ZDP-189 vs VG-10

T

tonijedi

Joined
Sep 21, 2009
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So here it is my second Delica... this time a ZDP-189 at a remarkable 64 HRC :eek:

Am I going to feel a big difference to my other Delica, FFG VG-10?
Does anyone noticed a big difference in use?
And what about sharpening?

I'm addicted on these ones... I'll get a combo edge and fully serrated on the next months I guess...
 
YES, you will feel a big difference if you do serious cutting. Not so much if you just use your knife to open an occasional envelope.
 
knarfeng said:
YES, you will feel a big difference if you do serious cutting. Not so much if you just use your knife to open an occasional envelope.
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So far I opened 3 envelopes! That's serious cutting already :D And all in the same day I got it... damn!

Yeah, I dulled my VG-10 blade some times already, I'll see how this one will behave on EDC (office tasks, cut some plastic binders, use it on lunch time when the knife at the cantina sucks...) and wood whittling and carving.
 
zdp 189 is a nice steel but it is quite difficult to sharpen.

For your needs that you listed it sounds like vg-10 is more than adequate, vg-10 is quite a nice steel.
If you want to branch out and get a new knife have you thought about checking out different models also? You might notice the difference in the steel (at least when you try and sharpen it you will) but I think you're more likely to notice and enjoy a new handle and blade configuration more. :D
 
I have more knives, even from Spyderco, including a fantastic Para2... but these Delicas damn, they're something special!

I'm sure VG-10 is enough for most people's needs, even the SAK's steels is enough, or Mora's. But I'm a knifenut... love different steels and grinds and whatever makes me think about knives!
 
Try a G10 Delica. There's just something awesome about the G10 Endura & Delica that's hard to pin down. They're just classy & solid. You need to hold one. I have the others & there is a difference. They're almost Al Mar-ish.
 
jeffphansen77 said:
Try a G10 Delica. There's just something awesome about the G10 Endura & Delica that's hard to pin down. They're just classy & solid. You need to hold one. I have the others & there is a difference. They're almost Al Mar-ish.
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I hope one day I will... but they cost the double of a FRN Delica, even the ZDP-189 version was cheaper :S
 
For time's sake, try to make sure you don't lose that edge completely. Just keep it touched up frequently and you may never have to fully sharpen it. And if you do, you may wish you didn't lose the edge because you'll be spending a couple hours on it getting it back ;)
 
I love ZDP-189, I sharpen it up in around 5mins on the belts but if your freehanding it might prove more of a challenge so keep it stropped so that you never have to reset the edge again.

Congrats on your purchase!
 
jeffphansen77 said:
Try a G10 Delica. There's just something awesome about the G10 Endura & Delica that's hard to pin down. They're just classy & solid. You need to hold one. I have the others & there is a difference. They're almost Al Mar-ish.
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I did it. I found one and I couldn't resit. By the way, I couldn't find any on ebay, and it was very hard to find them in EU online shops.
I blame you for that LOL

As for the sharpening, I'll try to keep the ZDP-189 sharp, I know how some stuff is difficult to sharpen, I managed to destroy an edge of a Beta-Ti blade (I managed to make a groove in a glass bottle with the knife!!!) and it took me days to re-do it. Still a lot of work to make it decently sharp now... :S
 
I'll be happy to take credit for this financial wound once the knife arrives. Let us know what you think of it. I'd like to hear how a Delica fan reacts to that model. If it gets to you enough you'll be in for another round of this with the Endura. There's just something about those models...maybe you can find a way to describe them better than I can.
 
I have 2 laminated ZDP-189 blades...one from William Henry the other is a Caly 3 both easy to sharpen because it has the 420 outer steel...If you get a laminated blade you have easy sharpenability and superior edge holding performance. Buyer do your research and you will be rewarded if you get the right blade.
 
dhaines said:
I have 2 laminated ZDP-189 blades...one from William Henry the other is a Caly 3 both easy to sharpen because it has the 420 outer steel...If you get a laminated blade you have easy sharpenability and superior edge holding performance. Buyer do your research and you will be rewarded if you get the right blade.
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What makes a laminated blade easier to sharpen over a homogeneous one?
 
The outer stainless is soft and easy to grind down...the inner high carbon core is hard and very thin with less material so it's easy to get a finner edge from less material to "grind" away like a homogeneous blade. Think of it as a sandwich with only 1 slice of ham. The Japanese call it Kasumi that are made from two materials, like samurai swords: high-carbon steel and soft iron(instead of stainless steel) forged together (known as san mai blades), with the steel forming the blade's edge and the iron forming the blade's body and spine. This gives you the best of both worlds...the only disadvantage is cost and time. They have to do this by hand and let the blade rest for up to a month while the metal settles or it might warp.

Here is a video explaining it via Murry Carter an ABS Master Bladesmith and a 17th Generation Yoshimoto Bladesmith.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVcE_Yf11Zw
 
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Oh yeh, I get the concept of laminated steel. I just didn't understand what made them easier to sharpen. Now I do. Thanks for the explanation.
 
jeffphansen77 said:
I'll be happy to take credit for this financial wound once the knife arrives. Let us know what you think of it. I'd like to hear how a Delica fan reacts to that model. If it gets to you enough you'll be in for another round of this with the Endura. There's just something about those models...maybe you can find a way to describe them better than I can.
Click to expand...

Hope to have it in my hands soon!
 
I agree that the G-10 Delica and Endura have a very different feel to them. Congrats on the coming new knife, you'll love it.
 
Unless I'm missing something the lamination line is well above the edge. That should have zero effect on sharpening since you don't contact the soft steel.
 
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