Spyderco Endura VG-10 Vs. ZDP-189

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initb2009

Joined
Jul 7, 2009
Messages
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Which is better for the money? Which is a better steel? and What is the difference between VG-10 and ZDP-189?
 
VG-10 is easier to sharpen but the edge retention will be less than ZDP. ZDP is more expensive. Both are fine for most people's needs. Most people who aren't steel snobs will not care very much about the differences. Personally, I say save yourself the money and go with VG-10 unless the extra edge retention is THAT important for you. Many people think the extra edge retention is critical, but in my experience, it isn't.
 
don't forget corrosion resistance. VG10 is highly resistant, ZDP is not. it will rust quite easily in the tropics (hot and humid weather). and VG10 is soooooooooo much easier to sharpen.
 
spyken said:
don't forget corrosion resistance. VG10 is highly resistant, ZDP is not. it will rust quite easily in the tropics (hot and humid weather). and VG10 is soooooooooo much easier to sharpen.
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You would think a steel with 20% chromium would be pretty corrosion resistant.
 
Kaizen1 said:
VG-10 is easier to sharpen but the edge retention will be less than ZDP. ZDP is more expensive. Both are fine for most people's needs. Most people who aren't steel snobs will not care very much about the differences. Personally, I say save yourself the money and go with VG-10 unless the extra edge retention is THAT important for you. Many people think the extra edge retention is critical, but in my experience, it isn't.
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I agree with Kaizen1. Unless you REALLY need that extra edge retention (like cutting cardboard 8-hours a day every day) VG-10 will do just fine.

VG-10 is one of my favorite alloys. It has a great combination of edge retention, ease of sharpening, corrosion resistance, and toughness. It makes a great blade for EDC.
 
elkins45 said:
You would think a steel with 20% chromium would be pretty corrosion resistant.
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The 3% carbon combines with the chromium to form a large number of chromium carbides, leaving less "free" chromium to resist rust.
 
Spyderco has made some sprint runs of Delicas with ZDP189 blades.

That's the one that immediately springs to mind.
 
Spyderco has several regular models in ZDP, Kershaw has made some, and William and Henry have made knives in ZDP. Currently Spyderco has the most extensive line up of ZDP I know of, with regular production models of the Delica, Endura, Stretch 2, Caly 3 CF, and soon to be Stretch 2 FRN/ZDP model pop to mind. They have had many sprint runs and currently offer their Mule Team fixed blade in ZDP.

Mike
 
knarfeng said:
Spyderco has made some sprint runs of Delicas with ZDP189 blades.

That's the one that immediately springs to mind.
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Spyderco also has a production run of the ZDP189 Endura. Kershaw also has in production a Shallot w/ Composite 14CZN/ZDP189 Steel Blade. There are others I can't think of right now.
 
I have Endura's in VG-10 and ZDP-189 and honestly if your not needing the extra retention then you can get by very easily with the VG-10. I carry my waved Endura alot and its been fine for edge retention. One thing I will say is my ZDP Endura takes a bit longer to sharpen for sure and I dont let the edge go on that at all. ZDP takes a great edge but so does VG-10. Endura's depending on your budget are in a good price range and you could eventually get both. I'd start with the VG-10...see if you feel you need more then buy the ZDP model.

I own many knives in ZDP-189 including the Spyderco Lum and its a great steel you just dont want to have to do extensive sharpening on it as its very time consuming to get back to hair popping sharp (at least for me it was).
 
I LOVE ZDP-189, as it makes for some of THE sharpest knives I have ever had!!! I have 3 customs with it.
 
If you are a steel and sharpening nut ZDP-189 is great (I LOVE it), but if you aren't great at sharpening or don't need unreal edge retention then VG-10 is an excellent all around steel that will serve you great. My Spyderco Stretch 2 is my favorite ZDP-189 knife out of many I know, and it takes an unreal edge at 7 degrees per side polished out to .05 microns. Microbevel sharpening barely takes a couple minutes to get it hair whittling again, and it just cuts like crazy. VG-10 needs a bit wider angle than ZDP-189, and will need to be sharpened more often, but if you only cut a few things a day and don't take your edges to extreme levels you would probably not notice any difference except the price. Personally I think the money is well worth it for the thinner edges, little bit of extra sharpness at extreme polish, and significant boost in edge retention I get.

Mike
 
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