, and because of the blade shape actually caught quite its share of kitchen duty. Any of the various times I found myself cooking at a friend or relatives house and no sharp knife was available, it certainly did the trick. I never put it to any real hard core torture tests, there are some scratches on the blade but they are shallow and few. I have to say overall it's been my favorite folder so far. Really no complaints.

However I have to admit that it's about to have to start sharing. This Christmas's crop included a Gayle Bradley and a BM 556 in M390. See you guys about those in a year or so

 

[powernoodle]

We all know what a Stretch looks like, but I wouldn't mind seeing a pic of this baby if you have one.

:thumbup:

 

[DennisStrickland]

the stretch is a compact package , actually i like it better than my endura ffg zdp. the bradley is somewhat heavier & thicker but the m4 alloy will cut even longer than the zdp. also the bradley is smoother in operation.

 

[mlanghornes]

I may have to snag a stretch eventually, but I did grab a delica in zdp-189, and its absolutely astounding. GREAT attention to grinds and angles from the factory, it sharpens up easily at 30 inclusive on the sharpmaker, and its kicked everything else out of my pocket for quite some time. I totally agree about the impressiveness of zdp, its my first "super steel" (if you don't count s30v), and I think its definitely head and shoulders above the rest.

 

[DennisStrickland]

stretch on left & endura on right
although the endura in vg10 has about 1/4 in. more blade the stretch in zdp has a much more sturdy construction. however the stretch costs almost triple the endura. of course the zdp is much more durable in cutting ability. you may notice the tiny dimples on the knife tangs--both these knives were rockwell tested before formites tested them on sisal for edge abrasion qualities.
dennis

 

[mdc5162]

However I have to admit that it's about to have to start sharing. This Christmas's crop included a Gayle Bradley and a BM 556 in M390. See you guys about those in a year or so

I would love to see what your opinion is on the Bradley compared to the stretch. I have heard nothing but good about the stretch but it just doesnt do it for me aesthetically and I rather not spend that much money on a knife I dont like the looks of.

 

[arty]

I wonder how ZDP 189 would do for fishing? Has anyone used it for fishing or hunting?
I know that the steel is not as rust resistant as other stainless steels, but I wondered about how well the edge would hold up to hard use - you go through bones and scales when using it for fishing.

 

[DennisStrickland]

last year i took a endura zdp to my brothers ranch & used it to cut thru several 1000 lb. bales of hay. these are held together with a poly net & these bales were older so much mud & grit was encountered. i had relieved the bevel so the endura had a fine thin edge. i experienced no chipping but of course this type cutting dulls any knife rapidly since the mud is so abrasive. for skinning & flesh cutting i think zdp would be fine but cutting thru larger fish bones would probably chip the edge. hopefully some members that have tried zdp on filleting fish will chime in.
dennis

 

[xavierdoc]

I wonder how ZDP 189 would do for fishing? Has anyone used it for fishing or hunting?
I know that the steel is not as rust resistant as other stainless steels, but I wondered about how well the edge would hold up to hard use - you go through bones and scales when using it for fishing.

I did a side-by-side comparison of a Stretch CF/ZDP189 versus an Endura VG10 (Sabre grind) on a couple of deer:

Each knife did one deer, start-to-finish (field-to-freezer )

Taking off the legs, head and butchering the deer inevitably means contact with bone along the way:

I had no chipping with either knife and the ZDP was much sharper at the end (though both were pretty good.)

I must write-up the review as I photographed and video'd it specifically. Both knives had also done some wood and rabbit.

I wouldn't be worried about fish bones but corrosion might be more of an issue.

My Stretches have seen a lot of salty blood but have no patina or pitting:

This is no guarantee of how it would hold up to salt water, though.

Why not just get an H1 knife: faster to dull/faster to sharpen...

Or get both

 

[DennisStrickland]

xavierdoc great pics & fantastic review. we need more of these knife pics being used in the field. we call those axis deer in texas , were brought in for game ranches but many escaped & we see them ever so often.do you live in new zealand?
dennis

 

[xavierdoc]

xavierdoc great pics & fantastic review. we need more of these knife pics being used in the field. we call those axis deer in texas , were brought in for game ranches but many escaped & we see them ever so often.do you live in new zealand?
dennis

These are Fallow deer (Dama dama) in England (where I live.) The antlers of mature males are distinctively flattened (palmate). We have six species of deer in the UK (only 2 were originally native) but none called Axis.

 

[DennisStrickland]

thanks xavierdoc for the info --i believe many of us thought these were axis deer . i have been calling the all white deer [an exotic to tex ] fallow deer.i thought all the fish in english oceans were cod.did you also do a test on the spydie mule in m4 ?
dennis

 

[xavierdoc]

thanks xavierdoc for the info --i believe many of us thought these were axis deer . i have been calling the all white deer [an exotic to tex ] fallow deer.i thought all the fish in english oceans were cod.did you also do a test on the spydie mule in m4 ?
dennis

I wrote up my experiences of the ZDP189 and CPMS35VN mules here. (You saw this thread at the time.)

I've also been testing the VG10 Damascus, CTS BD-1 and Super Blue mules, though I haven't written a review yet.

Sadly, I never got a CPM-M4 or 52100 mule. I'd like to have had a chance to try all the mules but those 2 are top of my "must get" list :grumpy:

 

[arty]

I wrote up my experiences of the ZDP189 and CPMS35VN mules here. (You saw this thread at the time.)

I've also been testing the VG10 Damascus, CTS BD-1 and Super Blue mules, though I haven't written a review yet.

Sadly, I never got a CPM-M4 or 52100 mule. I'd like to have had a chance to try all the mules but those 2 are top of my "must get" list :grumpy:

The ZDP189 looks like it is a fine steel, and tougher than I would have thought.
I used to have a Remington 700 ADL in 243 Win. that would do sub 1" groups with Sierra target loads. Groups ran an 1" to 1.25" for a variety of handloads. It was poor with any factory load I tried - all big game loads. I found that the heavier the bullet, the larger the groups @ 100 yds. I liked 3031 for target loads - but it has been a long time since I have done any target shooting with a rifle.
I regret selling that gun to a friend.

 

[xavierdoc]

The ZDP189 looks like it is a fine steel, and tougher than I would have thought.

Some people had problems with the "overbaked" ZDP mules (although I think the final problem wasn't the HT but the steel batch itself?) Mine is retired to kitchen duties as I have plenty of beaters. I wouldn't call this particular manifestation of ZDP "tough" but as you say, perhaps better than expected. I think ZDP makes a great pocket knife blade.

It was poor with any factory load I tried - all big game loads. I found that the heavier the bullet, the larger the groups @ 100 yds.

Mine is great with 100gr homeloads but any bullets above 105gr are unstable: the barrel just has the wrong twist rate.