Interesting ZDP-189 Observation

[SaintZe]

I do believe there is such a thing as making a blade "too clean". If someone were to clean their blade with isopropyl alcohol, then leave it dry, I feel like it may be more susceptible to corrosion

Seems to be less correlation in my case- the Dragonfly was a regular user (with matching grime), and I cleaned the Caly 3 thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol before the vinegar bath.

 

[SpeedHoles]

Seems to be less correlation in my case- the Dragonfly was a regular user (with matching grime), and I cleaned the Caly 3 thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol before the vinegar bath.

Haha, well maybe that debunks that idea... but then again, it may go back to the protective patina theory, which the vinegar would have given to your Caly.

 

[fshaw]

Not that I'm out to convince you otherwise, but may come down to your sharpening process or edge finish??

No, I get my knives sharp and finish them as needed for the use at hand. Sprderco's ZPD-189 is the only example of this steel that I've used and for me it definitely didn't live up to the hype.

 

[JD Spydo]

Not that I'm out to convince you otherwise, but may come down to your sharpening process or edge finish??

I tend to agree with Speedholes because I've always had great edge retention with ZDP-189>> however with that being said I will point out that I've always given my ZDP blades a well honed edge rather than just hitting it a few licks with the Sharpmaker. It's one steel that I find using the Ultra-Fine stones either in my Sharpmaker or my 302 Spyderco benchstone really pays off.

Speedholes is right about sharpening ZDP because the more you hone the blade the better it seems to endure. It's one steel that really does well with a smooth, well honed edge. It's not a steel that seems to work good with a "toothy" edge>> and keep in mind it does have some brittle properties to it that many of the other supersteels don't have. Just work it over good with one of Spyderco's Ultra-Fine stones and I think you will see better results IMO.

 

[JD Spydo]

No, I get my knives sharp and finish them as needed for the use at hand. Sprderco's ZPD-189 is the only example of this steel that I've used and for me it definitely didn't live up to the hype.

There is also a possibility of a bad heat treatment. I had a Benchmade model once made of ATS-34 which at the time I got it was touted as a great blade steel. It's still respectable even by today's standards. But I could never get it to hold an edge no matter how well I honed it. I also had an older Spyderco going back to the GIN-1 era ( 1990s) and I couldn't get it to hold an edge no matter what I did. Whereas I had other GIN-1 blades that did very well. So don't rule out the possibility of a bad heat treatment. Even the very best of companies have a problem from time to time.