Looking for the perfect EDC

Excellent knife but I suspect ZDP-189 a bit daunting to sharpen for any knife newcomer. I'd suggest getting a few natural Arkansa stones of around 400 and 800 grit (higher is finer/removes less steel and polishes the edge a bit more), some sandpaper, and get an Opinel or SAK or Douk Douk and a full flat grind Delica/Stretch/Griptilian/etc in VG-10/154CM and practice sharpening as you use them. Note that the stones come in small double-sided portable forms too.

That way you will find out if you prefer "toothy" edges at lower grits, medium, or really polished edges for your work.

If toughness is what you really want, the Spyderco Air is pretty darn small and more of a gent's folder. I'd get a Spydero Gayle Bradley instead.
 
By not sharp enough, do you mean the factory edge is not suitable? this whole thing about a Sebenza not being sharp enough is the most ridiculous thing I have seen today. I can assure the factory edge on your Sebenza will perform more that adequately for any cutting task...unless your trying to split skin cells or something (which again sounds ridiculous).

Any knife you buy will eventually get dull, you have two options. but a harder steel that will hold an edge longer but be more difficult to sharpen when the time comes. or a softer steel that does not hold an edge as well but be very easily sharpened.

Blade geometry is also a big factor. With the hollow grind on the Sebenza 21, S35VN performs very well. Chris Reeves uses this steel because it maintains a working edge for a very long time but is not impossible to sharpen without an expensive sharpening system (like a Wicked Edge Pro).

Do yourself a favor and get the Sebenza and know you own the best made production folder you can get. If you want it to stay wicked sharp, get an edge pro or wicked edge sharpening system and polish your edge to a mirror finish.
 
Last edited:
The perfect EDC is different for everyone, and even changes with age. When younger I needed a more 'stout' blade which was capable of much abuse. Now since I've retired a small gentleman's knife is all I require. Even between individuals it varies with their lifestyle and activities. I currently carry either my Spiderco Air PE, or Spiderco Kiwi.
 
Shaggy DA said:
With all this said, what is the sharpest knife any of you have ever owned and what steel is the blade made of? What type of grind is on it (I do understand blade geometry)? What was your method of sharpening it?
Click to expand...
After everything that has been said you still seem to be under the impression that you can buy "sharpness".

Regardless how sharp any knife is out of the box it will immediately begin to dull with use. Out-of-the-box sharpness is meaningless. One of the sharpest knives I've seen come out of the box was a $12 Rough Rider in plain-Jane 440 steel. You could shave a ant's beard with that thing. But it didn't take long cutting up cardboard before it was as dull as a butter knife.

Stop worrying about the perfect steel, pick a knife you like, and learn to put your own edge on it.
 
I think you would do very well with a Spyderco Endura in ZDP-189. It's still the sharpest knife I've ever owned straight out of the box.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top