Best Delica steel

T

tomsch

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Dec 31, 2004
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My very first one hand opening knife was a very early Delica with the integrated clip. I used and loved that knife for years. Decades later I'm gravitating back to a Delica that I drop into my front pocket. Right now my basic VG10 with custom scale version is kicking my CRK small Insingo out of my pocket. Now I'm looking for the next level of Delica with the best available steel. There is the zdp-189, HAP40, Super Blue, or the upcoming next steel release. Really what is the best upgrade from the basic VG10 makes sense to pursue to build out with custom scales?
 
ZDP would be my pick for the fact it is easy to find and fairly priced I have enjoyed my Delica 4 in VG-10 but contemplating selling it for various reasons but it has been a great knife and the steel has performed great for any standard cutting task.
 
There is/was a run in S30V and then on Mass Drop they ran it in SuperGold they might run that again but will have to wait and the upcoming V-Toku2 is much hyped iirc.
 
Honestly, why do think that a super steel is better than the VG10 you have right now? If you really like the Delica you have now, I'm not sure that you'll find one that you think performs any better.

Just my opinion of course, but stick with what you have and explore some different knives that Spyderco offers.
 
HAP40 is a nice upgrade, but S30V is, as well. ZDP-189 is not a bad choice. It all depends upon what characteristics you value the most.
 
I have Delica's in VG10 , Super Blue , Hap40 , ZDP .
I carry Hap40 everyday , Super Blue occasionally if I'm feeling the need for a change , ZDP not much anymore , but it was my everyday carry for a long time .
The reality is that the Delica platform is a fantastic EDC knife .
Im a fancy pants and can choose what I what I carry on a daily basis , but to be honest the Hap40 is my favourite ( to the extent that I own 3 of them with different handle options )
The next choice for me would be my ZDP because I actually carry and use my Delica's and ZDP is a great user steel .
Super Blue is a great steel and Im very happy to own one , but it is more of a specilist/showoff/fun/something different/talking point type of knife .

Ken
 
tomsch said:
My very first one hand opening knife was a very early Delica with the integrated clip. I used and loved that knife for years. Decades later I'm gravitating back to a Delica that I drop into my front pocket. Right now my basic VG10 with custom scale version is kicking my CRK small Insingo out of my pocket. Now I'm looking for the next level of Delica with the best available steel. There is the zdp-189, HAP40, Super Blue, or the upcoming next steel release. Really what is the best upgrade from the basic VG10 makes sense to pursue to build out with custom scales?
Click to expand...
Define best steel. Most steel is good. But what properties do you want from a steel?
 
Specifically what I'm looking for is a steel, with the correct hardness, that will hold an edge as long as possible between touch-ups. Given the Delica's slicing capability it would be nice to stay at 20dps or lower to take advantage of the FFG. VG10 is not too bad but does need either a strop or a few strokes on the stone ever few days to keep it as sharp as I like.
 
sharp_edge said:
Why? ZDP-189 is easy to get hair-popping sharp on SharpMaker even if it becomes pretty dull.
Click to expand...

If you’re touching the knife up with a sharpmaker easily it is unlikely it ever got really dull. Just from my experience the sharpmaker is not a great tool for serious resharpening. It is great for restoring or touching up an edge.
 
I've very much enjoyed my Delica in ZDP-189. No corrosion issues so far and fantastic wear resistance/edge retention! Only had to touch it up once on the SharpMaker and that only took like 2 minutes to get back to hair-whittling.
 
I just picked up an HAP40 version so I'm excited to compare that steel verses the VG10. BTW I also do touch-ups on a Sharpmaker as a routine but also have a Wicked Edge with the new Gen3 clamp so no steel is really that hard to maintain. I also have water stones for my Japanese kitchen knives that I use every once in a while. In summary ease of sharpening on any steel is really not a problem..... it's more about how long the edge will last in initial sharpness through a good solid working edge before it needs to be sharpened.
 
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