Spyderco's ZDP 189 Calypso Jr....WOWZA!

Mine is similar, 6 degrees per side would run the edge way up into the primary grind, probably covering the full width of the ZDP.

-Cliff
 
Cliff Stamp said:
Mine is similar, 6 degrees per side would run the edge way up into the primary grind, probably covering the full width of the ZDP.

-Cliff
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I guess if I ever need to resharpen mine, I'd best use the Magic Marker and adjust my Edge Pro accordingly.
 
redhawk44p said:
I totally agree, my Caly ZDP is awesome. I just wish it was tip up carry. This steel has ruined me. ZDP189 is all I want now. The edge is the definition of scary sharp.
A mini Manix with this steel would be incredible.
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I'll definitely echo that sentiment. This knife is definitely the sharpest I've run across out of the box. EASILY catching/shaving hair well above the skin, gliding through newspaper easily, and I even cut freehanging single ply tp. I am VERY impressed with this knife. Sal, you know what the market wants and you give it to them, a true businessman. Thanks for a great knife.
 
I know this is a little off topic and a bit of a stupid question, but why aren't there any other knives out with ZDP-189? Are any coming? I'd sure like an Axis lock knife with this steel.

-john
 
ccdog said:
I know this is a little off topic and a bit of a stupid question, but why aren't there any other knives out with ZDP-189? Are any coming? I'd sure like an Axis lock knife with this steel.

-john
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It's a Japanese steel...the Calypso is made in Japan. Since Benchmade doesn't use any vg10 (a popular high end Japanese steel), nor afaik make any knives in Japan, it's unlikely we'll see them use zdp-189 any time soon.
 
I recently got a Calypso Jr. For me it redefines the term scary sharp. This is probably the sharpest knife I have ever handled. The fit and finish on this knife I would rate very good. I could not not find any obvious flaws. I would prefer tip up carry. Action is smooth and lockup is tight with no noticable blade play.. I can easily open this knife with either hand. IMO this knife works and looks better without the clip. This is a lot of knife for the money. I think a long term test as my lunchbox knife is in order here. A knife like the Caly makes it seem silly to pay $300, $400, $500 and above for a knife. But I'll still keep buying those higher end Sebs. I'll update after a few months of lunch time use. I expect it to be sharp for a very long time as its duties will be cutting apples in the morning and steak or ribs for lunch with the occassional pork chop thrown in for good measure. Way to go Sal. Put me on the list for any other of your knives available in ZDP-189. :) :cool: ;)
 
Blue Man said:
It's a Japanese steel...the Calypso is made in Japan. Since Benchmade doesn't use any vg10 (a popular high end Japanese steel), nor afaik make any knives in Japan, it's unlikely we'll see them use zdp-189 any time soon.
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They do make Doug's RSK and Mini-RSK in S30V... Actually, a Mini-RSK in ZDP-189 sounds perfect.

-john
 
How about edge retention? How does this compare to the VG-10 version?

As much as I want one of these (seems the perfect replacement for my EDC Dragonfly), the idea of sharpening a blade that is 64Rc + is ... well ... daunting.
 
I haven't done any good measurements, but it seems to hold an edge 3 to 4 times longer than my VG 10 model. I haven't found it *any* harder to sharpen.
 
sodak said:
I haven't done any good measurements, but it seems to hold an edge 3 to 4 times longer than my VG 10 model. I haven't found it *any* harder to sharpen.
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3 to 4 times and it's not any harder to sharpen?! Wow - that's very impressive. I know what my next knife is going to be. :)

Jon
 
Just curious, as I know nothing regarding zdp-189, but wouldn't most blade steels profiled like the Calypso have a super scary sharp edge? I mean really, 6 degrees per side is a really thin edge. If you need a pocket scalpel, I'd wager that the Calpso Jr. would be the ticket. I'm just saying, any blade steel duplicating said knife would be scalpel sharp, too.

Barry H
 
sodak said:
I haven't done any good measurements, but it seems to hold an edge 3 to 4 times longer than my VG 10 model.
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What are you cutting and how (push/slice or both)?

-Cliff
 
I am push cutting cardboard mainly, and some wood, but mainly cardboard. The edge is lasting an for an incredible time. I'm doing a lot of cutting, and generating a lot of heat in the blade. So far it hasn't turned blue yet. :p

Barry H, you're right. They are all sharp. Very. The ZDP seems to keep it a lot longer though.

StoneDog Yeah, I had to try it to believe it. I love VG 10, and this is just blowing it away for edge retention. I can't speak to toughness or strength, but Calypso's are for cutting anyway. I think the reason it's no harder to sharpen is that the geometry is sooooo good. No matter which steel you have, there ain't much there to put on a stone! Nice and thin edge. So far I've been using my Spyderco ceramic sticks, a strop, and once (so far) a Spyderco ceramic fine stone. I've only had to sharpen twice, and believe me, I would have had to sharpen most other steels many more times. Had the knife about 1-2 months. If for some reason you don't like it or are disappointed, I'll buy it from you. Can always use an extra for Christmas...
 
ccdog said:
So anyone know how well the ZDP-189 holds up to chipping under abuse?
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That's perhaps the most interesting question now, I think. I think the various postings both here and elsewhere agree that ZDP-189 is (a) fairly easy to sharpen, (b) gets *very* sharp, and (c) holds an edge for a long time. Sounds pretty good so far.

But what about chipping? Does the blade chip when used hard? Any problems with the tip breaking off when the knife is dropped?

Cliff, where are you? :D

That's one of the big differences between stainless steels and carbon steels, carbon steels are usually a lot tougher. It would be interesting to know more about how tough ZDP-189 really is. After all, if it's at least reasonably tough it may well be a steel that can compete with good carbon steels like M2, A2 or the good ol' 1095.

Hans
 
That's a good point. I haven't hit any staples in my cardboard yet, anyone else? I only drop knives by accident, so maybe someone else can test it this way.... ;)
 
UPS just dropped off my ZDP-189 Calypso Jr. Without a doubt it's the sharpest knife I've gotten, including other Spydercos (like the grey Calypso Jr.). I'm not sure about the black clip (I tend to scratch my clips, and natural finishes hide scratches more). I love the burgandy color. Colorful enough to look pretty, but neutral enough to not be gaudy. And unlike my grey Calypso Jr and my SE micarta one, the blade centers perfectly.
 
I just got mine from a guy who did some testing on the blade by shaving bits off a copper rod and a few other nasty things. He touched it up on a Sharpmaker when he finished and sent it to me. I can slice, thinly, ripe tomatos with it. Therer is no edge damage. I've been cutting and slicing everything from hard wood to apples for a week now and it hasn't looked like getting dull.

Bloody impressive knife.
 
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