Laminated Zdp-189 vs Zdp-189

ZDP-189 may develop a slight patina over time. The key, as with any steel hardened to R 67 (W-H in my case), is to not let the edge get too dull. I think it's a great steel, but prefer it as a laminate for purely esthetic reasons.
 
I believe I am gonna get the dragonfly in zdp-189, just to have a "pure" zdp knife, then get the caly 3.5 looking at that knife on youtube , I can't believe it has flew under my radar for so long, I have a brand new para 2 in route to me as we speak that may be going on the exchange for a caly 3.5....And that's saying a lot I love the para 2s
 
Allen R. said:
I'm sold on the caly 3.5 and knowing it's thinner behind the edge is even better, Now when i get it and put "my edge" on it , It's gonna be one of the greatest things of all time lol
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Easy does it. I ran a ZDP Delica at a final 20° inclusive and chipped it out hardcore. I'm not super easy on my knives, but its not a $90 letter opener either. ZDP is my least favorite super steel, CTS-204P cuts as aggressively and wears longer, but it also can be honed back on a mug and shave hair. I feel like I have to baby ZDP. Even with its current 36° microbevel.
 
To finish answering the OP's original question... the lower part of the blade below the visible line (a hamon, IIRC) is solid ZDP189. It's edge holding properties will be the same as a solid ZDP189 blade with the same HT. If you want to try a Spyderco with an unlaminated ZDP189 blade, try the ZDP Delica or Endura. They're also flat ground, although the edge & shoulder grinds on them might be a bit different from the Caly series.
 
I'm all confused now....:confused: I may just get a delica or dragonfly and see how I like the steel, and not go big the first time with a new steel, big as in 150.00+for the caly 3.5 and end up hating the steel,or the knife, when I can get a delica for about half that and a dragonfly for a little over a 3rd. Then If I like the steel I may jump on that Caly 3.5.....not having a knife store within 80 miles makes all my purchases a hit or miss kind of situation... I know I love the delica, The endura is ok, I loved my stretch I had as well, but all were vg-10, and from doing some searching It looks like ZDP-189 Is not that super of a super steel , but regardless I'd still like to try it out and see how it compares to m4, m390 cts-204p etc.
 
They make the Caly 3.5 with G-10/VG-10 as well as the carbon fiber/zdp-189 laminate. In case you like the design but can't dig the steel. The carbon fiber handle and wire clip are probably more friendly towards pockets though.
 
TriviaMonster said:
Easy does it. I ran a ZDP Delica at a final 20° inclusive and chipped it out hardcore. I'm not super easy on my knives, but its not a $90 letter opener either. ZDP is my least favorite super steel, CTS-204P cuts as aggressively and wears longer, but it also can be honed back on a mug and shave hair. I feel like I have to baby ZDP. Even with its current 36° microbevel.
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I run my dragonfly at 30º inclusive and have no issues with chipping. 20º inclusive is pushing it with any steel.

Allen R. said:
I'm all confused now....:confused: I may just get a delica or dragonfly and see how I like the steel, and not go big the first time with a new steel, big as in 150.00+for the caly 3.5 and end up hating the steel,or the knife, when I can get a delica for about half that and a dragonfly for a little over a 3rd. Then If I like the steel I may jump on that Caly 3.5.....not having a knife store within 80 miles makes all my purchases a hit or miss kind of situation... I know I love the delica, The endura is ok, I loved my stretch I had as well, but all were vg-10, and from doing some searching It looks like ZDP-189 Is not that super of a super steel , but regardless I'd still like to try it out and see how it compares to m4, m390 cts-204p etc.
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I feel ZDP-189 is on par with M390 or CPM-M4. Maybe slightly less wear resistant, But I'm pretty sure you will be very happy with it. I feel you though, I HATE to feel like I've wasted my hard earned money. I can't see how you won't love the dragonfly2. The little knife that has no idea how small it is. :)
 
Hi Allen, the Stretch ZDP is my most carried/used pocket knife. I highly suggest you start with that or the Delica /Endura ZDP. I own all of the above (Dfly,Manbug, too) and also have the Caly ZDP's. I do wish that they weren't laminated but performance wise they are about the same as the Stretch as they are ground really thin. I would have liked to respond further about the nitty gritty but it's my Bday today I gotta go.

Stretch ZDP... DO IT!
 
Think I'm gonna go dragonfly in zdp then if I like it I'll sell or trade a few knives off and get the Caly in zdp
 
ZDP is sweet steel. I've enjoyed it on quite a few different knives. Out of the knives I own in ZDP-189, my Yunas are the top of the food chain. They are both laminated models and Yun adds an excellent polished convex edge. This edge just stays sharp, and stays sharp, and stays sharp! Convexed ZDP is where it's at.
 
I took a William Henry B-15 folder on a summer camping trip. I carried it in the placket of my shirt (high humidity/slightly salty). The knife had a ZDP-189/420SS laminated blade. I was puzzled when both blade materials developed some surface rust, but the 420 had more rust than the 189. Buy the laminated blade for its toughness not its rust resistance.
 
I highly recommend a Caly in ZDP. I picked up a Caly 3 CF off the exchange recently and have been more impressed with it than any of the many Spyders I've had and loved.
 
The Caly jr, and Jess Horn ZDP sprints were inexpensive, thin bladed, flat ground very high performing knives that originally made many believers for Spyderco. They are some of the best slicing type pocket folders ever made IMO. Both were laminated and around 3 inch. They are both out of production now but I've heard that a run of Caly jr's will come out eventually. If they ever do make more it's a must have if you like ZDP.

Jack, thanks for bringing up the original reason for the laminated blades made by one company, plain ZDP by another. I believe the Super Blue situation is similar. One company used plain Super Blue. The other is using laminated Super blue knives though I don't think not having a laser or water jet cutter is the reason this time. The same company that lasers ZDP in Enduras is using laminated Super blue. I haven't heard any official reasons from Sal yet so I can just guess. Perhaps the foundry had some pre rolled in the right thickness. It is curious though as it is reversed over the ZDP. I believe Super blue can't be stamped/die cut either due to the very high carbon content plus tungsten and would need water jet or Laser.

Joe
 
I have a Caly3 in ZDP.
It is not as thinly ground as my FFG Delica.
It is a nice blade, & I like ZDP189. The only thing that bugs me is the thickness of the spine when slicing something thick enough to reach that far.
 
mtangent said:
I have a Caly3 in ZDP.
It is not as thinly ground as my FFG Delica.
It is a nice blade, & I like ZDP189. The only thing that bugs me is the thickness of the spine when slicing something thick enough to reach that far.
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The delica is 2.5 mm thick and the caly 3 is 3 mm thick. I agree that the spine is unnecessarily thick. The chaparral is 2mm thick, so is the centofante 3. I do not understand why so many spydercos are 3mm at the spine, it seems like overkill.
 
sideways said:
The delica is 2.5 mm thick and the caly 3 is 3 mm thick. I agree that the spine is unnecessarily thick. The chaparral is 2mm thick, so is the centofante 3. I do not understand why so many spydercos are 3mm at the spine, it seems like overkill.
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Agreed , thta's what I was looking for originally a folder under 3mm thick , and all i found was the delica and dragonfly, It would be nice to get a blade over 3 inches in zdp-189 under 3mm thick, Well theres always the regrind option...:D
 
Allen R. said:
Think I'm gonna go dragonfly in zdp then if I like it I'll sell or trade a few knives off and get the Caly in zdp
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I was looking for a comparison between the ZDP versions of the dragonfly and the caly, and stumbled into here. I love the shape of the Dragonfly, a real "little big knife". Just curious how the Caly compares. I carry a PM2, so I'm looking for the thinnest possible, and technically that's the Dragonfly. I'm wondering if the Caly has anything better to offer?
 
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