ZDP-189 knives?

Comeuppance

Comeuppance

Fixed Blade EDC Emisssary
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Jan 12, 2013
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I'm in the market for a ZDP-189 knife, but I'd rather it not be a lockback and it can't have a blade over 3.5in. My search would be over if the ZDP Lum Chinese was still available, but, alas.

What are some options for someone in that position? Who else makes non-lockback ZDP-189 knives for under 200 bucks?
 
The ZT0350 can be found with a ZDP-189 blade, but may be just a hair over $200. Kershaw has done a few knives in ZDP-189, but ya gotta hunt em down. The Shallot, Blur, Leek, and Mini Cyclone were all offered in ZDP-189 at one time or another.
 
William Henry has some of their lower end (EDC) models with EDC but I think they start at $250. You should check their website. I have several of their higher end ZDP knives and they are hardened to 67 yet I have yet to have a chip or other problem. They really hold their edge. I believe WH uses the same Hitachi ZDP-189 that Rockstead uses.
 
All ZDP-189 is Hitachi steel, it is proprietary. The William Henry EDC models use D2.
 
Tony8179 said:
The ZT0350 can be found with a ZDP-189 blade, but may be just a hair over $200. Kershaw has done a few knives in ZDP-189, but ya gotta hunt em down. The Shallot, Blur, Leek, and Mini Cyclone were all offered in ZDP-189 at one time or another.
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Those Kershaws are all that came to my mind also. Very limited though so I didn't even say anything.

Also, after reading the first post, I had a feeling Locutus was going to bring up William Henry :D

I'm into ZDP's and mine are all lockbacks- Spydercos obviously. I'm so used to it now, handling it has become second nature. I know that not everyone is into lockbacks- Spydercos blade profiles on their ZDP's, and price ranges are good reasons to try and get used to the lock. It just might become a non issue for you if u try.
 
My Acies is on the way... I'm not a Kershaw fan, in fact, I own 0 Kershaws out of ... many knives.. but this Acies looks awesome and I really like unusual steels... so I'm excited to test the cutting/slicing compared to REX121 and T1...

But yeah, under $200? No clue. GL in your search!
 
FCM415 said:
Those Kershaws are all that came to my mind also. Very limited though so I didn't even say anything.

Also, after reading the first post, I had a feeling Locutus was going to bring up William Henry :D

I'm into ZDP's and mine are all lockbacks- Spydercos obviously. I'm so used to it now, handling it has become second nature. I know that not everyone is into lockbacks- Spydercos blade profiles on their ZDP's, and price ranges are good reasons to try and get used to the lock. It just might become a non issue for you if u try.
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I have no problem with lockbacks - Spyderco's lockbacks tend to have up and down play, though :/
 
If you look really hard, you can find some older william Henry stuff with zdp that's affordable. I dint know about under 200 but definitely under 400.
 
Al Mar has some ZDP backlocks worth checking out then.

As far as the play, I'm a stickler for it myself. What I can't stand is that wiggle, up/down or side to side. The play on backlocks is when you pull the blade up and you see the lock give some slack. From what I understand, that blade-play is present in all lockbacks because of its design. Mines has that I suppose but like I said, I can't stand play myself but it's not the wiggle blade-play we see in Axis locks, liner locks etc. some which I've had seemingly impossible play to fix myself.
 
sloth357 said:
My Acies is on the way... I'm not a Kershaw fan, in fact, I own 0 Kershaws out of ... many knives.. but this Acies looks awesome and I really like unusual steels... so I'm excited to test the cutting/slicing compared to REX121 and T1...

But yeah, under $200? No clue. GL in your search!
Click to expand...

I don't know if this was ever put out there for the masses, but the AG Russell Acies was, in fact, silently produced by Kershaw.
 
My William Henry EDC's all use laminated ZDP-189 blades hardened to 67 HRC. Some of the cores are coated with stainless Damascus, others with 410 stainless.
 
My ZDP Endura's have about 1 mil up/down play, easy to live with. Kershaw did make a composite Blur with ZDP. Kershawguy had blems at one time, but that was quite awhile back. There are currently a bunch of well priced Spyderco's in ZDP on the bay.
 
Being a ZDP junkie, Kershaw also made a CB LE Shallot with a ZDP edge. As for the Acies and Acies 2, if you ever get the chance to grab one of the now-discontinued full size Acies, jump on it. I actually prefer these to my Sebenzas. A full blade of ZDP with a Ti framelock? What's not to love...



And just for fun, Kershaw Ti/ZDP Mini Cyclone and the full size Acies.

 
G Sakai makes a SAK style folder with ZDP blades. I believe it's called the Fieldman Trekking Tool. Not sure if you want a slipjoint, but I think itonly runs about $90.
 
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