Steel comparisons: M390 vs. ZDP-189...experience?

Gunsnknives

Gunsnknives

Joined
Mar 26, 2011
Messages
647
Hi all,

First of all, I admit that I love M390. I have an AFCK, BM 581 and a TSEK in it. I have a Millie on order with it. I love that it is both wear resistant and takes a keen edge.

Then for Christmas, I ordered an Endura in ZDP-189 as a present, but kept it :glee:... ZDP-189 takes a nice edge as well as have good edge retention (per the forumites), albeit not necessarily as good as M390.

After 2 days of owning ZDP, I like it, but don't love it. I have an Edge Pro and can get ZDP hair whittling sharp...just like M390, but I don't see the keen edge that this steel is suppose to take being that different than M390.

Now to my question: What is your experience with both steels? In your experience, is there a big difference between the two steels? Maybe I need to sharpen ZDP with a slightly different technique?

Just wondering what everyone else is seeing :)
 
Now to my question: What is your experience with both steels? In your experience, is there a big difference between the two steels? Maybe I need to sharpen ZDP with a slightly different technique?
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My experience with those alloys is that in manila rope slicing comparisons, M390 at a hardness of 60.5 held an edge significantly longer than ZDP 189 at 62.1.
 
My experience with those alloys is that in manila rope slicing comparisons, M390 at a hardness of 60.5 held an edge significantly longer than ZDP 189 at 62.1.
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That is a low number for the ZDP. It more often comes in around RC 64 to RC 64.5 . I'm not sure it would make that much of a difference though if Jim Ankerson's test are any indication. ZDP is crisper and nicer to sharpen at the higher hardnesses but demands a lighter touch. M390 to me seems very easy to sharpen for such a high wear steel.

Joe
 
Well I've been playing with ZDP for a few more days. I'm maintaining the edge with very light and very careful stropping on loaded then bare leather. The high hardness is likely contributing to some differences I'm noticing between it and M390:

1. ZDP seems to hold that hair popping edge a bit longer. I'm sure that M390 will keep its working edge longer as many have pointed out
2. The edge on ZDP-189 feels glass smooth. It push cuts (read: shaves) more cleanly than M390. The ZDP edge just "feels" more "crisp".
3. When cutting telephone book paper, I notice a slightly easier cut with ZDP, although that could simply be a function of the blade thickness of M390 vs. the ZDP.

All in all, I feel ZDP-189 makes and excellent blade for folks that like very fine, mirror polished edges. I haven't tested it for hard use (yet), but from previous posts, I would guess that it won't be as good as M390.

Now..."the sickness" is pulling me towards the Caly 3.5 in Super Blue. Rusty Sharpness is what I'm feeling there...
 
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