Zdp-189 vs. Vg-10

bd51

bd51

Joined
Jun 15, 2010
Messages
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I am thinking about selling my VG-10 Stretch and getting a ZDP-189 version. I do not have any ZDP knives but I have a bunch of VG-10 knives and I want to change things up a bit. How much better ZDP? Is it worth getting?

Also, how is the edge retention compared to S30V? Is there any chipping issues due to the high RC?

Thanks
 
There will be a noticable difference in edge retention over VG-10, but with that comes added work sharpening when it needs to be sharpened.

It should be better than S30V depending on materials being cut and usually it is, but S30V is more agressive.
 
I like VG-10 a lot but ZDP-189 is one of my favorites. I've personally never experienced any chipping and mine have always held its edge better than S30v. I say go for it.
 
I think I will go for it. I also really like the British Racing Green handles on all the ZDP Spydies.
 
bd51 said:
I think I will go for it. I also really like the British Racing Green handles on all the ZDP Spydies.
Click to expand...

My ZDP Stretch has a blue handle.

Edit: Ahhh, it looks as though they discontinued the blue handle and replaced it with green.
 
bd51 said:
I am thinking about selling my VG-10 Stretch and getting a ZDP-189 version. I do not have any ZDP knives but I have a bunch of VG-10 knives and I want to change things up a bit. How much better ZDP? Is it worth getting?

Also, how is the edge retention compared to S30V? Is there any chipping issues due to the high RC?

Thanks
Click to expand...

ZDP-189 is much better. I see no difference in sharpening, but I am using DMT. CPM S30V pretty average steel and ZDP189 is on the top.
Problem with ZDP - Spyderco can not keep quality consistent, probably having it from different knifemaking shops in Japan and sometime it came overhardened - I saw nuber of reports on this. However, I noticed that Lum Cinese I have chipping initially, stop doing this in a year. I do not know is it due to aging effect or it was because brittle part of it were sharpened out, but now it is my best performer.

Thanks, Vassili.

ZDP-189 is PM steel.
 
zdp is a big step up from vg10. if you know how to use a knife chipping will never be a problem.the ffg enduras are really good.--dennis
 
For edge retention, ZDP-189>S30V>VG-10. For corrosion resistance, VG-10>S30V>ZDP189. For toughness, I think it's S30V>VG-10>ZDP-189, but not 100% sure on that one.
 
RandomAyes said:
Is ZDP a PM steel?
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That depends on how you define "steel". It uses powder metal technology, but the carbon content is higher than the classic definition of steel. By classic definitions, it is actually cast iron. Time to update the definitions.

I like ZDP-189. You give up some toughness and a little corrosion resistence, but you gain a lot of wear resistence due to the very high hardness. It sure feels weird to sharpen until you get used to it, though.
 
When you make cast iron, the metal is heated over a period of time and the Carbon migrates into puddles. There are no Carbon puddles in ZDP 189. In fact the physical structure of the alloy is flash frozen in the manufacturing process to yield a fine, uniform grain structure. Cast iron has a low hardness and a good impact resistance. ZDP 189 has a high hardness and a somewhat lower resistance to impacts.
 
I didn't like ZDP-189. I had this steel in a Delica and in an Endura. At least for cutting cardboard, this steel couldn't hold an edge at all. I would sharpen it to a perfect edge with a DMT Aligner clamp (it took a VERY sharp edge, by the way), and then I took it to a cardboard box. After a couple of cuts, the edge was COMPLETELY dead. It wouldn't take enamel off of my fingernail.

I realize that I could have gotten 2 lemons. It's possible that both of these examples had problems, but I'm just reporting my experience as it happened.

On the other hand, and I've told this particular story many times before, I was cutting on a couple occasions and accidentally whacked the edge against a metal dumpster. I was expecting a nice ding in the edge that would take a while to get out, but to my amazement, there was no visible damage at all.

Also, the blade doesn't scratch very easily, so it will look nice for a long time.

Overall, I would not recommend ZDP-189 over VG-10.
 
thg certainly is welcome to voice his zdp experience. my zdp usage on cardboard, haystring at ranch, & everyday usage in my carpet cleaning industry totally negates our forum buddys opinion. not to start a argument but the vast performance reports of zdp certainly do'nt agree with THGS. i repeat all opinions are certainly welcome regardless of validity.--dennis
 
In my use, I would rate ZDP higher than VG-10. But since all ZDP knives are generally high-priced items, I tend to limit my use to moderate cutting tasks.

My Stretch 2 in ZDP cut cardboard fairly well, but I can say the same for VG-10. I find that blade profile is more important than steel type when cutting cardboard.
 
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