Caly 3 ZDP question

[5.56]

Pardon my ignorance here but can someone explain what "laminated ZDP-189/420J2" means?

Why is it laminated and not solid zdp-189?

thx in advance

 

[LosGatos]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the ZDP is laminated with the 420 for several reasons. On a flat grind like the Caly3, the ZDP can hold an edge very well. The other reason is it's laminated probably has to do with the tooling needed to make the blade. I think they are stamped and ZDP is very hard. There's a possiblity it could ruin the stamping parts.

 

[yablanowitz]

The maker that does the Caly Jr/ Caly3 series does not have the laser cutter required to cut blade blanks out of solid ZDP-189 stock. Their cutting system can handle the 420J2/ZDP laminate, so that is what they use. Either way, you get the ZDP cutting edge.

 

[5.56]

Thanks guys:thumbup:

Next question

In the picture below of the ZDP Caly there is a horizontal line running along the blade, does this have anything to do with the lamination?

Also, wouldn't it be possible to eventually sharpen and wear away the ZDP laminate leaving the 420J2 exposed?

 

[enkidu]

Thanks guys:thumbup:

Next question

In the picture below of the ZDP Caly there is a horizontal line running along the blade, does this have anything to do with the lamination?

Also, wouldn't it be possible to eventually sharpen and wear away the ZDP laminate leaving the 420J2 exposed?

I don't think so. The layers are like a ham sandwich, the bread is 420, the ham is ZDP.

       420:420:420:420:420
spine  ZDP:ZDP:ZDP:ZDP:ZDP:ZDP:ZDP:ZDP   edge
       420:420:420:420:420

The ZDP is exposed when the blade is ground. The ZDP will last as long as the blade does. And unless you're aggressively re-sharpening w/ diamonds every day of the week, the blade should outlast you (barring any huge jump in medical technology ).

 

[The Deacon]

I don't think so. The layers are like a ham sandwich, the bread is 420, the ham is ZDP

Exactly.

Pic below is of the thumb ramp of a ZDP Calypso Jr. You can clearly see the center core of ZDP between the outer layers of 420J2...

...you can see the same thing if you look down on the spine of the Caly 3.

Paul

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[zenheretic]

I could be totally off base on this, but IIRC zdp wasn't exactly well known, inexpensive, or easy to obtain in quantities large enough to do a test run. Along with production limitations, I believe the lamination examples of ZDP were due to those limitations as well. Once it was shown ZDP was worth selling, along with greater manufacturing capabilities and ZDP availability, wholestock ZDP blades were made.

 

[antonio_luiz]

My first knife was a 3-layer Gerber. The marketing hype then was that 3-layer blades with the harder steel in the centre have the advantage of good edged retention while protected by the less brittle outer layers, which add toughness to the knife so it is less likely to break. Sometimes it's also to protect a high carbon steel between layers of stainless to reduce rust.

Kershaw & Cold Steel also have several 3-layer or san-mai models, and scandi knives like Fallkniven & Helle are usually 3-layer

 

[zenheretic]

One endearing quality of Spyderco is the profound lack of hype. Trying to find some of their adds is like searching for a rare Spyderco.

 

[yablanowitz]

I could be totally off base on this, but IIRC zdp wasn't exactly well known, inexpensive, or easy to obtain in quantities large enough to do a test run. Along with production limitations, I believe the lamination examples of ZDP were due to those limitations as well. Once it was shown ZDP was worth selling, along with greater manufacturing capabilities and ZDP availability, wholestock ZDP blades were made.

Maybe in part, but the laminated Caly3 came out after the solid ZDP Delica. When we asked Sal why, he told us the Delica maker had the laser cutters needed to cut solid ZDP and the Caly maker didn't.

 

[sawyersam]

I bought one of the first ZDP Calys that came with the sandwich blade and I prefer it over the solid ZDP Delica. The Caly is easier to sharpen and I feel the sandwich design is stronger. It was my EDC until I found the Kershaw Leek.

 

[Maribor]

Here is a link to a Japanese company that produces Laminated steel. http://www.e-tokko.com/eng_index.htm Here you can see how it is made. I got the link from somewhere on these forums (credit to someone else). I know Fallkniven Knife company laminates there steel. With a little research you will find it is a good method for producing knives (albeit with its own controversy). I don't believe there is a Spyderco that would EVER wear out quick. But that is just one mans humble opinion.