Zdp-189

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daverave999

Joined
Jan 16, 2003
Messages
231
Wasn't sure where to post this. It seemed most appropriate here.

My questions stem from the new model from spyderco.

I have very little metallurgical knowledge, hence my questions to you more knowledgeable folks.

With 3% carbon and 20% chromium, this is a stainless steel by definition, is that correct? With all that carbon in the mix, will this affect its corrosion resistance at all or is the quantity of chromium enough to offset this?

I assume the advantage of the increased quantity of carbon means more carbides. Why does this translate as being able to harden the steel higher without it getting too brittle, or are these unrelated factors?

TIA
 
I wish I could find more info about that alloy. The original definition of stainless steel is 12% Cr or more .Usually for knives we talk about 14%. So the alloy would be a stainless steel. However at three percent carbon by normal definition it would be a cast iron !! I assume this is made by particle metallurgy like Crucible's CPM alloys so things are a bit different .If indeed there is only carbon and chromium in it I assume they add chrome carbides to a stainless steel matrix. Does anyone have a source for information on this steel ??
 
It's made by Hitachi and there's not much info on it....

I do know that it does not require heat-treat. The process of grinding it work-hardens it.
 
"grinding work hardens it " ?? I don't think so. It could be that the steel is work hardened [cold rolled ] to thickness.
 
Daniel Koster said:
It's made by Hitachi and there's not much info on it....

I do know that it does not require heat-treat. The process of grinding it work-hardens it.
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i think your talking about H1 being work hardend
im with mete about it needing to be a cpm steel and so far as info Hitachi is keeping it under wraps
ive been looking for info also for about a year real odd steel
if it can be Rc at 67 and still not be brittle like they report should be great stuff but im also betting it will cost 3x more them most steel to buy
 
LOL....you are correct, butcher_block. It's H1 I'm thinking of....(wires crossed...:foot: )
 
im one of the ppl that cant hardly use a pocket knife that has no hole :) so yes im a spyderfreak
anyhow i would love to get ahold of some zdp 189 to work with
but finding even VG10 seems like its not going to happen :barf:
 
the feb 2005 issue of blade has an article on ZDP
not really any more info than stated here but there could be something i overlooked while skimming. if i remember correctly is was more of a comparison between ZDP and popular steels than a breakdown of the ZDP
 
From the information I got from a person who helped on the development of this steel it is great for small blades.

They did not recommend a large blade made from it .

They said what most expect.... it will chip out.

after that info I just put this steel on my list of good of certain uses.
 
Darrel Ralph said:
From the information I got from a person who helped on the development of this steel it is great for small blades.

They did not recommend a large blade made from it .

They said what most expect.... it will chip out.

after that info I just put this steel on my list of good of certain uses.
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right i would also be hard pressed to belive that the steel would make a good chopper
folders and skinners would seem perfect
 
I found this on another forum. May be a good lead for getting your hands on some:
you can buy a san mai billet.. ats 34 outside with a core of zdp189 from a company in Japan called Shinkai .. you need to email Mr Takashi Fujii .. his email is asagayashinkai@nifty.com

btw.. the ht on the sanmai has to be done with a vacuum furnace cause the polish needs to be 99.5% finished if you are aiming for the optimum HRC of 67
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Chiro75 said:
I found this on another forum. May be a good lead for getting your hands on some:
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was there any other info on the site boy i would like to try but im not sure if i can do the HT im betting you have to take it up to 2200 or more that would be maxin my little evenheat out
did anyone say how well he might read/write english
 
I assume he does okay. His info was on British Blades and Spyderco's forum. You could write in English and use Systran online to get a free translation and email that, too, although the translations that system makes vary from great to nonsensical. Let us know what you find out. I expect a 4" piece as payment for the information so I can make a special ZDP-189 Tactical Orange Peeler! :D
 
When I inquired about ZDP-189 a while back I was informed by Hitachi that it was only sold under contract with a limited number of manufacturers.It was said thet an individual can't purchase it independantly.The HT is proprietary and only done by Hitachi or under liscense.This is all I know about it.
Stacy
 
Thanks for all the replies.

The knifemaker in question who had the ZDP-189 goes by the name of zackerty. I'm not sure if he's a member here, but he managed to get some ZDP-189. He is a frequent poster on both britishblades and the spyderco forum.

I'm still waiting for my burgundy Calypso Jr to turn up but it sounds very promising from the reviews so far.
 
well if i cant get the zdp maybe i can call around and find some cpms125v that sal was said something about to see about all the hype is around that steel
 
yes....now I remember. I heard the same thing. That's where my wires crossed....I remember thinking that I couldn't heat-treat it.

Sure would be curious to see if there is some available...I did send an email...no response yet...
 
I don't see why there's such a big friggin secret about this stuff. I don't know maybe to increase it's demand? Seems to be working. :cool:
 
Isn't Hitachi like this with all their steels?
 
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