ZDP-189 edge chipping test:

J

jimnolimit

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Oct 28, 2009
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*disclaimer: i went into this test willing to except responsibility for ruining/damaging my knife and/or myself. if anyone tries to recreate this test they must also except that responsibility. the endura 4 both ZDP-189 and VG-10 are NOT DESIGNED OR INTENDED FOR HARD USE/ABUSE.*

(post #55, i added another test where i cut a sneaker into many pieces.)


i just took my ZDP-189 spyderco endura 4 FFG and put a 18-20 degree angle (per side) edge on it. here are the pics of the edge before and after cutting up a coffee can.

all close-up pics of the edge are taken on my microscope at about 40x-50x. i used a marker to section off a part of the blade to i could scope the same spot each time.


here is the edge right after i sharpened it, before i used it to cut:

ZDP-189
ZDPcancutedgebefore.jpg




this is what i first cut with the knife. i believe i did 7 cut to take the top off of the can:

ZDP-189
ZDPcancut.jpg




here is the edge after those cuts:

ZDP-189
ZDPcancutedgeafter.jpg




here is a pic of the tip after cutting the can (sorry i didn't take a before pic of the tip):

ZDP-189
ZDPcancuttipafter.jpg




i then decided to cut the whole can in half (i believe i used 12 cuts):

ZDPcancutinhalf.jpg




here is the edge after both cuts (notice the marker is almost worn off):

ZDP-189
ZDPcancutinhalfafter.jpg




here is the tip after both cuts:

ZDP-189
ZDPcancutinhalftipafter.jpg
 
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That looks pretty good to me. The lesson I'm getting here is using the right bevel angle for the right jobs.
 
I'd say it held up nicely given that there's no good reason to cut up a can other than to post it on a forum like this. Next time I'm fighting off zombie coffee cans, I'll know which steel to reach for. Thanks for the pics:thumbup:

BTW, could you try this with some other steels so there's something to compare to?
 
Nice test. I was reading the "Optimum Edge Holding" thread and followed it hear...Now I'm kind thinking about getting a ZDP189 blade...maybe the AG Russell Acies.
 
Kaizen1 said:
I'd say it held up nicely given that there's no good reason to cut up a can other than to post it on a forum like this. Next time I'm fighting off zombie coffee cans, I'll know which steel to reach for. Thanks for the pics:thumbup:

BTW, could you try this with some other steels so there's something to compare to?
Click to expand...

i'll cut up a coffee can with my spyderco para2 S30V blade later on today.
 
jimnolimit said:
no the edge didn't roll.

taking a pic of the edge straight on is nearly impossible for me. here is the edge (tilted), magnified at about 375X:
Click to expand...
Hmm, looks a bit like micro-chipping, and I'd expect at least that level of damage no matter how super the steel is. Though I think it's fair to say that the steel will do well in a knife so long as it's kept to whatever a knife is supposed to be used for.
 
singularity35 said:
BTW, how dull was the knife after? Still cuts paper? Duller?
Click to expand...

the knife would push cut newspaper against the grain before the test. after the test, slice cutting newspaper with the grain is a little difficult and cutting newspaper against the grain is not really possible, somewhat if i use a sawing motion. the knife still goes through cardboard easily and it would probably take me about 30 seconds to get this knife close to/at the sharpness i started with.

ZDP2cancut.jpg
 
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Noctis3880 said:
Hmm, looks a bit like micro-chipping, and I'd expect at least that level of damage no matter how super the steel is. Though I think it's fair to say that the steel will do well in a knife so long as it's kept to whatever a knife is supposed to be used for.
Click to expand...


Agreed but it's also nice to know how the steel does just in case.
 
jimnolimit said:
the knife would push cut newspaper against the grain before the test. after the test, slice cutting newspaper with the grain is a little difficult and cutting newspaper against the grain is not really possible, somewhat if i use a sawing motion. the knife still goes through cardboard easily and i would probably take me about 30 seconds to get this knife close to/at the sharpness i started with.

ZDP2cancut.jpg
Click to expand...

That's pretty good. Thanks for the reply.
 
Kaizen1 said:
That would be cool. Are you going to put the same edge on it or are these factory edges?
Click to expand...

i don't own a knife that still has the factory edge ;).

i'll use the same stones and approximately the same angle on my para 2 that i used on this endura 4.
 
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Noctis3880 said:
Hmm, looks a bit like micro-chipping, and I'd expect at least that level of damage no matter how super the steel is. Though I think it's fair to say that the steel will do well in a knife so long as it's kept to whatever a knife is supposed to be used for.
Click to expand...

singularity35 said:
Agreed but it's also nice to know how the steel does just in case.
Click to expand...

yeah, there is a bit of micro-chipping, but it's really only noticeable at higher than 50x magnification. like you said, i expect any steel with this blade geometry to sustain some micro damage after cutting up a coffee can.


it's always nice to know what a blade is capable of. i won't do a destruction test (im not going to destroy one of my perfectly good knives), but risking chipping/ruining an edge doesn't bother me.
 
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Thanks for those great images. I have a ZDP-189 Endura FFG on the way. It is nice to know just how well it will keep an edge.
 
very good edge retension, i see no problem with the edge after a strenuous workout. zdp seems to work well in regular pocket knives.--dennis
 
I've been impressed with my Acies - the steel seems to do well.

Thanks for taking the time to do the test - I appreciate someone posting real world results rather than speculation.
 
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