VG-10 vs. ZDP-189

K

KC Huntin

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Mar 24, 2012
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I am looking at a Stretch and wanted to know opinions in these two steels. I'm not that good at sharpening so I'm leaning towards the VG-10.
 
Go for the ZDP-189 version. The BRG looks great and the steel is amazing. It's up there with my favorite Spydercos. Plus you can always get better at sharpening. :P
 
Big proponent of VG-10 here. It's simply an easy steel to sharpen and maintain. I know it's sacrilege around here but man I'm getting really tired of sharpening knives that give me a hard time. ZDP-189 is one of them.
To be fair to the ZDP, it will hold an edge longer than the VG-10 ONCE SHARPENED but let it get dull and you've got a chore on your hands, especially if you're not proficient at sharpening. VG-10 will come right back up in no time at all, simply, it's not finicky at all.
VG-10 is also more corrosion resistant. Not that I've had a problem with ZDP but it will tarnish a bit.
To me it's an easy choice for my money and sanity as to which steel I'd choose for an every day user.
 
I think Spyderco's VG10 is highly underrated. I prefer it over, for example, BM's 154cm by quite a bit. As for ZDP, I do not have much experience with it, but from what I've heard it's a bear to sharpen. I'd stick with VG10 probably.
 
I have a Spyderco Stretch in ZDP-189 and here is my take on the steel. It can be very hard to sharpen to a hair whittling edge and is easy to chip the edge when using as an EDC blade. I have a Wicked Edge sharpener so dealing with ZDP-189 is not a real problem because of the control you have in the sharpening process with the diamond stones, but even with this system it does take more time than I would like to put a razor edge back on this blade. When you end up with a few chips in the blade it takes much longer to get ride of the problem than if you were to purchase this knife in VG-10. To deal with the chipping problem that comes with using a ZDP-189 blade as an EDC, I have started to use a convex edge. Again this is very time consuming to first profile the blade in this manor but the edge is much stronger and makes touch ups easier and faster. As an EDC you tend to use the knife as a tool that it was not always designed for and that is why I would recommend the VG-10. As stated in Jibbles post, Spyderco's VG-10 is highly underrated, it will hold a very fine edge, is easy to sharpen and is very corrosion resistant. I have had some corrosion issues with ZDP-189 in high humidity environments. I hope this information helps in your decision.

Good luck!
 
If you can strop well, ZDP takes nicely to it. Have to do it often to keep it nice and sharp. If you're a hard user and may experience chipping/rolling VG10 will be a much friendlier option. Either way, you'll be enjoying a great knife.
 
Vg10 is very easy to get and keep sharp. It also holds an edge well. For me, it is not worth the extra cost and sharpening trouble that come with ZDP.
 
Based upon you post I think the VG-10 would be a better option for you than the ZDP-189, however the soon to be available Stretch Super Blue (laminated) Sprint is certainly worthy of consideration. Super Blue (Hitachi Aogami) is much easier to sharpen that ZDP yet will take a fine edge and makes for an excellent slicer.
 
VG-10 is the one steel I can consistently get a hair popping edge on with little to no effort. ZDP-189 is nice but if you let it go to dull its a total annoyance to fix.
 
I think from your post that you would be happier with vg 10 it is a great steel and it is easy to maintain. When zdp 189 rusts it pits in my experience, vg 10 is more corrosion resistant and easier to sharpen.
 
If you follow the majority so far, it looks like it's VG10. That is always the case when this gets asked (which is often).

That's ok, more ZDP for me. I have my sharpening rig down pat and have a laser beam edge 24/7 with ZDP. You don't need to be a sharpening guru, I'm sure not. Just have to UNDERSTAND what your doing to the edge. See my sig, I own a number of ZDP's, sharpening is not an issue, may take longer than VG10 but many premium steels would take longer than it. Stays sharp longer-sharpen less, maintain the edge with a sharpmaker and strop.
 
I think the question is more then VG-10 vs ZDP-189. I love my spyderco VG-10, more so then some other companies standard steel like 154cm. But when it comes to the stretch, I just feel you gotta go ZDP-189. Sharpening isn't bad as long as you don't let it get dull (I touch it up on the white rods every 2-5 weeks).

Maybe it's just mean, but I feel that the zdp-189 stretch is a staple spyderco. But in the end, get whatever peaks your interest more. :P
 
Actually, I would like to try zdp189. I have knives in m4 and cts 204p and have no trouble sharpening and re profiling them on diamond stones and the sharpmaker. Is zdp that different?? I touch my knives up every couple of days and kind of enjoy the process. I think that works well with some of the harder steels...to stay on top of them and not allow them to get dull.
 
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