Pitting/voids in ZDP-189 (Caly3)?

[Planterz]

I've had this knife for several years, and it's been quite a while since I did a reprofile job on it. Some time ago it started to chip towards the tip. I didn't carry it much after that, as I preferred my BM 940D2CF (no offense to Spyderco). Every once in a while, I'd grab the Caly3 to carry it, I'd remember about the chipping, try sharpening it out again (freehand), and I'd give up because I could never get past the chipping.

Finally, tonight I get around to trying to reprofile it to sharpen out the chipping. I use an Edge Pro with waterstones. Starting with coarse (can't remember grit, but it's really coarse), and working my way up 180, 320, and 660. I don't know what the angle is, I just eyeball it. Everything seems uniform, so I add a microbevel, and it's chipped again. Same spot. Added a could degrees angle, and tried again, but same result.

I can see what almost looks like pits in the steel, and not just at the edge. I don't have a jewelers loop (I'll get one soon), but the macro on my camera is OK, and this is what I see.

(click for full size)

So what the heck is going on here? Are there voids in the steel? Could this have been caused by rust? Keep in mind that this is immediately after a fresh reprofile, on newely surfaced steel. I can't ever recall seeing rust on my knife. Also, it's only on this side, not on the other.

Ideas?

 

[FourD]

I've had pitting on an ZDP Dragonfly that "somehow" got left soaking in the washing machine drain for 24 hours. It only formed where water was trapped. Not sure if those are voids or not, but they don't look quite like the pitting I had. I can try to post some pics to compare if you'd like.

 

[brownshoe]

I have one ZDP blade from William &Henry. It doesn't chip or rust. I'd suggest contacting Spyderco and see what they have to say.