ZDP-189 Endura or MagnaCut for a gift knife

ZDP-189 or MagnaCut for a gift knife

  • ZDP-189 Endura

    Votes: 10 34.5%

  • MagnaCut knife

    Votes: 14 48.3%

  • Other

    Votes: 3 10.3%

  • Tell him I need to make space in my Large SpydePac organizer and just let him pick something out

    Votes: 2 6.9%
  • Total voters
    29
F

FearDoiteain

Joined
Jan 19, 2014
Messages
91
Yes, I know these steels are completely different animals but I am considering gifting a knife in one of them to an old friend. Back story is we were messaging about knives and sharpening and he's got a knife he just can't get sharp anymore. It's an older stainless S&W assisted model he got for work years ago because of aggressive grip and ease of one hand opening. My guess is it needs re-profiled, but I don't have it in hand to verify. He is retired now and uses it less, but I would like him to have something nice for when does need a knife. The conversation actually started because he had visited a new steak restaurant for a rare treat, and one of the details he noticed was they even paid attention to making sure the knife they gave was truly sharp to cut rather than tear the steak.

Originally I was thinking to get him something new in MagnaCut as it's an awesome blend of properties that can be low maintenance. But, then I got thinking that I have an extra ZDP-189 Endura collecting dust. It is very much NOT balanced steel, but my friend knows how to take care of stuff, he just tends not to spend much on himself.

ZDP-189 Pros: Very high edge retention, the carbides that is does have are chrome based so honing/light sharpening is doable with regular abrasives and some time, FREE (or at least no new cost)
ZDP-189 Cons: a LOT more brittle, a lot of the chrome is tied up in carbides so it'll corrode without at least moderate care

MagnaCut Pros: Awesome blend of properties, very tough and corrosion resistant for its level of edge retention
MagnaCut Cons: Somewhat less, but still very good edge retention, and I don't have an extra knife laying around in it 🤣

My thought is to catch up with him and do what I can to restore his older knife. I have a Ken Onion WorkSharp power sharpener, and their new top of line manual sharpener. Get it serviceable for beater duty, and then give him the ZDP-189 Endura for finer slicing work. The edge geometry improvement alone of an FFG Endura will probably thrill him, it should hold a nice edge for quite a while with his level of use, and he can do an occasional touch up without needing anything special.

Thoughts?
 
While I think your instincts are correct that the Magnacut blade would likely have the better overall mix of properties - particularly for one such as your friend who admittedly possesses some limitations in the sharpening department - no one is going to fault you for gifting him a folder that you already own. I see no issue whatsoever in proceeding down the ZDP route. It’s a damned nice gesture, if you ask me.
 
Yeah I'd say give him the knife you have, I assume it's full flat ground? If so, that knife is going to be the polar opposite of the Walmart knives he's used to, and he'll immediately notice difference in slicing ability. I experienced something similar early on when I got an FFG Delica based on the online rave reviews, despite the fact that I saw it as ugly, plasticky, and boring. After using it for a while, I understood why it had the reputation it did.

ZDP-189 isn't generally easy to sharpen, but with Spyderco's thin grind it will be quick and easy. You could always touch it up for him since you have the gear, and it should have the edge retention to hold it for a while.
 
My vote is for a steel that is easily sharpened and can keep it for a while (you name it, cpm154, s30v etc) and a nice diamond stone to carry around (fallkniven dc4 etc). Whatever gift you give will eventually become dull. I've never sharpened magnacut knives so I don't know but the zdp is a pain in the ass.
 
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I think the magnacut knife would be better for him because it's easier to sharpen, and easier to maintain with it's very high corrosion resistance. ZDP is kind of a specialized steel in my eyes, for more knife connoisseurs that know what to expect, how to take care of it and sharpen it, and know it's benefits and limitations. That said, you could always just teach him all that and recommend a diamond stone for him. He'll probably come to you anyway when it needs a real sharpening haha.
 
Tsujigiri said:
Yeah I'd say give him the knife you have, I assume it's full flat ground? If so, that knife is going to be the polar opposite of the Walmart knives he's used to, and he'll immediately notice difference in slicing ability. I experienced something similar early on when I got an FFG Delica based on the online rave reviews, despite the fact that I saw it as ugly, plasticky, and boring. After using it for a while, I understood why it had the reputation it did.

ZDP-189 isn't generally easy to sharpen, but with Spyderco's thin grind it will be quick and easy. You could always touch it up for him since you have the gear, and it should have the edge retention to hold it for a while.
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It is FFG and that change in geometry definitely something that would be immediately apparent, and one of the reasons I began to think about what I have on hand. And I agree one of the reasons I tend not to carry my FRN handled Spydies is that they tend to feel a bit “cheap” to me. For him though, he’s much more of a function over form person, and may appreciate the lighter weight of it.
 
LimpCroissant said:
I think the magnacut knife would be better for him because it's easier to sharpen, and easier to maintain with it's very high corrosion resistance. ZDP is kind of a specialized steel in my eyes, for more knife connoisseurs that know what to expect, how to take care of it and sharpen it, and know it's benefits and limitations. That said, you could always just teach him all that and recommend a diamond stone for him. He'll probably come to you anyway when it needs a real sharpening haha.
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Valid points. He’s got some carbon steel kitchen knives if memory serves, so taking care of the corrosion shouldn’t be new to him. But knowing him, he’d actually probably enjoy learning the uniqueness of ZDP.
 
whereismyknife said:
My vote is for a steel that is easily sharpened and can keep it for a while (you name it, cpm154, s30v etc) and a nice diamond stone to carry around (fallkniven dc4 etc). Whatever gift you give will eventually become dull. I've never sharpened magnacut knives so I don't know but the zdp is a pain in the ass.
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Great, I hadn’t run across that pocket stone before, and now I’m shopping for 2🤣.

I can look at what else I may have handy in a more middle of the road steel. I work insane amounts of OT, and will set a bit aside to treat myself (after bills, extra retirement savings/college savings for kid/traveling etc). The last few years has significantly grown my collection but also limited my time at home to use some of them.

The ZDP popped to mind because it’s unique, but also because of an accidental duplication of ordering ending me up with one for me to try some, and one that’s still in the box.
 
Super nice gesture on your part. Endura’s are great knives. Mine are VG10 and take a very keen edge while tolerating rain/snow up here. I only have one Magnacut knife and it has been awesome.

I think a gift that was owned by a friend has more sentimental value than a new one. Either route you go will be great, and I am sure he will be grateful.
 
FearDoiteain said:
Great, I hadn’t run across that pocket stone before, and now I’m shopping for 2🤣.

I can look at what else I may have handy in a more middle of the road steel. I work insane amounts of OT, and will set a bit aside to treat myself (after bills, extra retirement savings/college savings for kid/traveling etc). The last few years has significantly grown my collection but also limited my time at home to use some of them.

The ZDP popped to mind because it’s unique, but also because of an accidental duplication of ordering ending me up with one for me to try some, and one that’s still in the box.
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I am sure you will be satisfied. I have been using it regularly for a long time. It allows me to sharpen my blade with razor sharpness anywhere. LimpCroissant LimpCroissant is quite right about zdp. Of course, it is a beautiful gift, but all gifts with such kindness in their background are beautiful.
 
I think Endura is the wrong answer unless he said he likes a long blade. They’re just too long for EDC, IMO.

Sell your Endura and use the proceeds to buy a Delica, Leaf Jumper or Native for him.

I do like your plan to sharpen his old S&W for him, as a side thing.

If you decide to go that route, I have a Delica in VG-10 with the sky blue handle that is available…
 
Smaug said:
I think Endura is the wrong answer unless he said he likes a long blade. They’re just too long for EDC, IMO.

Sell your Endura and use the proceeds to buy a Delica, Leaf Jumper or Native for him.

I do like your plan to sharpen his old S&W for him, as a side thing.

If you decide to go that route, I have a Delica in VG-10 with the sky blue handle that is available…
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Fair point, and you would have no way to know this, but he and I both have very large hands.

He and I were partners working security in a hospital for a long time (like many firefighters I had one or more part time jobs for most of my career so far), and we always made sure to keep spare gloves with us as a lot of the nurses/CNAs tended to have much smaller hands and sometimes forgot to restock the largest size gloves we both needed.

I just looked back at the model he sent me in our discussion and the blade length on Endura is just under a half an inch longer, but it’s about 35% lighter and thinner, so would probably ride as well or better in the pocket.

And while MD hasn’t always had the best gun laws, there’s at least not a blade length limit for folding knives.
 
I appreciate everyone’s replies so far. I just added a new response option, just letting him pick something out of my knife organizer to open up a slot for some of the knives that can’t fit 🤣. It’s a large SpyderPac about half filled with Spyderco, 10 ish Benchmades, several ZTs, a few S35VN Cold Steel, and the odd other brand.

If I were to buy in MagnaCut, I’m kinda thinking a Hogue Doug Ritter RSK. I have one in 20CV from before the steel switch and it’s been great. The handle can be a little aggressive, but he actually sought that in his last knife, and he said he didn’t have issues with pocket wear. They seem to be pretty easy to sand lightly if that ever does become an issue though.
 
FearDoiteain said:
I appreciate everyone’s replies so far. I just added a new response option, just letting him pick something out of my knife organizer to open up a slot for some of the knives that can’t fit 🤣. It’s a large SpyderPac about half filled with Spyderco, 10 ish Benchmades, several ZTs, a few S35VN Cold Steel, and the odd other brand.

If I were to buy in MagnaCut, I’m kinda thinking a Hogue Doug Ritter RSK. I have one in 20CV from before the steel switch and it’s been great. The handle can be a little aggressive, but he actually sought that in his last knife, and he said he didn’t have issues with pocket wear. They seem to be pretty easy to sand lightly if that ever does become an issue though.
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I understand that you and your friend are very close, but imo I still do not find this last idea appropriate. There's a fine line between giving a gift and a donation, and this idea blurs that line.
 
IMO the choice is kinda edge retention vs stain resistance
If he knows how to take care of his knife, he should be able to get the best of ZDP and to enjoy it

Magnacut is great and I would prefer magnacut for myself but as a gift it is too “balanced” IMO.
 
whereismyknife said:
I understand that you and your friend are very close, but imo I still do not find this last idea appropriate. There's a fine line between giving a gift and a donation, and this idea blurs that line.
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That was probably only a half formed idea, and I appreciate your feedback. I was more thinking instead of trying to guess what he'd like best, maybe let him check out the variety of knives I have with things he may not have come across before. As in axis lock, frame lock, compression lock, manual flipper vs assisted, G10 vs Micarta handles, CF and titanium, and a variety of blade lengths from 3" to 4". Possibly have a few different knives that covered most of that out for me to sharpen also while I have my stuff out to work on his. And if he happened to like the Endura, or something similar to another couple knives that haven't made it into carry rotation that I have sitting, he could have that.
 
FearDoiteain said:
That was probably only a half formed idea, and I appreciate your feedback. I was more thinking instead of trying to guess what he'd like best, maybe let him check out the variety of knives I have with things he may not have come across before. As in axis lock, frame lock, compression lock, manual flipper vs assisted, G10 vs Micarta handles, CF and titanium, and a variety of blade lengths from 3" to 4". Possibly have a few different knives that covered most of that out for me to sharpen also while I have my stuff out to work on his. And if he happened to like the Endura, or something similar to another couple knives that haven't made it into carry rotation that I have sitting, he could have that.
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Damn man, you're such a nice and kind person.
 
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