What shouldn't be cut with my ZDP folders?

mark greenman

mark greenman

Joined
Feb 16, 2007
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662
Hi everyone, so I recently snagged two ZDP folders in various trades, a CF Caly 3 and a CE Endura, both of which I really like.

Anyway, I know ZDP has issues with staining and/or chipping when used on certain materials. I'm wondering what those materials might be, so I can avoid them- I'd be really peeved if I stained my uber-pricey Caly slicing a lime for a tequila shot, for example. So, is there anything in particular I should avoid?

Thanks,
Mark
 
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I try to avoid concrete blocks and steel shipping bands with my ZDP knives. Doesn't always work out though...
 
I cut limes with my Caly3 and zdp D4 all the time, i just give it a quick wash with water and dry on a paper towel and iv not had any problems with stains. The Caly 3 has grown a kind of golden hue against the 420j2 flanks but i think that would happen any way.

ZDP is hard but its not as brittal as you might think it is. Iv used my ZDP blades for all the same things i use my other knives for and iv had no problems yet. The Caly 3 does have a thin blade so just respect that as you would any knife with a thin blade and you will be fine. :thumbup:
 
I avoid cutting rocks, titanium, steel girders, super heroes, neutron stars, buildings, taco stands, and guitar strings, though I'm sure ZDP would hold up well if I had to cut any of those things.
 
shangchi108 said:
I avoid cutting rocks, titanium, steel girders, super heroes, neutron stars, buildings, taco stands, and guitar strings, though I'm sure ZDP would hold up well if I had to cut any of those things.
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I think neutron stars would be OK but I'd avoid the rest.

I've had a burgundy Calypso Jnr with ZDP for quite some time now, it was my daily EDC for all of that time and I've cut all sorts of things from fruit to cardboard to bits of wood to plastic packing bands to baling twine and lots of other stuff I've forgotten about. Never had the slightest problem. It even went the through the washing machine a couple of times.
 
ZDP189 stains and pits much worse than most stainless steels I have used in salt water. But it takes a while for real damage; if you clean it off quickly you should not have problems. I say this based on experience with my WH chefs knife which got left in 2" or so of salt water for about 24 hours. I had no problems with it in normal use with meat, salt, citrus, etc.; not even minor staining. But a whole day ruined the edge and caused quite a bit of pitting.

I suspect it may be more like D2 than a true stainless. I had a similar mishap with a D2 knife many years ago and the damage seemed similar, but the D2 knife is long gone and a side by side comparison is impossible.
 
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Well, while most of those replies were not terribly helpful, the smattering of after-action reports mixed in has allayed my fears, and so I will quit babying my Caly.

Take care,
Mark
 
mark greenman said:
Well, while most of those replies were not terribly helpful, the smattering of after-action reports mixed in has allayed my fears, and so I will quit babying my Caly.

Take care,
Mark
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Good answe Mark!

It is a knife. You bought it, so use it for what it is meant for...cutting things! Don't baby it if it is your EDC. Just my 2 cents!:D
 
mark greenman said:
Well, while most of those replies were not terribly helpful, the smattering of after-action reports mixed in has allayed my fears, and so I will quit babying my Caly.

Take care,
Mark
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Sorry Mark, that was just my way of saying I don't baby mine at all. Cutting things that really shouldn't be cut with knives should be avoided when possible, but sometimes "a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do", even if it does mess up the edge. Edges can be sharpened.
 
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