ZDP-189, the new super steel?

harkamus · Jul 22, 2009

Discuss.

Since I have not been able to obtain an 806; I was thinking an 806 AFCK in ZDP-189 would be awesome. Otherwise I would love to see in this steel would be the Benchmade 710, Spyderco Manix 2, Chris Reeve Mnandi, maybe a badass Alsdorf single blade doctor slippy, ZT 0350 (I'm partial to liner locks over framelocks unless the framelock is done like the Mnandi; looks thing for me), Brian Tighe Coon (maybe when I am able to commission a knife from him I can inquire about the ZDP-189), and a Kirby Lambert knife whoe name alludes me atm.

gunmike1 · Jul 22, 2009

It's been around a while, and I find it to be an excellent steel for pocket knives, at least as done by Spyderco. All 4 of my ZDP-189 knives are by Spyderco, and all take sub 10 degree per side edges with ease, get extremely sharp with minimal burring while taking an extreme (.05 micron) polish, and all have excellent edge retention. I haven't had any chipping of note, just excellent performance in excellent knives. The upcoming Stretch ZDP/FRN model should retail for about $105, and would be a GREAT way to get to know ZDP 189 in a folder. My Stretch 2 CF is truly great but pricey, and the FRN model will offer the same or better ergos and lighter weight for much less money. It is truly going to be IMO the best performance EDC blade value out there. another cheap option for unreal performance is a Delica or Endura ZDP that you can send in to Tom Krein for a regring to a .010" edge on a full flat grind. The ZDP Mule fixed blade at $80 shipped is another great deal, but it needs handles and a sheath added.

Mike

Josh K · Jul 22, 2009

Not sure how "new" it is, but it is great for extremely acute edges and edge retention.

SPXTrader · Jul 22, 2009

I've had a Kershaw Mini Cyclone all dressed up in a Ti framelock and ZDP in my pocket most days for over 2 years now. A wonderful steel that will take a stupid sharp edge, and hold it a long time, too.

To date the best steel I've used.

nozh2002 · Jul 23, 2009

harkamus said:
Discuss.

Since I have not been able to obtain an 806; I was thinking an 806 AFCK in ZDP-189 would be awesome. Otherwise I would love to see in this steel would be the Benchmade 710, Spyderco Manix 2, Chris Reeve Mnandi, maybe a badass Alsdorf single blade doctor slippy, ZT 0350 (I'm partial to liner locks over framelocks unless the framelock is done like the Mnandi; looks thing for me), Brian Tighe Coon (maybe when I am able to commission a knife from him I can inquire about the ZDP-189), and a Kirby Lambert knife whoe name alludes me atm.

ZDP first came in 2005 or 2004 by W&H. And then Sal Glesser make it awailable for everybody August 2005 with Callipso Jr. and several other limited runs and Endura and Delica production and then Kershaw came with few limited runs - Leek and Mini Cyclone (one of my favorite knife). No other manufacturers used it, to my knowledge.

I think first was Japanese elite Rocksted knives. Bet before Hitachi ZDP189 it was CovryX and Hattory produced few high priced models.

So this is not new steel. But it is Japanese Hitachi steel and companies which does not have good connection to Japane does not have this steel available. Now it is only Spyderco using it in production (may be W&H but this company is out of my scope, my price range).

Thanks, Vassili.

SPXTrader · Jul 23, 2009

nozh2002 said:
Now it is only Spyderco using it in production (may be W&H but this company is out of my scope, my price range).

Thanks, Vassili.

Wrong! Kershaw is still using it in their composite blade sprint runs.

THG · Jul 23, 2009

It probably won't be used by Benchmade. I don't think they make any knives in Japan.

Ken44 · Jul 23, 2009

THG said:
It probably won't be used by Benchmade. I don't think they make any knives in Japan.

Its used here in the states also, not only in Japan.

T.K.C. · Jul 23, 2009

I LOVE my ZDP-189 knives!! I have 3 customs with it, and they ARE the sharpest knives I own, bar none.

Knivesandgear.com · Jul 23, 2009

A buddy of mine bought a Spyderco knife from me that was the ZDP-189. To be honest, I used to love the high carbon hard steels. But I have to admitt, the older I get the more I'm starting to see the value in a MUCH less expensive steel with a moderate amount of carbon.
Those knives just seem easier to sharpen, and still retain an edge pretty darn good.

I agree with an article I was reading on A.G. Russell's about this very subject. He compares high carbon/dollar steel with the lower cost steel. Pretty interesting.

Hey, don't get me wrong though, you just can't beat good quality!

THG · Jul 23, 2009

Ken44 said:
Its used here in the states also, not only in Japan.

In what knives? I thought the maker of ZDP-189 requires that a certain Japanese company make the knives because it needs a special "secret" heat treat or something like that.

Foxj · Jul 23, 2009

I think william Henry is the only Company that make knifes in ZDP-189 and they are nice! also i think WH hardenes the steel to like 67 RC

Josh K · Jul 23, 2009

Ken44 said:
Its used here in the states also, not only in Japan.

IIRC it was a proprietory steel, the composition isn't fully known, and only knives made in Japan have access to it.

Foxj said:
I think william Henry is the only Company that make knifes in ZDP-189 and they are nice! also i think WH hardenes the steel to like 67 RC

No, Spyderco and Kershaw both have models in that steel.

nozh2002 · Jul 23, 2009

SPXTrader said:
Wrong! Kershaw is still using it in their composite blade sprint runs.

Wrong! Kershaw is not using it in their production runs.

Thanks, Vassili.

nozh2002 · Jul 23, 2009

THG said:
In what knives? I thought the maker of ZDP-189 requires that a certain Japanese company make the knives because it needs a special "secret" heat treat or something like that.

No! No! No! Somebody start this to get advantage on the market. I was ablet to get ZDP189 in2005 and reported it here, and several custom makers was able to do this as well and Bos did HT for some of them.

ZDP189 is made by Hitachi - why this public company will limit their sales?

You can buy it from here -

http://www.hatta.co.jp/price.html

They refuse to deal with me until I learn Japanese, but otherwise there is no any limits.

Thanks, Vassili.

P.S. While composition is not fully disclosed it is not a secret for someone how has proper equipment.
I am very sure that all this talks about hard to get - is just to make US makers not to use it. But there
is no any limitations - you can buy it and HT by yourself, HT BTW pretty same as for ATS34.

Josh K · Jul 23, 2009

nozh2002 said:
No! No! No! Somebody start this to get advantage on the market. I was ablet to get ZDP189 in2005 and reported it here, and several custom makers was able to do this as well and Bos did HT for some of them.

ZDP189 is made by Hitachi - why this public company will limit their sales?

You can buy it from here -

http://www.hatta.co.jp/price.html

They refuse to deal with me until I learn Japanese, but otherwise there is no any limits.

Thanks, Vassili.

I thought it was similar to VG-10, in only Japan made knives.

I do remember your complaint about having to learn Japanese to order it though.

tjsulli790 · Jul 23, 2009

It's just more cost effective to have a knife made from Japanese steel made in Japan, where they already have a large stock of it. You could have a U.S. made knife made from ZDP189 but it just wouldn't be able to compete (price wise) with the Seki made knives. Which is probably why it is only seen in L.E. runs or the Japanese made knives.

svrider3 · Jul 23, 2009

SPXTrader said:
Wrong! Kershaw is still using it in their composite blade sprint runs.

nozh2002 said:
Wrong! Kershaw is not using it in their production runs.

Thanks, Vassili.

Wrong!! Brad said in there CB sprint runs, not production runs.
Read what is written before you reply. Really, it just makes you
look silly, Vassilli.

nozh2002 · Jul 23, 2009

svrider3 said:
Wrong!! Brad said in there CB sprint runs, not production runs.
Read what is written before you reply. Really, it just makes you
look silly, Vassilli.

Yes and I was talking in my first post which got that replay from him about production runs.

nozh2002 said:
Now it is only Spyderco using it in production

See this last word there - PRODUCTION. His replaywas -

SPXTrader said:
Wrong! Kershaw is still using it in their composite blade sprint runs.

So you and he probably should pay some attention before replaying this way.

Does Kershaw has any production runs with ZDP189? No! And never did. One more time "Now it is only Spyderco using it in production". What is wrong with this?

Thanks Vassili.

Kershaw mafia telling me not to look silly... How ironic!

SPXTrader · Jul 23, 2009

nozh2002 said:
Yes and I was talking in my first post which got that replay from him about production runs.

Show me where you mentioned standard production runs. I referenced sprint runs. All you said was production:

nozh2002 said:
Now it is only Spyderco using it in production (may be W&H but this company is out of my scope, my price range).

nozh2002 said:
See this last word there - PRODUCTION.

Production WHAT?!? Broadway production?

Josh K said:
No, Spyderco and Kershaw both have models in that steel.

What, no snide remarks about this statement?

If you can't fully express your thoughts, learn.

Meh, enough of you. For this I must ignore you put on.