Which Stretch?

Both zdp & superblue are excellent steels in their own ways, i lean toward the superblue. However, the vg10 is so good i'm not sure i'd consider the "super steels" worth the extra price (on future purchases) now i've tried them out and satisfied my curiosity.

& I agree that 350 msrp sounds pretty steep for the coming version.
 
cchu518 said:
I have had three zdp edged knives, traded them all out. Under some circumstances, you have to really work at resharpening these things. Sometimes you are sharpening the normal amount of time as you would S35v or CPM 154 and one isn't sure if anything is happening if at all to the zdp blade.
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I have the zdp one and haven't really had a problem. I have a variety of sharpening tools, including one of those tri-stone sets that include course and fine diamond, and an Arkansas stone. I also have a lansky set, the spyderco tri sticks, the spyderco ceramic stones. Plus stropping gear for my convex edged knives.

A knife knut needs sharpening tools to maintain all the knives. I got the diamond ones when I got the zdp stretch, just to make sure I could sharpen it. It's also made reprofiling some of my other knives kind of fun.

It's wierd, I consider myself a pretty good sharpener, probably not the best but I get by. I usually have a shaving edge on my knives. I keep them sharp, rather than let them get dull first, that seems to make a big differance.

That being said, every now and then I actually make one more dull instead of more sharp. Now that I have so many choices I can just switch to something else, and that helps somewhat. Sometimes I just put it up and do it another day and sharpen it just fine. It's just weird like that sometimes. It's like my inner angle is off or something, or maybe it's not symmetrical.
 
I have a couple VG -10's and may spring for a ZDP. I love the knife and the VG-10. It has run everything else to the knife case. Actually considering another VG for hoarding I guess. Heck --- both ?
Don't think I will spend close to $200 for G-10. I can the other 2 for that and actually prefer FRN to G10.
 
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zdp, after such a positive experience with the zdp stretch I got one in superblue. I found the steel to be way too reactive, even to make it through a single meal. It's hard to keep the edge from pitting.

The zdp has ruined my salts for me, I just can't get them as sharp. I don't have a problem sharpening the zdp. I use diamond and Arkansas stones, the spyder sticks are just to clean the edge up, to keep it sharp, not to bring it back. It's actually easier to maintain than the others.

I'm getting a zdp endura to round out my collection.
 
Spyderco Dude said:
Sal has developed a Stretch with a larger finger choil and a wider blade. It is due to be released this year with brown G10 and a solid ZDP-189 blade. If that speaks to you you may want to wait for it to come out. If it's well received an FRN version with the updates will be released. I don't own a Stretch yet, I'm waiting for the G10 version.
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Wow - Big news. I am sorta excited and concerned. Excited cause a new Stretch is coming out - concerned because I feel the knife is already perfect, not
sure if a larger finger choil is going to make it that much better, but only time will tell :-)
 
Wavester said:
concerned because I feel the knife is already perfect, not sure if a larger finger choil is going to make it that much better, but only time will tell :-)
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I agree completely. I already love the Stretch as it is. Probably my all-time favorite FRN knife, along with Delica 4.
But can't always complain with progression. We shall see!
 
Wavester said:
Wow - Big news. I am sorta excited and concerned. Excited cause a new Stretch is coming out - concerned because I feel the knife is already perfect, not
sure if a larger finger choil is going to make it that much better, but only time will tell :-)
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SpeedHoles said:
I agree completely. I already love the Stretch as it is. Probably my all-time favorite FRN knife, along with Delica 4.
But can't always complain with progression. We shall see!
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If you haven't already seen it, you might want to check out this thread I posted on the Spyderco forum last June with photos and my observations after taking the Stretch 2 prototype for a test drive.
 
I'm in the market for a Stretch as well, but am having the same issue as most. So many variations and the new version coming out make choosing one a tough choice. I love my vg-10 Delica, but would prefer G-10 handles. On the flip side, not sure if the changes make up the large increase in price. For now I'll keep an eye out on the exchange for a deal.
 
Mgj48 said:
Actually considering another VG for hoarding I guess.
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I almost bought a second VG-10 Stretch for a backup since they're being discontinued, as well. When I looked the ZDP-189 was so close in price I went ahead and bought it instead. I like how it's solid ZDP, not a laminate. Now I've got Stretches in VG-10, Super Blue, and ZDP-189. I can't decide which one I like more. I carry a Stretch almost all the time now. Funny, because I don't particulary care for FRN.
 
The stretch has monopolized my EDC ever since I've gotten it. It's a perfect design. Tonight I'm pocketing a delica, just to give it some pocket time. I have a zdp endura on order. I like long bladed slicers because I use my knives for food prep a lot, for lunch and stuff. My other use is working in the yard, opening bags of dirt and stuff.

My main work knife is a dodo. It's all but useless except at work where it's an extention of my arm. I work in a lab so I frequently have to open a box of this, or a bag of that. Sometimes I use the tip to lift the edge of a label to see what's underneath.

The rest of the time it's slicers for me.
 
The VG10 Stretch is my pocket fishing knife for the surf. It had lots of contact with salt water last spring, but not a spot of rust. The early version of the knife, the Stretch 1, has fantastic ergonomics. It feels great in the hand. The ratio of blade to handle is excellent. I generally prefer a much smaller knife in my pocket, but this one comes out for a trip to the beach.
 
I have the Endura in VG-10 and FRN with steel liners. A great knife. I can only assume a similar Stretch would be a great knife as well. Never used ZDP-189, but I have several knives in VG-10 and really like the VG-10 steel a lot. If you think about it, a Delica, Stretch, and Endura would fill the gambit of different sizes for various tasks. I will probably get a Delica and Stretch FRN in VG-10 eventually.
 
I ordered the VG-10 Stretch about twenty minutes ago. I really wish I could get a color other than black, but wanted one that my body salt wouldn't bother.

Been looking at them for a while. Reminds me of the Bradley blade. Great looking, plus I wanted to try the flat grind.

Evany, are you still liking the Super Blue?
 
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I really, really like the Superblue. I'm a fan of VG 10 and ZDP as well, so it was a hard choice for me. But the Superblue is very pleasant to sharpen, seems to stay sharp well, and for some reason I can get it sharper than my other steels. Maybe it's my technique, or lack there of--I mostly sharpen freehand on Shapton Pro "stones," first the 1k and then the 5k. I have not had any issues with rust or pitting. The exposed Superblue has taken on a rather lovely gray patina and I like the look of the laminated blade more than I thought I would. I probably would prefer that it was solid SB, but no big deal. The Stretch itself has also become one of my favorite Spydies. I don't feel it at all in my pocket, yet the blade is plenty big-- the perfect size for my uses. Designwise it really is a home run: almost the size of the Delica with almost as much blade as the Endura. Just the right amount of belly. I carry my Para 2 more because I prefer the action and lock, and it's an awesome knife too, but the Stretch performs better for me and is more comfortable in the hand and in the pocket.

Almost forgot to add, the gray FRN is beautiful!
 
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