Steel upgrade for Delica

I would always show my cool new knives to my ex and she would say "congrats, you now have another knife."

Someday when I'm ready to date, I think the match.com ad will say "must like sharp objects and little dogs."
 
I want a delica, what would people recommend between hap40 or zdp189? Seeing how the price is similar between the two and not a huge jump from vg10, I am choosing between the 2. I don't really care about sprint run vs production as this knife will be used and not kept in a display.
 
wiens_kevin said:
I want a delica, what would people recommend between hap40 or zdp189? Seeing how the price is similar between the two and not a huge jump from vg10, I am choosing between the 2. I don't really care about sprint run vs production as this knife will be used and not kept in a display.
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Not as easy a question as you might think. The closest thing to scientific testing I know about is Jim Ankerson's rope cutting tests, and those rate ZDP189 as significantly better at edge retention than HAP40. At cutting rope. Which can be extended to many abrasive materials, like cardboard. But, not fruit.

A number of caveats, however. Geometry is the single most important factor. Then there is the hardness and heat treat, which can vary widely (my William Henry's ZDP is way hard). Then there is your ability to sharpen the edge and maintain it. To say nothing of your actual usage versus cutting abrasive materials.

So, from a purely edge retention POV, the ZDP189 is probably the right choice. However, as I and many others will attest, getting HAP40 screaming sharp is relatively fun and easy compared to ZDP189.

Worse, all that stuff just my opinion and experience. Other people have different opinions, many of which are undoubtedly valid. :-)
 
Looking forward to getting a HAP40 Delica but the ZDP189 Delica is my fav to EDC.
 
Spydergirl88 said:
Careful you might attract a dominatrix lol
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Funny you should mention that, because I live in what's basically a bondage-themed brewery, which is part of a larger BDSM community, and they have already tried to set me up. And no, I'll take whatever beatings life dishes out, but I'll never volunteer for any. Someday a redheaded dance partner with a Delica to match her lipstick will be enough. She doesn't need to use it on me. The Delica, that is ;)
 
wiens_kevin said:
I want a delica, what would people recommend between hap40 or zdp189? Seeing how the price is similar between the two and not a huge jump from vg10, I am choosing between the 2. I don't really care about sprint run vs production as this knife will be used and not kept in a display.
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Neil has shared some input. To make decision more difficult is recent thread on Spyderco forum that revived the interest & praised about the ZDP.
I don't have either but I'd like to add to Neil's input.

How good are you with sharpening and the abrasive you have, are you willing to change your touch up routine and combinations of stone/strop. These matter too.
I recently had struggled with VG10, that many says easy to sharpen. It's a lot to do with my use, and sharpening routine. I have M4, 8Cr, SuperBlue and some customs (52100, K390, K110) from BCMW. The VG10 was most difficult for me.

However, after successfully rebevel & had full burr free apex, I started enjoying the steel ductility.

In addition, the things you routinely cut matters too. The HAP40 is laminate so the softer steel protects the core against corrosion. The ZDP is solid, and not very stainless. They might react to fruit, etc. differently.

My suggestion is to get both, try them and resell the one you like less. You might ended up liking both for different reasons. ;)

I think I didn't help much :o
 
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NeilB said:
I looked and didn't find a previous thread on this topic. If you where one is, please post it.

My girlfriend introduced me to the Delica. Until I met her, I just ignored Spyderco knives because I didn't like how they look. Today, I love my Spyderco knives! And between us, we must have six or eight Delicas. I like the platform, but I'm over VG-10. It's a nice steel, but not my idea of a good EDC steel (your mileage may vary).

Is there some reason the Delica is never offered in Cruwear, S110V, or even M4? I'd really like one of those! Dragonfly, too, for that matter!

What do you guys think? Is it hopeless?
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I feel like your missing the point to what makes the Delica and the other frn knives so special.

They give us the opportunity to play with Japanese knife steels that are forbidden for sale to US makers.

Japanese culture seems to look differently at what makes the best steel.

It's not all about how wear resistant a knife is but how well it takes an edge.

The Manix 2 lw s110v might be more up your alley.
 
DeadboxHero said:
I feel like your missing the point to what makes the Delica and the other frn knives so special.

They give us the opportunity to play with Japanese knife steels that are forbidden for sale to US makers.

Japanese culture seems to look differently at what makes the best steel.

It's not all about how wear resistant a knife is but how well it takes an edge.

The Manix 2 lw s110v might be more up your alley.
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You may well be right; I could easily be missing the whole point, which was one of the reasons I started the thread. I freely admit that while I like Spyderco knives, and have maybe 30, I'm not steeped in the history and culture of the brand.

Thanks for the input as to differing perspectives on steel suitability. That makes sense of both the Super Blue and the HAP40 options, even VG-10!

All that said, I still think the question worth asking. I'd totally buy a Delica in S110V. Two, actually. And an Endura, too!

My experience is that the Manix feels a little too large for EDC. I even have one in Cruwear! Not a bad knife at all, but I'm a total hard use tactical office ninja these days. My knife cut open a book box today.

Nevertheless, I did jump on a new Para2 in S110V today. I remarked to my girlfriend that I don't have a single Paramilitary, but I have three Militaries. That's just not right.
 
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NeilB said:
You may well be right; I could easily be missing the whole point, which was one of the reasons I started the thread. I freely admit that while I like Spyderco knives, and have maybe 30, I'm not steeped in the history and culture of the brand.

Thanks for the input as to differing perspectives on steel suitability. That makes sense of both the Super Blue and the HAP40 options, even VG-10!

All that said, I still think the question worth asking. I'd totally buy a Delica in S110V. Two, actually. And an Endura, too!

My experience is that the Manix feels a little too large for EDC. I even have one in Cruwear! Not a bad knife at all, but I'm a total hard use tactical office ninja these days. My knife cut open a book box today.

Nevertheless, I did jump on a new Para2 in S110V today. I remarked to my girlfriend that I don't have a single Paramilitary, but I have three Militaries. That's just not right.
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You've got a sweet collection

I'm not gunna lie, I'd love to have a s110v Delica.

One day eh?

Take care
 
NeilB said:
Not as easy a question as you might think. The closest thing to scientific testing I know about is Jim Ankerson's rope cutting tests, and those rate ZDP189 as significantly better at edge retention than HAP40. At cutting rope. Which can be extended to many abrasive materials, like cardboard. But, not fruit.

A number of caveats, however. Geometry is the single most important factor. Then there is the hardness and heat treat, which can vary widely (my William Henry's ZDP is way hard). Then there is your ability to sharpen the edge and maintain it. To say nothing of your actual usage versus cutting abrasive materials.

So, from a purely edge retention POV, the ZDP189 is probably the right choice. However, as I and many others will attest, getting HAP40 screaming sharp is relatively fun and easy compared to ZDP189.

Worse, all that stuff just my opinion and experience. Other people have different opinions, many of which are undoubtedly valid. :-)
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Hmmm, I have a sharp maker and do a pretty good job of maintaining my PM2 s30v. I strop it when it needs it. But I'm far from a expert. Cutting cardboard and skinning wire would be the majority of what it does.
 
I think it's great that your girlfriend is into knives and even better that she properly introduced you to Spyderco. You mentioned that she has a pink Native, and assuming that she likes it, there are a couple more options. Spyderco currently has the 2015 forum knife with S90V and maroon handle on closeout on their website. The dark blue Native with S110V is available also.

One of the coolest things about Spyderco is the number of different steels they use, especially compared to other manufacturers. I also like how you can try out US steel on the Golden knives and Japanese steel on the Seki City made ones, especially those you wouldn't otherwise be able to get here in the US.
 
NeilB said:
Is there some reason the Delica is never offered in Cruwear, S110V, or even M4? I'd really like one of those! Dragonfly, too, for that matter!

What do you guys think? Is it hopeless?
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They already make what your asking for, the zdp189 delica with green handles. My dragofly with zdp preforms awesome!
 
I'm a knife knut. I am not a steel freak.

In my favorite knife brands, I like Spydercos in VG-10 and S30V and Benchmades in 154CM and S30V. Even 440C is fine with me. I'll take D2 and M4 in certain select knives that are favorites due to design. Exotic steels have their place but those benefits come at a price. And that price is time, effort and monetary investment.

I'm confident in my sharpening abilities and I can get all my knives really sharp. But I refuse to dedicate extended time to sharpening or buy specialized equipment to making sharpening faster and easier. I like being able to carry a knife in the field that I can hit on a Double Stuff ceramic stone a few times and keep it sharp as I go. To me, it's a foreign concept to have a knife with steel that holds an edge longer but that steel is so hard you have to buy a specialized apparatus to sharpen it or you have to send it back to the maker to get it sharp again.
 
Lee48 said:
I'm a knife knut. I am not a steel freak.

In my favorite knife brands, I like Spydercos in VG-10 and S30V and Benchmades in 154CM and S30V. Even 440C is fine with me. I'll take D2 and M4 in certain select knives that are favorites due to design. Exotic steels have their place but those benefits come at a price. And that price is time, effort and monetary investment.

I'm confident in my sharpening abilities and I can get all my knives really sharp. But I refuse to dedicate extended time to sharpening or buy specialized equipment to making sharpening faster and easier. I like being able to carry a knife in the field that I can hit on a Double Stuff ceramic stone a few times and keep it sharp as I go. To me, it's a foreign concept to have a knife with steel that holds an edge longer but that steel is so hard you have to buy a specialized apparatus to sharpen it or you have to send it back to the maker to get it sharp again.
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I envy you,
I wish I wasn't as obsessed with steel.

As far as special equipment, a double stuff (ceramic)works on any steel.

It's Noveculite (Arkansas stones) and certain resin bondend oil and water stones that have issues.

And since these are the cheapest, most prominent sharpening mediums in America,
Issues come up.
 
DeadboxHero said:
I envy you,
I wish I wasn't as obsessed with steel.
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And edges; I won't let my girlfriend take a knife out of the house if it won't shave (a dull knife is as useful as an unloaded gun, IMO).

I use an Edge Pro with common stones and I don't have any significant problems. I find it helps me clear my head to sharpen a knife; I have to pay attention to what I'm doing and how I'm doing it to get the results I want.

There's plenty of room in the world for those who obsess about steel and those who obsess about design and those who just want a piece of sharp metal. Takes all kinds to make the world go 'round, you know.
 
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