Any zdp 189 fans out there?

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deerhunterp

Joined
Dec 27, 2008
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125
How hard is it to sharpen one of these blades? i have experience with 154cm VG 10. how much harder will ZDP 189 blades be? :cool:
 
If you feel pretty good about sharpening freehand with VG-10, then you shouldn't have any more problem with ZDP-189 if you have some diamond stones.

Natural stones like Arkansas will take a lot of time if you let the knife get dull. I use those only as the final polishing of a sharp edge, not to sharpen a dull blade.

I had trouble at first, but it was only due to my impatience. This impatience led to me adding too much extra pressure which is never a good thing.

Just sharpen it as you normally would VG-10, except allow for more time. Using extra-fine DMT stones to maintain the edge should give good results.
 
Same here. More difficult than other alloys, especially after 64HRC, but I've seen other steels that are harder to sharpen than ZDP 189. I go all the way to 0.25mic diamond abrasive, stays sharp very long time...
 
YES! Huge fan right here.

ZDP may take slightly longer depending on the grind but otherwise I've noted no significant difference compared to other higher end steels. I use 11" Norton Crystolon and India stones as well as the ceramic stones on the Sharpmaker.
 
After getting my Kershaw Blur Composite Blade ZDP-189/Sandvik, I am a big fan of it. As far as sharpening it, my DMT Aligner Deluxe Diamond set makes quick work of sharpening it. The hardest part is the recurve but the material itself is not as bad as I was expecting it to be to sharpen.
 
It will sharpen on ceramics fine too. My sharpmaker fines make touchup a breeze. I like the stuff for small blades.
 
ZDP is no where close to VG-10 in sharpening, its much harder/time consuming. Diamonds work great on ZDP but I feel that it is best finished with a 8000 grit or better waterstone. ZDP takes a exceptional polish from waterstones and surprisingly they cut the steel fairly fast.
 
I'm a big fan of ZDP-189. It's honestly not hard at all (for me at least) to sharpen, and I suspect that many of its detractors are folks who have little to know personal experience with it. Takes one of the scariest edges I've seen, too. ;)
 
One of the best steels I've used. I've put some of my best edges on ZDP189 blades.
 
I found that the best results came from using a sharpmaker with very light pressure. Don't push the blade at all, just let it ride down. Another note: Touching up is much easier then resharpening. Give it a couple swipes every day is better then having to spend a half hour every two weeks.
 
I have been EDC'ing a Delica with ZDP 189 for about two years. It holds an edge very well. Sharpening takes slightly longer than other hard steels.
 
Big fan here too.I have no problem sharpening it with diamond stones(DMT).Ceramic is much longer.
 
+1 the best steel ever in my book

tough, but enjoyable to sharpen with lansky system.

found a great way to "strop" without leather - once you are down to the fine stone all the way across the edge (use marker), put some toothpaste on the diamond and go 1 stroke per side for a while, will polish the edge right up!
 
The only weakness I've discovered using ZDP-189 blades is that it is not a very corrosion resistant steel. Especially with food acids. Tomatoes and other high acid foods will do a bad number on it unless you rinse it with fresh water immediately after use.

Other than that I've had no problem at all with my ZDP-189 blades. It has a really grippy edge which will open up hide when skinning game animals with the greatest of ease. It maintains holds an edge very well too even under very adverse and harsh conditions.

I will admit that it does require the use of diamond abrasives for serious reprofiling. But once you have it reprofiled you can use Spyderco's ceramic stones to do the final finished edge.

It's premium blade steel and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. JD
 
It's a great steel that holds an edge a good long time. It really isn't all that much harder to sharpen; it just takes about 3 times as long as VG-10. If you maintain it and don't let it get dull, it isn't too much trouble.
 
If you have a good diamond stone, sharpening should be fine. It might take a little longer than other premium steels, but not too bad. It is much better to not let it get dull, though, but that's a suggestion for any premium steel done at a higher RC (I'd say 60+).

I'm not sure why I don't get much discoloration on my Delica/Endura ZDP blades, but my Lum Chinese ZDPs sure seemed to develop a stain quickly. They didn't develop rust or pitting, just seemed to stain a little. Other than that, I think ZDP-189 is probably the best SS (For edge holding) for a folder that's available in a production knife.

There might be some better steels out there, but not one that's readily available for production knives.
 
I use a Kershaw Shallot with the composite blade. The ZDP holds an edge for a long time. I touch it up on the ceramic rods from time to time and it really has never given me a problem.
 
Ive got a FRN Stretch and a Mule in ZDP (intend to expand that collection over time). Haven't touched the Mule (going to Mr. Krein for handles as soon as my rear end unpuckers from Christmas) But I've worked over the Stretch on Dia-sharps and it did wonderfully. Polished out to .25 micron, arguably the sharpest knife I own currently. If you are used to non-stainless steels, its a near-perfect EDC steel if you ask me. M4 is the only other competitor to it in my mind, and of course its not much for stain resistance either.
 
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