Zdp 189

[Skar]

I am considering buying a knife in this steel.
But Im a little worried that i won't appreciate the steel. I do not really like cv20 or m390 very much. Mostly because i do not like that the edge chips.

So should i give this steel a try before it becomes a thing of the past ?

 

[navman]

I have been using a zdp Delica for the past 2 years...everything from paper and cardboard to drywall scraping and strapping. No issues with chipping...maintains a great edge and I don't find it difficult to sharpen.

 

[LimpCroissant]

I'm kind of sad that ZDP seems to maybe be "kind of" discontinued. I'd heard it before on a podcast and just researched it a little after reading your post and saw an interview with Larrin where he said ZDP is "being kind of phased out". Bummer, I've always thought it was a really impressive and cool steel. If it's something you want to experience then yea I'd say now's the time to get you some. I was just reading some old posts and some people were making good points on ZDP's reputation. It first started being used in knives pretty early compared to many super steels and people just weren't used to coming across anything like it. Also, the sharpening game wasn't where it is today with all the awesome guided systems and excellent diamonds. So people were used to using and probably abusing the older steels and then came across this beast of a steel that gets up to around 67 hrc all of a sudden and just weren't really aware of it's strengths and weaknesses and so were getting chipped edges. Once people start talking about a steel being chippy, or underhardened, or whatever the case may be it's hard to come back from that reputation.

 

[justjed]

I carried a Kershaw Shallot Composite with ZDP-189 every day for 8 years. Never had a problem with chipping. It wasn't run at 67RC, tho, only about 62RC if I remember correctly. Still kind of a bear to sharpen.....

 

[ktataragasi]

I really enjoy ZDP-189. I say give it a shot!

https://imgur.com/Q2R8iBC

 

[tiguy7]

I have been running ZDP-189 in my pocket and in my kitchen for years. Never had a chip. At 67HRC it sharpens right up on Shapton Glass “Stones” (Al2O3). Get it while it’s hot. William Henry seems to phasing it out.
View attachment 1937536

 

[chalby]

I love ZDP 189 and have never had any issues with chipping but I think it is fairly similar to the M390 family in toughness depending on how it is heat treated, so I'm not sure whether you would like it so much.

Still, I would recommend it. It has excellent edge retention in my experience and is stainless enough for me. As has been mentioned, it is somewhat unique in that it holds an edge for a long time(because of the very high volume of chromium carbides) but can be sharpened with more basic equipment because of the absence of the harder carbides like vanadium and tungsten etc.

 

[Planterz]

I cut cardboard a lot with my ZDP-189 Ladybug. Thin blade, doesn't need resharpening very often, no sign of chipping yet. From what I can gather Spyderco runs it ~64Rc, give or take a point.

 

[MolokaiRider]

Man that's unfortunate it may be even less prevalent. I've enjoyed my Stretch 2 very much, and find ZDP-189 to be a great steel. It is surprisingly strong in maintaining edge apex integrity.

I was hoping to see it offered in more knives, not less.

 

[Skar]

Ordered a Endura ZDP-189.
I really like that William Henry T tiguy7
Yet they are a little costly for me.

 

[Skar]

Arrived today, I already knew I would like it as it's an endura.

I may have to invest in a sharpmaker or something similar. Or just be satisfied in the fact i can get a knife sharp again.
I really wanted the stretch 2 in zdp but it was sold out.

 

[Locutus D'Borg]

I have several William Henry's with ZDP and have never had an issue. I guess ZDP-189 will fade into obscurity like Stellite 6K, SM-100, and other cool steels.