ZDP-189 Blades

Knife Outlet · Sep 15, 2010

marcangel said:
The man asked about fixed blades! William Henry kitchen knives are the only I know of. I would NOT buy a fixed ZDP-189, unless it was laminated or a composite. The steel is very brittle and as pointed out not very impact resistant. It makes for a great slicer, but little else. The WH kitchen knives are laminated.

There are several kitchen knives made from ZDP. Even Henckels makes them in Japan. They are called the M66 series.

cbwx34 · Sep 15, 2010

Kershaw made the Shallot w/ ZDP-189 also.

cbw

JNewell · Sep 15, 2010

dsmegst said:
Well, ZDP-189 Mule is the only one I know of. And even that turned into a mess. ZDP-189 is just not good fixed blade material.

Yes, but I'm not sure that was inherent in the fixed blade design. I understood from Taz's posts that there was something seriously wrong either with the particular lot of steel used or with the heat treat/annealing process. (?)

dsmegst · Sep 15, 2010

JNewell said:
Yes, but I'm not sure that was inherent in the fixed blade design. I understood from Taz's posts that there was something seriously wrong either with the particular lot of steel used or with the heat treat/annealing process. (?)

Granted.

I'm not implying anything about Spyderco and the circumstance they had to deal with. My impression from the experience is that ZDP is tricky to work with, especially when it comes to fixed blades.

The fault seems to be with Hitachi for not getting the chemistry right and in the end, if I remember correctly, Spyderco offered to refund everyone.

My point is that this particular alloy is tough to work with. Even for Hitachi.

It's no wonder there's such a limited number of makers willing to use it.

Vicarious Reality · Sep 15, 2010

JTR357 said:
This one looks pretty bad-ass.
http://cgi.ebay.com/G-Sakai-KITANO-...704?pt=Collectible_Knives&hash=item230933f270

Nice
I wish i had something like a Fällkniven F1 in ZDP-189

JNewell · Sep 15, 2010

dsmegst said:
Granted. I'm not implying anything about Spyderco and the circumstance they had to deal with. My impression from the experience is that ZDP is tricky to work with, especially when it comes to fixed blades.

The fault seems to be with Hitachi for not getting the chemistry right and in the end, if I remember correctly, Spyderco offered to refund everyone.

My point is that this particular alloy is tough to work with. Even for Hitachi. It's no wonder there's such a limited number of makers willing to use it.

Totally agree and didn't mean to be seeming to do otherwise. Another factor is that it seems to be available in limited thickness bladestock.

On the Mule, I don't think I ever really got clarity on whether they were all "defective" or whether it was just some unknown and unknowable portion of the run.

DennisStrickland · Sep 15, 2010

the info i got on the zdp mule was some turned out good but spydie started getting others with glitches & sal offered refunds to interested parties & said the mule run was discontinued. all this is from a distant memory & i would'nt take it to the bank.
dennis

JTR357 · Sep 15, 2010

Vicarious Reality said:
Nice
I wish i had something like a Fällkniven F1 in ZDP-189

I was watching that one for awhile.I would've bought it if it was a little less.
$400. seemed too much & I didn't really like the sheath that it came with.

Adamsvincent · Mar 21, 2014

kitano an sakai g are also makers with this steel zpd189

dkb45 · Mar 21, 2014

The only reasonably priced ZDP knives I know of are Spyderco. They have a total monopoly on the awesome steel for dirt cheap market. Kershaw has made a few (I think a Whirlwind, I know the Leek and 350, and apparently the Blur), and around or over the $300 mark there is William Henry and AG Russell. ZDP is not a common steel.

I'm sure Mcusta and Moki have ZDP models being native Japan companies.

Sonnydaze · Mar 21, 2014

dalefuller said:
Other than Spydercos & WH, A G Russell's Acies is the only regular production folder that comes to mind.

I have the Acies 2, which has a ZDP blade of 2.99 inches. Beautiful knife, but have not carried it. I enjoy carrying my large Sebbie or Zaan all of the time...spider-trails and all. They are comfortable, completely renewable (Spa) and very nearly perfect.

RamZar · Mar 21, 2014

Al Mar has several folders in ZDP-189.

CJZ · Mar 21, 2014

http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/s...89 Steel&brand=128&min_price=0&max_price=500&

Gator97 · Mar 21, 2014

RamZar said:
Al Mar has several folders in ZDP-189.

I've tried to search, and there's 2 versions of 5HDET folder, anything else?

RamZar · Mar 21, 2014

Gator97 said:
I've tried to search, and there's 2 versions of 5HDET folder, anything else?

Al Mar Eagle Heavy Duty in Laminated ZDP-189 seems to be it and it comes or came in three versions: black, brown and orange G-10. I don't know if they're all available. Orange is exclusive to a shop that sells cutlery.