Questions about the ZDP-189 Calypso Jr.

Starfish

Starfish

Joined
Jun 14, 2001
Messages
1,256
Hi all,

I'm contemplating the purchase of one of these knives, and have not seen these specific questions answered in other threads (ok ok, I haven't looked THAT hard :)).

1) How does this knife compare to the VG-10 Calypso Jr. in terms of cutting performance, toughness, etc.

2) Has Spyderco completed testing of ZDP-189 in the Calypso Jr? If so, can you share the general findings?

Thanks,

Matthew
 
1) I don't know. Mine are supposed to be at my door today. :D

2) I think buyers are Phase II testers. I am not sure what in-house testing has been done on these. Maybe Sal will pipe in.
 
I hope this helps, I'm going to have to sharpen my Caly Jr. ZDP-189 again sometime in 2007! This stuff holds an edge!! :thumbup:
 
All I can compare it to is several BM's I have in D-2 and my Caly ZDP came a heck of a lot sharper and never lost its sharpness cutting up a bunch of heavy furnitire boxes.

Its the most impressive knife I own (at least from sharpness and edge retention aspects).
 
Man, you guys are making me drool. Is this steel really that good? How much better than VG-10? Where's Cliff Stamp when you need him?
 
VG-10 is good steel and I was impressed with it's edge holding and how sharp it would become, but ZDP-189 has got to be several times better than VG-10. *I'd like to point out this is JMHO.
 
safong said:
Man, you guys are making me drool. Is this steel really that good? How much better than VG-10? Where's Cliff Stamp when you need him?
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He's over in the General Blade Discussion section saying he's pretty impressed.
 
Thanks for all of the replies - sounds like initial reports are that ZDP-189 (as found in the Calypso Jr.) is "a cut above" <groan> :yawn:

I'd still be interested to hear what Spyderco observed in their testing...

Matthew
 
I've been carrying a ZDP-189 Calypso for a few weeks as my edc. It's a super cutter, the ZDP is better than the VG-10. I also have a William Henry in ZDP this knife is a great cutter as well but the Calypso's blade edge profile makes it the winner when it comes to overall cutting ability.

Cheers!
Scottk
 
Do any of you guys know of a website that may give some of the technical info on ZDP-189? I know that it is a Japanese steel. But I don't know which company concocted it i.e. Hitachi, Ginami... ect:. IF I remember right the steel was originally made for the aircraft industry. But so was ATS-34 in it's early days so that is no surprise. But I would like some technical info on it.
 
Initial impression:

Sharpest Spydie out of the box I have ever seen ( I have well over 100) :eek:
 
Made by Hitachi and only made to order, which means long lead times, though there is some held in stock by the knife manufacturing industry in Japan. Hitachi itself keeps no stock.

Further, Hitachi is tightfisted with details on this steel.
 
Carlos said:
Made by Hitachi and only made to order, which means long lead times, though there is some held in stock by the knife manufacturing industry in Japan. Hitachi itself keeps no stock.

Further, Hitachi is tightfisted with details on this steel.
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I doubt that with all the publicity it's getting. Some guys somewhere else in the forum claim they can easily get it from Japan.
 
Thanks Carlos & Danny. But you know that raises a question. I think you all will agree with me on this one. I seriously doubt if the only alloys are carbon and Chromium. As good as steel as it is I would bet my Carbon Fiber POLICE model that there are more alloying components than what they got listed. AS hard as it gets on the Rockwell Scale I would be willing to bet that it has some Cobalt and/or Vanadium in it.

I am really sold on it. I just got my second ZDP-189 Calypso Jr. (Burgundy) and I just love that blade steel. It seems like the cutting edge has more ripping power to it than most blade steels. But I am sure that it has a lot to do with what abrasive that they hone it with. I can't wait now for the BLUE DELICA which is to follow. :)
 
dannyv said:
I doubt that with all the publicity it's getting. Some guys somewhere else in the forum claim they can easily get it from Japan.
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That is what I just said. You can get it from secondary suppliers in the Japanese knife industry (who are maintaining some stock), but it is much harder to get from Hitachi. I know of a knifemaker in the UK whose already bought a small amount.
 
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