Recommendation? Chaparral LW, ZDP Delica or something else

harronek said:
The ZDP189 Delica is an absolute workhorse of a knife , its annoying at times to hear criticism of it
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Unless I missed it I didn't see any criticism of the Delica or ZDP here. Just people giving other options and perhaps stating other preferences. As I wrote previously, I think what feels right to her is the most important factor. No bad choices here. I own most (maybe all) of them.

(FYI, I'll take ZDP any time. One of my favorite steels, as is XHP.)
 
RipD said:
Unless I missed it I didn't see any criticism of the Delica or ZDP here. Just people giving other options and perhaps stating other preferences. As I wrote previously, I think what feels right to her is the most important factor. No bad choices here. I own most (maybe all) of them.

(FYI, I'll take ZDP any time. One of my favorite steels, as is XHP.)
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Yup. ZDP Delica is a great knife, owned and carried one for quite awhile. I just think the Chap LW is better. ;)
 
We all like what we like. I prefer the Chaparral for several reasons (work in an office, better in pocket for me, slicey....).

However, if I could only carry a ZDP Delica for the rest of my life I'd be fine with it. EDIT: just realized that reads a little negative. I'd be perfectly happy with a ZDP Delica as my only EDC.
 
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harronek said:
The ZDP189 Delica is an absolute workhorse of a knife , its annoying at times to hear criticism of it , often from people who have never carried it for any length of time , or even in some cases never carried it at all.
Because I'm a fancy pants I now carry either a Hap40 or Superblue Delica , but I could and would go back to carrying a ZDP in the blink of an eye and not feel disadvantaged for one second .
Here is a pic of " Old Faithful " which I carried everyday for a very long time .



Ken
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Do you prefer Hap40 over SuperBlue? I’m looking forward to the Wharnie Hap40 Delica sprint.
 
RipD said:
jpm2, what's the issue with XHP (Chaparral) and ZDP? Not challenging, just curious.
No question ZDP can be harder to sharpen. It also takes and keeps an edge like crazy for me.
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I don't find anything hard to sharpen, but some are trickier than others to get a clean finished edge.
Overall, hap40 keeps its edge better than xhp and less prone to damage when the edge is stressed.
I still have a zdp delica (had 2), a dragonfly, and a caly3. I like the steel, keeps its edge well, but have to be careful when stressing it laterally.
The 2 delicas I gave away were to my sister-in-law. She lost the vg10 after a few years, so gave her the zdp.
She's had the zdp for about a year now, and today I sharpened it for the first time. It was not dull and needed very little touching up. By contrast, she was wanting her vg10 version sharpened every couple months.
If the chap came in a steel I prefer, I'd favor it over the delica. If my sage1 came in a steel I prefer, I'd get that and give the s30v away.
Just my opinion based on personal use.
 
I tried a ZDP Delica, but the handle didn’t work for me. After that, I’ve been hesitatant to try another ZDP blade as I gain but have limited experience with sharpening. I just got CBN rods for my Sharpmaker and thus feel better equipped to take on ZDP in the future.

I do like the XHP on my Chaparral and find it pretty easy to maintain. I also like that it’s somewhat rust resistant, moreso than ZDP. But it’s hard to beat ZDP for edge retention.
 
Minh762 said:
Thank you for the feedback. I just wish there is a b&m store in the Houston area that has a good selection of Spydercos for her pick.
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Check gun shops. I did a quick search. Guns of Texas and Carter Country both show a bunch of Spydercos on their web sites. I'd give them a call to see what they stock.
 
I just risked an eBay buy of a zdp Caly 3. Figured the layered zdp is hard to counterfeit.

The chapparal however is way smaller form factor especially when closed. It's still my favorite office folder. So small and thin you forget it's in your pocket and I the ateel liner version. The big finger choil is what makes such a small knife useful.
 
Feedback on the closing of the delica with finger in path of blade. I was able to adjust pivot screw just enough to allow a free 90degree drop. So no more worrying about fingers.
 
RipD said:
Check gun shops. I did a quick search. Guns of Texas and Carter Country both show a bunch of Spydercos on their web sites. I'd give them a call to see what they stock.
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Thanks for looking into this. I called Athena and stopped by Full Armor. They got nothing. Will give GoT and Carter a call.
 
Minh762 said:
I’m looking at the Sage 5 and Para 3 but the drawbacks are the thicker blades, weight and S30V steel. I mean, I’m trying to sell most of my S30V knives and move to at least xhp.
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Try sharpening and stropping S30V with diamonds and thank me later. With and without diamonds it's like two completely different steels. Without diamonds I thought S30V was a completely garbage steel, but with them it acts like a proper super steel.
 
That will make a nice pairing. The Para 3 is easier to close, and the Chaparral is better at slicing things and easier to carry.
 
Minh762 said:
She ended up with a CF/S90V Para 3 and she really loves it. Definitely a fan of the finger choil and will likely to add a LW Chaparral later as well.
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That is awesome! I'm a firm believer that when we (guys) get out of the way our spouses/SOs will often surprise us with their choices. It's all about them having something they like. She has good taste. :)
 
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Minh762 said:
She ended up with a CF/S90V Para 3 and she really loves it. Definitely a fan of the finger choil and will likely to add a LW Chaparral later as well.
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Outstanding!! For sure (as others have said too already) that She loves it, is the important part. Glad to hear she got one she loves and is looking forward to more :thumbsup:

u.w.
 
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