Premium powder steel blade steel comparisons

N

Native Justice

Joined
Oct 23, 2005
Messages
549
Has there been a comparison made between ZDP189, SGPS and the Cowry 3g powder steels. If not, does anyone (Cliff maybe) have any idea how they compare performance - wise?

I'm looking at buying a Fallkniven TK1 which has the 3G/VG2 laminate and was curious how it stacks up to the other "best of the bests".

Thanks! :D
 
I compared SPGS and ZDP-189 awhile back on cardboard, the SPGS dominated which was surprising. However the primary edge grind was much more acute, about 4 degrees per side vs 8 for the ZDP-189 blade. The micro-bevels were the same on both, about 0.1 mm wide and fifteen degrees per side. I may have a ZDP-189 blade reground later on and repeat the comparison. Ref :

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=420917

-Cliff
 
Very interesting detail, thanks Cliff.

Have you done similar testing with other upper end steels like S90V and CPM-10V. Would be curious to see how these steels compare since they can take the same type of edge profile.

I'm in the process of ordering a knife from Phil Wilson and he's made no bones about how great these steels are also ... any insite?
 
The is some work of a similar nature of a more coarse analysis in the South Part review of 10V/S30V + other steels. At some point I might go back and analyze the older data using current methods, I really should but I would just rather gather more data and use it. Wilson's knives do perform just as he describes. He doesn't hype the steels that I have ever seen, just says what he sees them do. I have had the pleasure of using four of his knives, a fillet blade, large chef's knife and two utility/hunters. They all cut exceptionally well and are very easy to sharpen due to the thinness of the edge and are very ergonomic in use.

-Cliff
 
Thanks for the the additional detail and reassurance Cliff.

Phil has been a pleasure to work with and I am happy to say I ordered a 4-4.5" CPM-10V Silver Peak this evening from him. Poor guys gotta backlog of 25 knives so I'll get to wait until May to see mine; success has its rewards! :D
 
He does really nice work, and the knives are a very complementary package with the steel, heat treat, grind and sharpening all optomized towards the same goal. He just doesn't aggressively push himself on the forums which is why he isn't as commonly discussed as other makers.

-Cliff
 
That's good to hear Cliff.

Selfishly, I'm glad he doesn't ... otherwise I'd be waiting years instead of months to receive my knife ... lol. ;)
 
In the FWIW column the Phil Wilson website has the best description from a laymens prospective that I've seen on toughness, wear resistance, etc.

If he would just add prices to his web site....
 
Phil was one of the first makers who I read who actively noted that "premium" steels were dependent on the type of knife as opposed to the popular notion that a premium steel meant that it just worked well for knives in general.

-Cliff
 
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