Calypso Jr.(zdp 189) Vs Tk4 (sgps)

[buendia]

These knives represent(ed) one of the cheapest ways (each knife is about $100), in which you can put your dirty hands on these two crazy pieces of steel.
There`s just a thin layer of ZDP 189 & SGPS (Super Gold Powder Steel) inside each blade, as they are both crazy laminates, designed probably to keep the production cost as low as possible.

CALYPSO JR. >>> ZDP 189 (edge steel) "hardness measures high on the Rockwell scale" says Spyderco; it has also 3,00% C, 20,00% Cr (the rest of ingredients is maybe Hitachi Corp.`s secret).

U2,TK4 or TK3(de luxe version) >>> SGPS (edge steel) 62 HRC ; C - 1.40 Si - 0.50 Mn - 0.40 P - 0.030 Cr - 15.00 Mo - 2.80 S - 0.030 V - 2.00

They are similar to each other in more than this - they both have ca 7 cm (2 7/8'') long, "V profile" blades, and weigh ca 50g (1,8oz.).

They are two visually quite different styles, but in both cases the quality of production, materials used and ultra light construction make them one of the most wickedest out there in the Babylon.

Now the question:
"Since ZDP-189 has become somewhat more popular with SPYDERCO CALYPSO Jr. I wonder if anyone in this forum can tell us the difference between ZDP-189 and SGPS in terms of edge retention, toughness, and rust resistence? Anyone who have been lucky enough to own knives in these steels?"
"MUNCH", KNIFEFORUMS.COM

PS Comparison to tool steels such as D2, O1 or M2 would be also very interesting.


I am lucky owner of TK4 folder. I compared it to 440C and 1095 and they had no chances, because SGPS is much, much better. I abused it quite a lot in summer - a lot of trout, wood, plastic bottles and food without any resharpening (I forgot it at home). A friend of mine tested if there are any
dents after hitting it several times against Opinel blade (and there were exactly seven of them). I, while cutting some belt, cut really hard a concrete garage floor. There were another dents ( small ), but still I could gut any trout in just 3, fast cuts.


Manufacturers` photos & information:

http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=190
http://www.fallkniven.com/tk/us-tk3-4.htm

 

[DGG]

I can't comment about the differences but both appear to be very very very good pieces of cutlery. I have the Calypso but not long enough to really comment much about it except that so far so good. I like the "blood red" color of it's scales.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

I am lucky owner of TK4 folder. I compared it to 440C and 1095 and they had no chances, because SGPS is much, much better.

Which 440C and 1095 knives, and how was the performance superior?

-Cliff

 

[buendia]

440C is in Mauser made by Victorinox, 1095 is in my 2 cheap, working knives.
Of these two, 1095 holds the edge better. I`ve made my comparisons on cutting big amounts of cardboard. As a pure cardboard cutter, TK4`s blade is in disadvantage as being more than twice thicker than the rest. Nevertheless,
at the end of the test Fallkniven held its shaving abilities, and all the rest was blunt.

Calypso Jr.s in ZDP-189 are sold out so where are any comparisons?

 

[Danbo]

440C is in Mauser made by Victorinox

Doubtful if the steel used in the Mauser Victorinox is 440C; more likely 440A.

 

[Franco G]

The hardness of the ZDP-189 (Calypso jr.) is HRC 64/65.

I have a ZDP-Caly jr. and the Fallkniven U2, the last one being the laminated SGPS.

Cannot say about the difference (didn't make tests), but I would expect a ZDP-189 to be 'better' due to the higher carbon content and higher hardness.

Both folders are incredible.