Need Help - vg-10 or zdp

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newknife

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Jul 6, 2008
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Ready to get an endura... which blade steel is better? VG-10 or zdp?

I've never had either one.
 
VG 10 is good steel. I can't say one way or the other about the ZDP since I have not had a knife with that blade steel. Part of how well a knife holds it edge is how it is sharpened, heat treat etc.. Either steel will serve you well properly maintained.
 
ZDP189 will hold an edge longer and burr less, though it might have a slight disadvantge when it comes to corrosion resistance. I haven't had issues with this myself besides some surface marks that rubbed off, but others have reported corrosion on their ZDP189 they would not expect from a stainless steel.

Personally I like ZDP189 much better because of the edge retention and ease of obtaining very sharp edges due to little burring.

Either way I suggest thinning out the edge of your Endura when you get it, they cut much better than way. I took my ZDP Endura flat to the saber grind and now it looks like a Scandi ground knife. Cuts great.
 
The ZDP is a harder steel and better as far as knife steels go if edge holding is important to you and ZDP can get SUPER sharp. VG-10 is a great "common" steel that gets SUPER sharp as well and is easy to sharpen while holding it's edge reasonably well.

Some of the sharpest knives I have ever held were VG-10. I just started buying some VG10 knives but I have a handful of ZDP knives too.

I'm so anal about keeping my knives sharp I really don't pick steel for edge retention for EDC but I still am compelled to buy the so called super steels anyway. I carry a sharpener, steel and strop with me in my Bug Out bag at all times so my knives get touched up after any major use almost immediately.

I know, I'm a freak!
 
From edge holding point of view ZDP189 is best what we have on the market today and if you consider price - Spyderco just giving this steel away IMHO, so to me there is no really any doubt - get ZDP189 while it is available.

Only problem is that Endura has too thick grind and I had to thin it, so it turns into good cutting tool. From other hand - there is no really other choices...

Thanks, Vassili.
 
Get the Endura with g-10 and a full flat grind in VG-10. Cuts great!
 
I have both and like'em both. ZDP holds an edge longer but is harder to sharpen and it scratches easy. You really need a diamond sharpener to get the sharpening done. VG-10 still holds a good edge, sharpens easy, (I think) more corrosion resistant and doesn't scratch as easy. Oddly enough fingerprints seem to show up more on the ZDP if thats an issue. For EDC, I think I'd have to go with VG-10. If your a true collector though, you have to have some "exotic steel" knives though such as ZDP, D2, blaa blaa...:jerkit:
 
nozh2002 said:
Only problem is that Endura has too thick grind and I had to thin it, so it turns into good cutting tool.

Thanks, Vassili.
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Agreed. I don't have a recent picture but here's an in progress shot of my Endura in ZDP that I turned into a scandi grind.



The ZDP Calypso Jr and Caly 3 both come with thin geometry, but still come a little thick at the edge. They're much quicker to reprofile than the Endura though. I reground my Caly Jr in about 5 minutes, then spent another 5 minutes cleaning up the bevels then applying a hair whittling sharp micro bevel. Great steel, it's my favorite at the moment for an EDC.

 
I've never seen the need to go big bucks for zdp, when VG10 gets sharp quick, stays sharp, and resists corrosion well enough for my uses.
 
Tiny86 said:
The ZDP-189 is better then the VG10. It will hold an edge allot longer.
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That depends on the definition of better. My own experience with ZDP is fairly negative because it is very brittle and I've snapped a couple of tips. If you are easy on it, then it will fine and it does have great edge retention. VG-10 for me.
 
Knife Outlet said:
That depends on the definition of better. My own experience with ZDP is fairly negative because it is very brittle and I've snapped a couple of tips. If you are easy on it, then it will fine and it does have great edge retention. VG-10 for me.
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On My experience - and I use my Yuna ZDP on anything, it is not brittle at all! I cut aluminum, drywall, hardwood wood (like wenge), tree roots in the ground... - almost anything. I on purpose use it on thing I never use high quality expensive knives before and it stay up to all tasks. So it is not brittle. It is 65-67HRC and when it hit stone edge will not bend but rather cheap, but it does it less then any other steel I know.

About sharpening - I do not know will you be able to sharpen it using road corner stone, probably not, but with diamond sharpeners (widely awailable and cheap - acually cheaper then some waterstones) it is way easy to sharpen ZDP189 then softer steel which develops huge burr, while ZDP189 have it almost microscopic and easy to remove.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
Knife Outlet said:
That depends on the definition of better. My own experience with ZDP is fairly negative because it is very brittle and I've snapped a couple of tips. If you are easy on it, then it will fine and it does have great edge retention. VG-10 for me.
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How did you break the tips and which knives were they?
 
Reeek said:
I'm so anal about keeping my knives sharp I carry a sharpener, steel and strop with me in my Bug Out bag at all times so my knives get touched up after any major use almost immediately.

I know, I'm a freak!
Click to expand...


Haha, I too, sharpen my knives almost immediately after using, but you do have me beat as I don't carry a sharpener with me :P Although Im considering doing so and today have been looking at a nice credit card styled DMT. I guess well be the 2 oddballs of the bunch here haha :p

jasonp said:
If your a true collector though, you have to have some "EROTIC steel" knives though such as ZDP, D2 etc...
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Fixed (for a true collectors feelings) :D
 
I have a ZPD Delica as well as a VG-10 D4. I like my ZDP more for its ability to hold its edge much longer than the VG. When it is sharp it is damn sharp. My only complaint about my ZDP delica is that if I dont get on it and keep it sharp and its get rather dull, getting back to sharp sharp is some what of a pain in the ass. The VG-10 delica is much easier to get to shaving sharp for me, but just doesn't stay there as long as my ZDP does.
 
2k3gti18t said:
I have a ZPD Delica as well as a VG-10 D4. I like my ZDP more for its ability to hold its edge much longer than the VG. When it is sharp it is damn sharp. My only complaint about my ZDP delica is that if I dont get on it and keep it sharp and its get rather dull, getting back to sharp sharp is some what of a pain in the ass. The VG-10 delica is much easier to get to shaving sharp for me, but just doesn't stay there as long as my ZDP does.
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What are you using for sharpening?

I always hear this complains and ask this question- usually nobody answer...

I use DMT and has less troubles with ZDP then with softer steels.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
BTW - I just found ZDP Shallot on knifeworks. It is a pretty good deal.

Thanks, Vasili.
 
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