Spyderco Stretch?

[SpeedHoles]

The problem with zdp189 is when it rusts, it pits. I like zdp189, but it is about as corrosion resistant as d2, another nice steel that I like. Vg10 is more corrosion resistant and a great all around steel.

Yeah, I think it also can depend on the temper of each specific batch of ZDP-189, and how uniform it ends up...
But either way, if corrosion resistance is of utmost importance to the user, then simply look at other steels.

 

[DavidZ]

I like both VG10 and ZDP-189. VG10 should not be thought of as a "budget steel".

Everyone who says ZDP-189 excessively rusts are completely over exaggerating! (I almost recently started a thread on this...)
I soaked one of mine in various forms of vinegar for hours just to test it, and it didn't do much other than darken the blade, barely perceptible in certain angles of light. I even left it covered in rice vinegar over night once to dry and no effect. And, this may have actually protected it because now it won't rust. I even stir my coffee with it often. Cut tomatoes with it and left it for hours without cleaning....
Just treat it well and care for it and you'll be fine. These people complaining of ZDP-189 rusting must have a heart attack with Super Blue, or 52100, or even M4, etc...

Also the sharpening I haven't found much harder at all than any other high end steels. Maybe serious reprofiling... but I actually enjoy some good therapeutic sharpening sessions.

Here's a couple of photos for the haters who keep spreading words of exaggeration.

This is me TRYING to get it to patina, but even after left to dry, it just wiped off clean, several times of doing this...

I know that I don't sweat vinegar. I do not know anyone who does. No one said excessive rust either. However, it did form rust pits on the side of the blade facing inside toward the body, but not on the outside. Also, while the pits did not "bloom" across the surface, they were not just on the face of the blade, they worm holed inward to a depth that kept them from being easily cleaned, and in some cases could not be removed. Try your experiment with salt water and see how it goes.

 

[SpeedHoles]

I know that I don't sweat vinegar. I do not know anyone who does. No one said excessive rust either. However, it did form rust pits on the side of the blade facing inside toward the body, but not on the outside. Also, while the pits did not "bloom" across the surface, they were not just on the face of the blade, they worm holed inward to a depth that kept them from being easily cleaned, and in some cases could not be removed. Try your experiment with salt water and see how it goes.

Sure, it may happen, not trying to say everyone is making things up about the pitting. Like I said, also might be dependent on temper and exposed carbon...

But, I was just always baffled by many of these concerns and experiences that I read. I had owned many ZDP-189 knives myself over the years and never had these issues. I saw so many people recently getting "turned off" to ZDP-189 before they even tried it, based on what people are writing here, that I decided to try some things myself.
Maybe I'll try again with one of my Delica ZDP-189 and see if they corrode more than my Stretches.

Here is a great long term review from awhile ago as well. He did try salt water.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...189-FRN-Stretch-(warning-very-picture-heavy!)

 

[The Deacon]

I stand by my observations. They are just that, nothing more, but they are based on my personal experiences using both steels and, more specifically, Spyderco Stretches in both steels. I do wish Spyderco would publish Q fog results for the various steels they use, but they don't.

 

[Brusiedmeat]

I have the vg10 stretch with blk frn handles and honestly I have never carried it.
The Spydies thumb hole was so sharp it would almost cut my finger if I did not handle it properly. I sanded it down and it is a lot smoother now, but still not fan of the frn handles. Just keeping around for food prep knife for camping as it is razor sharp.
I had the zdp drangonfly and that was one of the sharpest knife I've handled but glad I did not keep it as I live in MN.

 

[SpeedHoles]

I have the vg10 stretch with blk frn handles and honestly I have never carried it.
The Spydies thumb hole was so sharp it would almost cut my finger if I did not handle it properly. I sanded it down and it is a lot smoother now, but still not fan of the frn handles. Just keeping around for food prep knife for camping as it is razor sharp.
I had the zdp drangonfly and that was one of the sharpest knife I've handled but glad I did not keep it as I live in MN.

Why can't you have one in Minnesota?

I too used to raise my nose to FRN "plastic" handles long ago..
But I suggest giving the FRN a fair shot and carry it and utilize it straight for a month. More than likely it'll grow on you as you use it.

 

[Brusiedmeat]

Why can't you have one in Minnesota?

I too used to raise my nose to FRN "plastic" handles long ago..
But I suggest giving the FRN a fair shot and carry it and utilize it straight for a month. More than likely it'll grow on you as you use it.

It's a freezer for most of the year with salt everywhere in MN, so dropping my zdp in the snow and salt mix probably wouldn't do justice. Zdp is more on the brittle side due to the harness, so my guess is the cold would make it worse?
The FRN handle I thought I would like as metal retains cold and heat, but the flimsy plastic feeling I cannot get past:jerkit:. If this was my only knife I probably would not mind as much, but the g10's would be superior to me vs FRN.

 

[-F1]

Superior as in more expensive, heavier, harder on clothing under the pocket clip, while providing no benefit?

 

[ericlosh]

I got a stretch off recommendations, lucked out on a super blue. House of blades still has them.

I'll give my impressions when it gets here tomorrow

And those wood scales look great. I may have to get some

 

[SpeedHoles]

It's a freezer for most of the year with salt everywhere in MN, so dropping my zdp in the snow and salt mix probably wouldn't do justice. Zdp is more on the brittle side due to the harness, so my guess is the cold would make it worse?
The FRN handle I thought I would like as metal retains cold and heat, but the flimsy plastic feeling I cannot get past:jerkit:. If this was my only knife I probably would not mind as much, but the g10's would be superior to me vs FRN.

That's the misconception on both parts. What I'm trying to clear up, and not what the thread is about.

Living in Minnesota shouldn't be a specific reason to avoid any particular steel, IMO.
If you're worried about it you really need a liner-less knife with H1.

 

[TravisH]

It's a freezer for most of the year ... Zdp is more on the brittle side due to the harness, so my guess is the cold would make it worse?

Nope.

 

[Brusiedmeat]

Superior as in more expensive, heavier, harder on clothing under the pocket clip, while providing no benefit?

Is it ok to have preference?
I am not trying to have a debate on FRN vs G10 here..Lets not forget that I feel it's superior to ME, not to you and your mom. We are not talking about Wilkins g10 here so not sure whre the cost factor came from.. FRN will tear up your pants as well. Its called resistance, unless your clip has a one inch gap.. G10 come is many different grits so not all of them are like sand paper.

 

[SpeedHoles]

Is it ok to have preference?
I am not trying to have a debate on FRN vs G10 here..Lets not forget that I feel it's superior to ME, not to you and your mom. We are not talking about Wilkins g10 here so not sure whre the cost factor came from.. FRN will tear up your pants as well. Its called resistance, unless your clip has a one inch gap.. G10 come is many different grits so not all of them are like sand paper.

Sure, it doesn't float everyone's boat, but that is often what many people say about the looks of a Spyderco before ever even using one, whether FRN or not.
I can see and respect your point of view... like I said, I was once there.

But the assumptions about ZDP-189 were just false.

Also worth mentioning, on every FRN model, under the clip is purposely a smooth pad so it does not destroy clothing, and edges are more chamferred...

 

[Brusiedmeat]

Sure, it doesn't float everyone's boat, but that is often what many people say about the looks of a Spyderco before ever even using one, whether FRN or not.
I can see and respect your point of view... like I said, I was once there.

But the assumptions about ZDP-189 were just false.

...

Who said anything about looks... I just don't like the way it feels.. I own a few with FRN handles, and yes have used them.. I just prefer not to carry them as my edc.
And how many times do you need to reiterate the zdp assumptions... Understood, Ok? IT DOES NOT RUST THAT EASILY, JUST AS BRITTLE COLD OR WARM... GOT IT!!
They do chip and is harder to sharpen from my experience.. Maybe for you blacksmith's it makes no difference.
Well I am done here.. Still a fan of my Stretch, not so much with FRN.. Crap I said it again... Don't hang me..

 

[SpeedHoles]

Who said anything about looks... I just don't like the way it feels.. I own a few with FRN handles, and yes have used them.. I just prefer not to carry them as my edc.
And how many times do you need to reiterate the zdp assumptions... Understood, Ok? IT DOES NOT RUST THAT EASILY, JUST AS BRITTLE COLD OR WARM... GOT IT!!
They do chip and is harder to sharpen from my experience.. Maybe for you blacksmith's it makes no difference.
Well I am done here.. Still a fan of my Stretch, not so much with FRN.. Crap I said it again... Don't hang me..

Haha, understood.
Didn't intend on getting you so fired up over it.

My point wasn't so much about looks, but more so about for many (not all), that it is through use where the beauty of a Spyderco is understood. Otherwise they are often misunderstood.

So let's all take some time for a comfortable Stretch, then grip it and rip it!

 

[Evany]

I like VG10. Great warm color, sharpens easily and holds a decent edge. I actually refer it to S30V. Just my preference from personal, but of course limited experience. I like ZDP189 as well. I have immersed my ZDP Delica in salt water many times. Once I forgot to rinse it afterwards and got very minor dull spots on the blade that disappeared with gentle scrubbing and a little scouring powder. Meanwhile it seems to stay sharp longer and need less sharpening touch ups than most of my other knives including M390, CTS 204p and S90V. This is purely subjective, and since I use (and greatly appreciate)'these other steels differently than I use my ZDP knives I'm not sure it has much relevance. Just my .02...

 

[TheOutdoorNerd]

I just got my first Stretch the other day to keep for my collection and fell in love with it. I just ordered a super blue Stretch tonight and there can't be that many still floating around. Everyone is out of stock. One place had one left but an extremely hokey site, and one had I think 2 left but wanted 10 bucks shipping. I wouldn't think house of blades would have that many left. I think I'll keep it boxed and allow myself the super blue manbug as a user lol. The third super blue was a numbered Manbug.

Now I have 2 discontinued stretches, I still need to find one to carry. I'll probably get the VG-10 version since I've been such a huge fan of the Delica and Dragonfly. But I'm already hooked on the stretch. How's the brown G10 version? Is it too heavy?

My kingdom for a super blue Delica. I saw one on eBay the other night for $300. Are they really that rare?

 

[The Deacon]

Now I have 2 discontinued stretches, I still need to find one to carry. I'll probably get the VG-10 version since I've been such a huge fan of the Delica and Dragonfly. But I'm already hooked on the stretch. How's the brown G10 version? Is it too heavy?

Depends on what you consider to be "too heavy". It weighs 4.4 oz. The one I had customized with black palm scales weighs about the same and I don't consider it overly heavy. OTOH, it's a full ounce more than the FRN version, so it's definitely heavier and I'm sure some will say it's "too heavy".

 

[Griptilian]

I just got my first Stretch the other day to keep for my collection and fell in love with it. I just ordered a super blue Stretch tonight and there can't be that many still floating around. Everyone is out of stock. One place had one left but an extremely hokey site, and one had I think 2 left but wanted 10 bucks shipping. I wouldn't think house of blades would have that many left. I think I'll keep it boxed and allow myself the super blue manbug as a user lol. The third super blue was a numbered Manbug.

Now I have 2 discontinued stretches, I still need to find one to carry. I'll probably get the VG-10 version since I've been such a huge fan of the Delica and Dragonfly. But I'm already hooked on the stretch. How's the brown G10 version? Is it too heavy?

My kingdom for a super blue Delica. I saw one on eBay the other night for $300. Are they really that rare?

I have both the FRN and the Brown G10 Stretch. I carry and use both and I don't notice any difference in the weight of the knives in my pocket. I do prefer to carry them using a deep carry pocket clip.

 

[powernoodle]

I own 4x Stretches, but they do not have a smooth action. I'm not talking about the back lock design, but rather the frictiony sound and feel around the pivot. And wear marks develop quickly around the blade pivot where it rubs against the liners. Its almost as if there are no washers in there.

But as for ergonomics and that thin blade profile, they rock. I stuck a polished stainless clip on my Superblue Stretch, which I think is a great look.