Super Blue vs. VG-10 & ZDP-189

Kwon Kwang

Kwon Kwang

Joined
Jul 7, 2013
Messages
2,807
Hi everyone,

I plan on buying a Super Blue Endura in the near future, but before I do, I'm very interested to know if the price upgrade is really worth it. Simply put, my question is this: How does Super Blue perform in comparison with VG-10 and ZDP-189?
 
In the Endura I'm a big fan of the VG-10 FFG. Simply put it's just a good all around user EDC, easy to maintain and the price is right.
 
I don't have any experience with ZDP-189, but I think super blue is a definite upgrade from VG-10 in everything except corrosion resistance. I would get one while they're still around. :)
 
I had a Caly 3 super blue. While cutting a 3 page printer paper roll, the roll collapses. This caused my Caly to develop a slight edge roll in one spot. I fixed it with a ultra smooth rod. I don’t what that means for edge hardness. It is very sharp otherwise. The Endura is laminated steel, I think.
 
You gotta realize part of the price increase of super blue over VG-10 (the standard steel for an endura) and ZDP (the upgrade endura steel) is that its a limited run, your paying for more that performance when you go that route.

gwgang said:
The Endura is laminated steel, I think.
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All the VG-10 and ZDP blades are solid, all super blue blades (not just the endura's) are layers of 420j1 on each side of the super blue to increase flexability so you actually only see the super blue a little at the cuttig tip and a thin line down the spine. **
 
Cereal_killer said:
You gotta realize part of the price increase of super blue over VG-10 (the standard steel for an endura) and ZDP (the upgrade endura steel) is that its a limited run, your paying for more that performance when you go that route.


All the VG-10 and ZDP blades are solid, all super blue blades (not just the endura's) are layers of 420j1 on each side of the super blue to increase flexability so you actually only see the super blue a little at the cuttig tip and a thin line down the spine. **
Click to expand...

I think caly sb are not laminated. Endura, delica, and stretch will be laminated. I prefer the non-laminated sb steel.
 
coiledwire said:
I think caly sb are not laminated. Endura, delica, and stretch will be laminated. I prefer the non-laminated sb steel.
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You are correct. The SB blades on knives made for Spyderco by G Sakai are laminated, while their ZDP blades are solid. The exact opposite is true for knives made for them by Moki, their SB blades are solid, while their ZDP blades (Caly 3, Caly 3.5, C38 Jess Horn, Calypso Jr) are laminated.
 
I like the idea of stainless and super blue core. It will have great contrast when the blue steel patina's and the stainless remains silver. My opinion on each steel as far as edge holding is ZDP, SuperBlue,VG-10. They all have their pro's and con's but in a folding knife I would choose ZDP-189 because it has the best wear resistance if hardness is run high and fair amount of corrosion resistance. I like the super blue, and I put it in the middle of these steels edge holding wise and think it is a great all around steel for kitchen knives and folders if you don't mind patina. As for vg-10 it is a great all around user steel that will perform well in all area's without being too expensive or hard to maintain.
 
Boils down to what you value most in a blade. If ease of maintenance is important, go with VG-10. It's the most rust resistant, easy to sharpen, and holds a edge decently well. ZDP-189 offers better edge holding, but is less rust/stain resistant and perhaps the most time consuming to sharpen. From everything I've heard, Super Blue offers the best edge holding, is easier to sharpen than ZDP-189, but is the least rust/stain resistant. The relatively soft outer 420J1 layers on the laminated version used for the Delica, Endura, and Stretch reduce the surface area subject to staining/corrosion, but scratch easily. I'd also question whether, like other blade coatings, rust can creep under the 420J1 at the points where Super Blue is exposed. Personally, if given the choice, I'll always go with VG-10 over the other two.
 
The price difference for the zdp -189 and the superblue is only $20 more than the Vg 10 version..
If you are patient you will be able to find a user Super blue for Vg 10 price or less..
 
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