Stretch Question

Bugs57

Bugs57

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Jul 3, 2016
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Plan on purchasing a Stretch. There is a HAP40 Stretch with burnt orange FRN handle from the sprint run available vs. getting the Spyderco Stretch Lightweight ZDP-189 Knife Green FRN (3.5" Satin) C90PGRE. What is the main differences between these 2 steels? The HAP40 version is about 20 bucks more. This will be my daily carry at work in SW FL. I sweat a LOT working outside analyzing soils and get pretty dirty. Need to make a decision soon. Which one? Thanks in advance for taking the time to reply.
 
Do you value ability to resharpen over edge retention or vice versus?


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ZDP has better edge retention in spyderco's history, so that's the safe bet for you if you don't want to resharpen. It's a double edged sword though since its been documented as harder to bring back than the HAP40. Maybe other members can give more background than myself? A simple search would aid in explaining too, as I don't have links ready for you. Apologies for that.


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As long as you wipe down your knife and do general maintenance neither should give you any problems.


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After owning zdp, VG10
, HAP40 and SuperBlue.

I prefer ZDP followed by SuperBlue because of the cool patina it takes.
HAP40 is meh.

Normal EDC temperate climate
for rust resistance I found that.
.
VG10 and ZDP are very good.
HAP40 not bad.

SuperBlue. Better oil it.


Having clean rods on the Sharpmaker makes life easier
when touching up either steel.
 
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I love my ZDP-189 Stretch. I had a VG10 Stretch and it was also a good performer. The Stretche is designed to be an absolute slicer, it deserves a high end steel in my opinion.
 
Great decision buying a Stretch! I have found that ZDP-189 has slightly better edge retention than the HAP40, but does take a bit more time to resharpen. As far as corrosion goes I've had no trouble with either. They will take on a nice patina but I've had no rust on either. This is only my personal experience though, others may not agree. The ZDP is less of an attention grabber when at work being green, but I like the orange and shininess of the HAP in the woods, harder to lose! Hope this was a help!
 
I do not like ZDP-189. I feel the slight increase in edge retention over HAP40 is not at all worth the large increase in time required to sharpen. HAP40 is an absolute breeze to sharpen, and still holds its edge longer than VG-10 or SUPERBLUE. My vote goes to HAP40. Plus, it's a sprint while the ZDP is regular production.
 
There's a review by Michael Christy on YT comparing the three. ZDP, SB and HAP40. HAP40 is 2nd higher wear resistant but also easier to sharpen.
ZDP is solid (not laminated) and more prone to corrosion.

I have the Endura of all versions and highly recommend HAP40.
 
adamg01 said:
I love my ZDP-189 Stretch. I had a VG10 Stretch and it was also a good performer. The Stretche is designed to be an absolute slicer, it deserves a high end steel in my opinion.
Click to expand...

The only question would be how one defines "high end steel". For many years ATS-34 was considered by many to be "the" high end Japanese stainless steel. VG-10 has pretty much replaced it, at least in "the Spyderco world" and nothing has challenged it. ZDP-189 is a high end semi-stainless. You get better edge holding compared to VG-10, but while you only need to sharpen it half as often, it takes twice as long. You also give up some rust resistance. That's obviously trivial to those who see it as "better" than VG-10, but important to some of us. From what I've read, HAP-40 has even less rust resistance, but it is paired with the most attractive handle color on any FRN Stretch.
 
As for high end steel.

I remember when ATS 34 was high end.
 
ZDP-189 should be harder to sharpen but I do not think it will rust as easily as HAP40. I like the dark green scales, too. However, there is a really nice brown G10 available, too.
 
For heavy use with less frequent maintenance, the stainless laminate of HAP40 will have better chance avoiding corrosion in hidden areas such as pivot.
Recently there's a thread where a ZDP Delica corroded around the hidden areas.
Also, if later OP doesn't like HAP40, the resale value is better (both used) than a regular ZDP.

Two anecdotal threads about ZDP:
Rust:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1183634-Spyderco-Stretch-ZDP189-Rust-Resistance

Not so much rust:
http://www.spyderco.com/forumII/viewtopic.php?t=40101&start=80
 
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Chris thanks for those links, very enlightening. My job working outdoors in SW Florida is hot and humid with the occasional soaking from a downpour. I also travel by small boat to 2 islands that I have to monitor the septic systems on. To say that I get sweaty would be a vast understatement. I walked into a Subway sandwich shop the other day after doing a soils evaluation and the attendant asked me I got caught in the rain somewhere as I was drenched with sweat. I've been using a beater Cold Steel knife that has gotten pretty rusted. After reading those links I'm thinking I would destroy a stretch in short order from rust in either ZDP of HAP40. Maybe I need to start petitioning Sal to make a stretch in H-1. Probably the only steel that might have a chance of survival.
 
Sounds like corrosion resistance is a much more important consideration for you than edge holding... :D I wish I could provide some input into that side of the conversation, but seeing as though I live in one of the driest (or so it seems) climates in the US, I really cannot.

As far as ZDP is concerned, I've had zero problems keeping it sharp/resharpening it...whether its touching it up on my Sharpmaker (which I highly recommend to everyone) or re-profiling on my EP. I've more or less gotten into the habit of making a few passes on the SM at the beginning and end of every day with whatever knife I carry, and that seems to work quite well for me. YMMV.

There are lots of awesome knives in the Salt series...especially if a SE works for you. ;) Lots of people have...umm...major PE preferences. I used to be one of them- and still do prefer a PE- but SE can do a lot more than people give them credit for and are not difficult to resharpen.

Sorry.....off my box. You might know all this!! :D
 
You're welcome! Those are about ZDP.
Is a fix blade suitable? The Jumpmaster seems to have handle similar to Stretch and will have pointier version coming out soon. If not, try getting Pac Salt SE.. :)

I'd still suggest either get the HAP40 (if pivot is oiled properly, the rest is stainless cladding) or VG10 (Deacon is very happy with it's stainlessness). A lot of people seems to experience VG10 as VERY stainless although not to H1 level.

Another reason is that Surfingringo who's almost always on saltwater and drenched as well when he fishes, is happy with the durability of his Stretch HAP40.
https://www.spyderco.com/forumII/viewtopic.php?t=70147
And he has video to show that too
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=J4GO-PYUO64
 
Chris "Anagarika";16285010 said:
You're welcome! Those are about ZDP.
Is a fix blade suitable? The Jumpmaster seems to have handle similar to Stretch and will have pointier version coming out soon. If not, try getting Pac Salt SE.. :)

I may get a fixed blade version for fishing on my boat but I'd rather have a folder at work that's not going to garner attention like a fixed blade. Pac Salt looks interesting.

I'd still suggest either get the HAP40 (if pivot is oiled properly, the rest is stainless cladding) or VG10 (Deacon is very happy with it's stainlessness). A lot of people seems to experience VG10 as VERY stainless although not to H1 level.

Watching the vids it looks like Surfingringo is experiencing some rusting in the salt but might be OK with some minimal daily rinse and oil maintenance. The Stretch in HAP40 will probably be my choice. Still on the fence. Wish I had somewhere local that carried Spydercos so I could put a Pac Salt in hand or Spyderco would make a Stretch in H1.

Another reason is that Surfingringo who's almost always on saltwater and drenched as well when he fishes, is happy with the durability of his Stretch HAP40.
https://www.spyderco.com/forumII/viewtopic.php?t=70147
And he has video to show that too
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=J4GO-PYUO64
Click to expand...

ZuluKilo I prefer plain edged. Corrosion resistance is a need more than a want if that makes any sense. Would prefer another steel but the environment the knife will be exposed to dictates otherwise. Being a newly addicted Spyderco fan I still get to enjoy my PM2 in SV30 when not at work or on the water and am looking forward to the PM2 in M4 with Jade G10 Handle coming my way. :D But I still need a hard use knife for work and water and the salt series is starting to make more sense. I just saw a thread on small Spyderco's; being sucked down the rabbit hole but enjoying the ride.
 
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