Delica 4 VG-10 or ZDP 189?

U

Unadan

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May 25, 2019
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Wanting to get my first Delica 4. I see the ZDP version costs about another $20 vs the VG-10 version. Is this steel worth the upgrade in this knife?
 
I prefer VG-10, easier to sharpen everywhere, and hold an edge pretty good, ZDP, MAXAMET and high steels you just wont use or need their max limits, I just bought an Endura and Delica in VG-10.
Have you looked at the Chaparral Lightweight or Para 3 Lightweight, they just are better in every aspect to the Delica
 
I think the price increase is justified for ZDP. Now whether it’s worth it to you is a different story. ZDP is a much harder steel than VG-10 so it’ll take a bit longer to sharpen, like the others have stated, but it’s also more brittle. Hitting a staple when you’re breaking down a box could likely damage the ZDP, while the VG-10 should withstand it much better. With that extra hardness you’ll get an edge that will cut above and beyond what VG-10 can do, though.
 
Unadan said:
Wanting to get my first Delica 4. I see the ZDP version costs about another $20 vs the VG-10 version. Is this steel worth the upgrade in this knife?
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No it's not. Getting your first Delica isn't about the steel. It's about the overall knife and the confidence gained using, maintaining and satisfaction of owning a Delica. Once you've become familiar with the basic model,( which IMO, is one of the best out there) then if you decide it's a keeper, venture off in different steel, handle choices.
 
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I'd get the VG-10. Takes a very nice edge with little work, holds it acceptably well, and doesn't stain easily. ZDP-189 is a great steel, no doubt. But it's noticeably harder to sharpen, unless you have the proper gear. BUT, you shouldn't need to sharpen very often. For the average knife user, I'd recommend VG-10, or even 14c28n, over ZDP-189. Mostly because I prefer my edge to roll a little rather than chip out. And, yes, I have blades in all three steels.
 
ZDP for consistent light-to-medium cutting, VG-10 for anything more strenuous.

If you’re going through cardboard, paper, tape, and thin plastic, ZDP.

VG-10 is similar to 154CM and well-treated 12C27 (IIRC). Good all-around steels that take a keen edge and are relatively easy to maintain. Spyderco probably runs the hardness around 58-60 on those. That means it might roll or bend but is much less likely to chip.

ZDP-189 is a very hard tool steel (not stainless) that has a very high carbon content by comparison. It’s wear resistance is high and Spyderco likely runs the hardness somewhere in the 61-65 range. That means it’s more likely to chip instead of rolling or bending.
 
Grandmaster said:
I prefer VG-10, easier to sharpen everywhere, and hold an edge pretty good, ZDP, MAXAMET and high steels you just wont use or need their max limits, I just bought an Endura and Delica in VG-10.
Have you looked at the Chaparral Lightweight or Para 3 Lightweight, they just are better in every aspect to the Delica
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This. VG10, to me, is the best of ease of sharpening and edge retention.
 
I really like Spyderco's VG-10. I would get the Delica with this steel.

I have their ZDP-189 as well, and have no problem with it. But I'd buy the Delica in VG-10 every time.
 
Unadan said:
Wanting to get my first Delica 4. I see the ZDP version costs about another $20 vs the VG-10 version. Is this steel worth the upgrade in this knife?
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There is a an increase in performance, which would be worth the $20 for certain applications. But like other posters in this thread, I find VG10 to be a more well rounded steel that I prefer for general carry.
 
Yes it does! But not as easily as VG-10, which the OP has already ordered. If the VG-10 doesn't do it for him(I think it will), the ZDP-189 option is always available...
 
Delica in VG-10 is a great one-knife collection for a starter. It's very easy to sharpen, as mentioned by others, while the blade and edge design (flat-ground that is) makes it one of the best slicers available. Basically it's a knife that's fun to use and fun to sharpen.

The ZDP-189 is for the more serious collector, or one with specific requirements for cutting. It wears down even slower than S30V and stays sharp a long time without sharpening. But it's a brittle steel. And while cutting tests show that it wears faster than the high-end vanadium steels in the market, it has one big advantage over those V-steels: you can sharpen ZDP-189 with natural stones, sandpaper, even hone it with white toothpaste on the inner side of your leather belt. No need for ceramic or diamond stones.
 
I think the price increase is justified for ZDP. Now whether it’s worth it to you is a different story.
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This is exactly right ^

FOR ME it is totally worth it. In fact I traded a knife with S110V for my ZDP-189 Endura 4 and am glade I did every time I use it.
The up side is it holds a silly sharp edge longer than S110V (S110V holds a saw tooth "toothy" edge longer than ZDP but I don't care for that edge and prefer a polished edge because I do a lot of push cutting in material that has some abrasive qualities and other edge stability challenging characteristics. S110V can't hang for the type of cutting I do and ZDP can (M4 even more so).

The down side to ZDP, and it is immaterial to me, is it can chip especially while prying away at wire ties. I only cut wire ties with diagonal wire nippers and never my knife.

These are the knives I have in ZDP (and I really like the green handle as a side benefit) :
Ladybug
Dragonfly
Delica 4
Endura 4

PS: it is NOT hard to sharpen at all as long as one pursues the information on how to do it and buys appropriate sharpening stones. Which is part of the fun / part of the hobby.
 
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