Chipping in my ZDP-189 Calypso, Jr.

T.K.C.

T.K.C.

Joined
May 7, 2005
Messages
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I have noticed recently, that there are chips, visible to the naked eye in my Caly, Jr. I have NOT worked this blade hard at all. Yes, it HAS been my EDC (and I sleep wit it.), since it has arrived!! The worst thing I have cut with it has been the rubber that connects new rubber floor mats for a vehicle. They come attached. (The blade through all 4 layers like butter. I thought I was only going through 1 layer, when I was going through all 4 layers!!) Anyway, has anyone noticed your blade chipped?
 
Yes, I also noticed a chip on mine. Just one but visible to the eye. I never cut anything hard either.
 
Could we be now seeing the beginning of a major problem with ZDP-189? I don't see any chipping on mine, but I got mine a bit later than you all I imagine, and I haven't been EDCing it the whole time I've owned it.
 
I didn't buy a ZDP Caly, because at the time spending money on hobbies was out of the question. Not that I didn't want one, cause I still do, but I will watch this issue with great intrest.
 
I wouldn't panic from just a couple of reports. I have not seen wide spread reporting of this problem with ZDP189 yet. William and Henry used it before Spyderco and really S30V has had more reporting of this problem. Of course S30V is more widely used so it may be simply because more of it is out there in the hands of the public. I'd still give the benefit of the doubt to the ZDP steel though. I think it is a pretty good one that will go down in knife history as one of the best ones to come out in recent times, especially for edge keeping. Some of the other superior Japanese steels like the Japanese White and Blue Steels have an occasional chip now and then but it doesn't take away from their performance or reputations as a great steel.

STR
 
I am not panicing. I LOVE ZDP-189! This WON'T keep me from continuing to buy and LOVE ZDP-189!!
 
STR said:
I wouldn't panic from just a couple of reports. I have not seen wide spread reporting of this problem with ZDP189 yet. William and Henry used it before Spyderco and really S30V has had more reporting of this problem. Of course S30V is more widely used so it may be simply because more of it is out there in the hands of the public. I'd still give the benefit of the doubt to the ZDP steel though. I think it is a pretty good one that will go down in knife history as one of the best ones to come out in recent times, especially for edge keeping. Some of the other superior Japanese steels like the Japanese White and Blue Steels have an occasional chip now and then but it doesn't take away from their performance or reputations as a great steel.

STR
Click to expand...
My thoughts, exactly!
 
I would think that even if ZDP-189 is as prone to chipping as S30V (which I not really sure how wide spread it is) that william henry knives would less likely be used in the same way as a spyderco which is cheap in comparrision.
I found that the chipping on a UKPK was sorted with a few light strokes at a greater angle on a very smooth abrasive. IIRC the ZDP-189 spyderco knives have a very acute edge. I guess a bit of playing may be required to find the best angle to sharpen it at with the heat treat used.
 
You think that toothy edges would be much more llikely to chip, but I had to start sharpening my Para with diamond stones because when I finished on Sharpmaker fine or UF the knife would chip badly. Hopefully Im just one of the unlucky ones and that my next Para won't have this problem.
 
Rusty edge that is interesting. I have several S30V bladed knives and, I have noticed my FRN Native is displaying some chipping. I have only cut packages with with it. That means packaging tape and a bit of relatively thin cardboard. Just doesn't seem like it should be enough to chip the blade. To be honest, the chips are better termed "micro-chips" and, I am sure they can be sharpened out. They are small but, readily detectable by running my finger lightly along the blade or, looking closely at it. I am almost afraid to start using my other S30V bladed knives.

The diamond stone idea is worth trying. Thanks for the info.
 
I have been using the sh!t out of my calypso and cant see any wear on it yet. Its just as sharp as when it showed up it seems.
 
Mine is as sharp as the day it arrived too!! It is an amazing little knife!!
 
rnhood said:
Rusty edge that is interesting. I have several S30V bladed knives and, I have noticed my FRN Native is displaying some chipping. I have only cut packages with with it. That means packaging tape and a bit of relatively thin cardboard. Just doesn't seem like it should be enough to chip the blade. To be honest, the chips are better termed "micro-chips" and, I am sure they can be sharpened out. They are small but, readily detectable by running my finger lightly along the blade or, looking closely at it. I am almost afraid to start using my other S30V bladed knives.

The diamond stone idea is worth trying. Thanks for the info.
Click to expand...
My theory on this (just a theory) is that the S30V is so wear resistant that the Sharpmaker ceramic rods are not aggressive enough to remove much steel, so instead they push the burr around weakening the edge. I found the diamond stones to be aggressive enough to remove enough steel and not leave a weak edge. I use a DMT coarse and fine, I am also interested in trying a DMT ultra fine. This is just my guess though, but I have found it to work for my S30V knife.
 
I accidentally dropped my ZDP Caly on a cement floor, blade open! *smacks head for stupidity*

Sure as heck, chipped the edge.

I was able to sharpen and smooth it out quick enough, though.

Man, did that hurt! :thumbdn:
 
So far the two I sent to the relatives stationed in Beautiful Baghdad are as straight as the proverbial arrow. Knock on wood.
 
I decided to test the edge retention on mine by cutting an Amazon.com box into tiny pieces. The edge remained shaving sharp except for a small chip right in the center of the edge. A light touch on the UF rods and stropping have pretty much taken care of it, but it was disturbing.
 
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