• The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
    Price is $300 $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
    Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.

  • Today marks the 24th anniversary of 9/11. I pray that this nation does not forget the loss of lives from this horrible event. Yesterday conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was murdered, and I worry about what is to come. Please love one another and your family in these trying times - Spark

How good is spydercos VG-10

M

Mr Krieg

Joined
Feb 3, 2014
Messages
218
I have never used the steel before so idk how it performs
What do you like about it? What do you not like about it?

I've been looking at getting a dragonfly and I'm not sure if I should get the g-10 version in VG-10 or if I should get the zytel version in zdp-189

Also experiences and likes about the dragonfly help too

Pictures always welcome if you have them :)
 
Mr Krieg said:
Do you think it's worth it to go for the zdp version or is VG-10 just a better deal?
Click to expand...

Depends on two things, your needs and your sharpening skill. If you need to cut a lot in one setting without access to sharpening tools, then ZDP might be the way to go. A smaller factor but still a factor nonetheless is your sharpening skill. ZDP is a bit more difficult to work with than VG-10.

Now needs and wants is an entirely different thing. :D
 
As singularity said, ZDP-189 is a bit more difficult to sharpen than VG-10. The way I see it, while it hold an edge longer, it takes longer to resharpen, so there's little or no real time saving unless you're doing so much cutting every day that VG-10 requires you to stop what you're doing to sharpen it. ZDP-189 is also less rust resistant which may, or may not, be of importance to you. Personally, if a knife I like is only available in ZDP, I might carry it anyway, but if both steels are available, I'll choose the VG-10 version.
 
Don't own either steels unfortunately but my understanding is their 2 very different steels in how they behave. The VG-10 is often thought of as being easier to sharpen as it's less wear resistant in nature which makes it so you don't have to be as consistent over a long period of time in holding a consistent angle while sharpening when compared to the ZDP-189 which makes is one of the reasons why it's easier to sharpen. If you're using a guided setup this is less of a concern, preferably with diamond stones if you're using the ZDP-189 as diamonds are very aggressive in their abrasive qualities.

Personally I think the difference in handle material will be more important for comfort as G10 and Zytel is drastically different in feel in my opinion. I have a strong preference for Zytel over G10 but at times it seems like I stand alone in that regard. If you need extreme wear resistance get the ZDP-189, otherwise base your decision on what you think is more comfortable for you as they are both good steels with a good heat treat.

As a side note you can always use a strop to keep your knife sharp in between sharpenings. It doesn't even have to be expensive, I use flexcut gold on some paper wrapped around my sharpening stone and strop on that. I just mark up the bevels to make sure I am hitting it at the proper angle and it works extremely well.
 
Mr Krieg said:
I have never used the steel before so idk how it performs
Click to expand...
I am using Spydercos with VG10 blades since 2006 and never had a problem with any of them. It is a nice steel. With proper sharpening skills you will be able to achieve very nice edge and and it will holds quite well. You do not need diamond stones to reprofile or repair, but it is always good to have them. By the way, what steels did you experience?
 
For my 2 cents I prefer the FRN scales & the VG-10 blade steel

For me the 1.2 oz weight is a key factor

The G10 & the Carbon fiber add to much weight to this little power house

But I have to admit that I would like to try the new Super Blue :D


 
ZDP is harder to sharpen but I like the steel better. There's nothing wrong with VG-10 though, it's a fantastic steel and it sharpens well. But if you're into all the crazy steels and you have sharpening knowledge, get the ZDP, you'll appreciate it. But if you don't enjoy sharpening, get VG-10 and save yourself the frustration!
 
Most of my experience involves s30v, s35vn and 154cm, but being as tho I have never had a higher quality steel I think I'm going to go for the zdp-189 version
 
Agreed w/Singularity & Deacon, I convex & strop frequently, every 3-4 days...only takes 6-8 passes w/my homemade strop. One side is suede & "skin-side" leather & second side has mouse-pad glued down (whole thing is 18" w/4 "stations") & that side is Levi's 501 denim on mouse pad. So, all that said...I LOVE-ME some VG-10, very easy to "work with"/sharpen, & very rust resistant, & pretty-damn hard too...both Spydercos (Endura, Delica) I took to work (VG-10) & put on the macine came back Rc 60...not too shabby! I own same knives in ZDP & Re-profiling w/convex??? Lets say it felt like an exercise in futility! That stuff's GOTTA be around Rc64-65?!? If you strop..ZDP is good, if you dont & prefer not dealing with strop/steel very often? VG-10 would be my call....good luck! I Think that either way? You cant really lose...
 
RICKSTER said:
For my 2 cents I prefer the FRN scales & the VG-10 blade steel

For me the 1.2 oz weight is a key factor

The G10 & the Carbon fiber add to much weight to this little power house

But I have to admit that I would like to try the new Super Blue :D

i just found some of the super blue ones in stock, message me and I can tell you the place
Click to expand...
 
i was thinking a solid zdp blade, screw construction and full liners would be a perfect combination for me. but for some reason, i gravitate towards the vg-10 g-10 version.
 
I'm amazed by the design! It carries so thin and the ergonomics are amazing, like an extension of my hand. The build, fit and finish, are typical of a high end knife! It is my new edc. I will be hard pressed to beat this one, but of course I'm going to try. Maybe a pm2 in a month or so. I'm in love! Don't tell the wife!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top