Spyderco Stretch - VG-10 or ZDP-189?

Ookpik

Ookpik

Joined
Dec 18, 2002
Messages
1,301
I want a Spyderco Stretch. I like the size and blade shape. Is the ZDP-189 steel worth the extra money over the VG-10? What do you guys think? Thanks.
 
If you use it very lightly. Personally, I wouldn't go for a ZDP-189 blade because of the risk of chipping; I think there are a lot of high end steels I'd rather have for the price of ZDP-189. And VG-10 works quite well, especially with a full flat grind.
 
I've used my ZDP Delica the hardest of any knives, through cardboard, denim, shoes, wood, plastic, etc and never had a chip, I'd say it just depends on weather you want to sharpen your knife more often, but its easier to sharpen (VG-10) or if you want to sharpen it less often, but its a little more difficult (ZDP-189).
 
I do not trust Spyderco's VG-10, so would go for ZDP-189. In fact all my Spyderco are S30V or ZDP-189. The only VG-10 is the Endura - the one which made me to avoid VG-10. It is very hard to sharpen and then it would just not hold the edge. I think they have overdone with hardness, the thin edge just falls off...
I have heard they do not make it like that any more. But what is done is done.
Though I am wrong, in fact I have got another two Spyderco with VG-10 - two Chinese Folders, regular and with Ti handle. Could not really pass them on, added to my ZDP-189 one. But I was buying these knives for the set, not for use.
 
I went for ZDP-189 mostly just to get a colored handle. I'm tired of boring black handled knives. Instead, I have an nice blue one (Or if you were to get a ZDP-189 Stretch these days, green) for some variety. The better edge holding over VG-10 is nice, but on the flip side, it's harder to sharpen. I did manage to slightly chip the edge cutting zip ties (Something that didn't faze the thinner VG-10 Centofante 3)... I've done the same with S30V, fwiw.


Either way, though, you can't go wrong. The Stretch ties with the C3 as my favorite Spyderco design...
 
Last edited:
My recommendation is to try and find the more luxurious carbon fibre handled ones, if you can still find one at a good price (they are out of production now). This model has the zdp blade. I also have a frn vg 10 one. It's nice as well, for normal use the steel holds up well enough, but the handle doesn't have that refined feeling.
 
Tsujigiri said:
If you use it very lightly. Personally, I wouldn't go for a ZDP-189 blade because of the risk of chipping; I think there are a lot of high end steels I'd rather have for the price of ZDP-189. And VG-10 works quite well, especially with a full flat grind.
Click to expand...

ZDP chipping out seems more of a myth than a reality. To go beyond my own experiences (in which ZDP has yet to chip out with a 25 degree inclusive edge) Jimnolimit did an excellent test of ZDP-189 vs. S30V.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ZDP-189-edge-chipping-test?highlight=zdp+s30v

OP, I'd earnestly recommend the ZDP Stretch!
 
Either one is a great knife for daily carry and medium use. The Spyderco heat treat on both is very consistent and both are well known as excellent steels. Typically when someone complains about VG10 it has to do with their sharpening technique. ZDP on the other hand, while not extremely difficult is more of an enthusiasts steel and has it's own quirks. I recommend a light touch when sharpening ZDP. VG 10 is considered very easy to sharpen. I know of no changes made other than introducing a full flat grind in both steels. In the endura you can still chose which one you want, FFG or modified saber.

IIRC, Spyderco introduced both VG10 and ZDP to the american market in production knives though William Henry was out about the same time. Exact details on dates are unknown to me.

For me, VG10 has wear resistance in the 154cm/ATS 34 class but sharpens easier, and chips less but things like hardness and final grind geometry are more important in determining this. ZDP is an amazing performing powder steel that regularly comes in between rc 64-65 and can take low angles and high sharpness levels and lasts a long time. Naturally, it is a bit less "tough" than VG10 at rc 59-60.

Joe
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top