Thoughts on ZDP-189?

Steel130

Steel130

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I have read a few threads on this steel already. It seems like it goes two ways. One it is real chippy. Or people have never had a problem with chipping. I am going to guess that the chipping issues were over heating from the factory sharpening as the problem seems to have gone away for alot of people after several sharpenings. Basically though, is it real tempermental on the stones? I can sharpen M390 and the like with my current setup, which to be honest is a 400 grit silicon carbide stone, and then all the Spydie ceramics. So is ZDP going to act any differently? Looking at the Delica 4 in it by the way.
thanks for the help
 
ZDP is very hard so, yes, it will chip. I've seen some bad ones too.

Using ceramic stones is not the best choice as they can microchip the edge. Waterstones are your best option and will provide the best edge for this steel.
 
Zdp-189 edge holding is great. I still have a dragon-fly & stretch cf. gave away a delica & 2 ladybug.

I zero-grinded my df & cf, talking about less than 8* inclusive but put a micro-bevel to preserve the edge. Currently, my df micro-bevel is around 18*, it's my shaving knife for a while now. cf has about 24* for fruits & light duty tasks. In sub 30* angle range, zdp is alot less chippy than s30v. I mainly sharpen them using diamond stones/plates - more convenient doing it at my desk.

While visiting a relative, I help cut thorny palm fronts/stalks into shorter chunk to fit into the bin. I put a 40* micro-bevel on the cf, 45 minutes later, very sore hand, cf edge still very sharp and no ding/chip. My brother in-law used my 30* BM Pardue D2 to chop instead of slice -> geez thanks for a new serrated knife - deepest chip was 2.5mm.

A year ago, I had frustrating time removing to an impossible wire-edge for my cf - at 20* angle - using spyderco F & UF ceramics. Well, I wasn't good with freehand back then. For higher angles, there shouldn't be much problem sharpen using spydie ceramics.

Sharpening over all, zdp is fairly easy to sharpen using various abrasive types. It will takes longer than other softer steels, especially foolish attempt to reprofile using tiny stones (EP, WEP, etc..) - hmm I did that while back with EP -> after the cf & 2 bugs -> bye bye 120grit stone.
 
I liked ZDP for the little while that I had it (Caly 3.5) I took mine down to 12 degrees per side with a 30 degree inclusive Tertiary and it held up fine but I wasn't using it hard. Mostly dense packaging and food prep/destruction. I wouldn't use something in ZDP like you did that M390 Para 2 though. It'll be looking like a bag of Lays if you did:D
 
LOVE the stuff, I have a Caly-3 with the ZDP / 420 roll-bonded laminate that I use as one of my common EDCs. It's sharpened at 13DPS, with a 15DPS microbevel. I do NOT use it for heavy work, that's what my fixed blades and Zero Tolerance knives are for, but I use it for normal pocket knife tasks like opening packages, cutting up cardboard boxes, and the occasional bit of whittling. Never had the slightest bit of trouble with edge holding on it, it seems to dull primarily (slowly) by abrasion.
 
Komitadjie said:
LOVE the stuff, I have a Caly-3 with the ZDP / 420 roll-bonded laminate that I use as one of my common EDCs. It's sharpened at 13DPS, with a 15DPS microbevel. I do NOT use it for heavy work, that's what my fixed blades and Zero Tolerance knives are for, but I use it for normal pocket knife tasks like opening packages, cutting up cardboard boxes, and the occasional bit of whittling. Never had the slightest bit of trouble with edge holding on it, it seems to dull primarily (slowly) by abrasion.
Click to expand...
I have the same knife, & agree with this comment.
I sharpen it on ceramic & diamond, with no problem.
 
It's the bladesteel in some of my most carried folders, the Stretch CF and a few other Spydercos. I use it as an everyday slicer. Perhaps I haven't experienced any chipping because I don't treat it to any "hard use" like batoning or "steel expert" testing that I never do...Just main edc stuff/food prep.

I have read about the difficulty people have with the steel in regards to sharpening and I was expecting to have a hard time with it on my EP/Sharpmaker. Actually, I found that it isn't any harder for me to sharpen than other premium steels. I lighten up on the pressure especially near the end as suggested on the forums but no difficulties at all whatsoever, I had a tougher time re profiling a few other steels.

I've re profiled it once on the EP, and have been maintaining the edge on the Sharpmaker and a strop.

Simply put, I have a laserbeam of an edge ready to go 24/7. Holds an edge forever it seems like. It might be my favorite steel actually. I'd recommend it to anyone who has their sharpening rig figured out.
 
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