ZDP Work knife! Al Mar HD Eagle ZDP or Spyderco ZDP Endura or Caly 3.5 CF / ZDP?

Comeuppance

Comeuppance

Fixed Blade EDC Emisssary
Joined
Jan 12, 2013
Messages
4,765
I'm getting a new job soon, and I need a slightly less terrifying knife than my incoming Combat Troodon or my Hogue EX-01 4" Tanto. I've been wanting to try ZDP for a couple years now, and never ended up carrying a ZDP-bladed knife for miscellaneous different reasons, but now I'm presented with a reasonable opportunity to justify such a purchase.

Cutleryshoppe has a ZDP HD Eagle, and I've heard very good things about Al Mar knives and have made a thread or two inquiring about them in the past. Price and availability of what I was looking for (ZDP, not AUS 8) turned me away at the time. Spyderco has the most economical option at roughly 90 bucks for a ZDP endura, with a similar blade length and overall size at close to half the price. Right in between lies the Caly 3.5 CF, which is smaller than the other two by .25-.5", but is very slim and classy looking by comparison.

My concerns between all of them are these:
ZDP Eagle: No experience with the brand, spear-shaped blade grind might make for poor slicing, most expensive option
ZDP Endura: Spyderco lockbacks tend to have play, not a fan of linerless knives or pinned knives
Caly 3.5 CF: Had one previously and immediately sold it because of how thin the blade was, pinned construction

I guess I really just need someone to tell me that the addition of steel liners and the potentially higher fit and finish of the HD Eagle is worth the $70 price difference.
 
Spyderco Stretch ZDP-189 ?
I've used the ZDP Delica for just about everything, hold an edge like crazy... and develops a beautiful discoloration :thumbup:
 
For any kind of medium/hard use you'll like USING the Eagle a lot less than either Spyderco.

I think it really depends on the job. If it's still going to be used pretty hard, go with a Spydie(I like the stretch). If you're just going to open a box or two, envelopes, etc. get the Eagle. It's not as nice to use, but nicer to own. They just feel cooler. Plus, it resembles a traditional pocket knife so it's less apt to scare people.
 
The endura 4 is my pick; ZDP, full serrations and waved; one of my fav work knives. :thumbup: I hear what you're saying about the up and down play though, it seems present in many lockback Spydie's unfortunately...

16955589266_3037ee38cf_c.jpg


I have a regular eagle and really hate the clip so that's a deal breaker for me - it rides too high and there's no aftermarket option (that I've seen...)
 
Last edited:
To answer your question... Yes, I think the Eagle is worth the extra money.

Also, if you can deal with coming up closer to your Troodon in price, William Henry uses ZDP a lot and they make incredible knives.
 
Take your pick, both knives (Caly series and Al Mar) are made in the same place, bu the same manufacturer. I'd go with Spyderco, better warranty if something should happen.
 
The Endura ZDP has the same blade thickness (.118") as the Caly 3.5 you sold partly because it was too thin. The Al Mar Eagle HD in ZDP has a thinner blade than those at .10" and based upon photos seems to have pinned construction which was the other reason you rejected the Caly 3.5. The Caly 3.5 is made by Moki for Spyderco which also makes many of the Al Mar models and quite possibly the Eagle HD. I think Spyderco offers a much better value than Al Mar and all the Moki made knives I have owned or handled have a high degree of fit & finish.

My recommendation would be the Caly 3.5 or the Stretch ZDP which has a .125" thick blade. If you don't like the FRN handle you can get the new version with G10 handles for around the price of the Al Mar. Caly 3.5's and Stretch's are my most frequently carried locking folders.
 
Last edited:
Comeuppance said:
ZDP Endura: Spyderco lockbacks tend to have play, not a fan of linerless knives or pinned knives
Click to expand...

Just to clarify, the Endura 4 has full skeletonized liners and screw-together construction. Lock-play, yes. But the other things aren't an issue with the Endura.
 
O would say that if you do not want a thin blade, then do not go for ZDP steel. This steel is usually hardened to high HRCs and has excellent blade retention, but that also means that it could chip on harder tasks. But if you need a slicer that a thin ZDP steel would be a great choice. Just my opinion. But Rockstead makes some nice knives in ZDP if price is not an issue ;)
 
My main gripe with the thinness of the Caly 3.5 was that it was also paired with a very fine tip and very wide blade. It was likely to be perfectly suited to my needs, but the appearance didn't inspire confidence. I listed it as an option I was considering because, retrospectively, I was being slightly silly ( but still know I would appreciate the relative sturdiness of the Endura or Eagle more)

The consensus seems to be on the Endura - and I really wasn't a fan of the stretch, and the delica is a bit small. I do wish there were more options for ZDP, like some linerlocks or framelocks... Maybe I should consider the 3V Boker Solo?
 
I have the Caly 3.5, I would say it has near perfect ergo's for my hands. My only concern about using it as a work knife would be the lack of texture / grip on the scales. As a few have mentioned already, the Stretch might be worth a try.
 
I carry two knives in ZDP for work, a Manbug for smaller, more precise cuts and a Delica in spyderedge for tougher jobs. ZDP in Spyderedge is good but I'm not looking forward to sharpening it when that day comes. FWIW, Sal Glesser has mentioned that H1 steel in full serrations has shown the best performance of any steel they've tested in full Spyderedge, plus it's 100% rust proof to boot so that might be worth trying out.
 
flatblackcapo said:
I have the Caly 3.5, I would say it has near perfect ergo's for my hands. My only concern about using it as a work knife would be the lack of texture / grip on the scales. As a few have mentioned already, the Stretch might be worth a try.
Click to expand...

I have a few Caly 3.5's in ZDP and have had some Stretch models as well. I much prefer the Caly...and sold the Stretch models..as they seemed too "light" to be work-worthy. Obviously, many disagree, and that's fine. For heavier duty... I would suspect that the Endura Wave G-10 in VG-10 might just be a proper balance of what you're after.

You did mention framelocks or linerlocks in ZDP... for this I would look at A.G. Russell. I had one of the original Acies (they only made 700) and I let it get away. They still do sell the Acies 2 framelock in ZDP, although this might be a mite more "fragile" in the shorter, thinner blade. My Acies was an outstanding knife in terms of f/f, and if you could find one...
http://www.agrussell.com/a-g-russell-acies2-framelock/p/RUShhhUF13ZDP/
 
If you're just going to be cutting things (not prying or stabbing into cement or anything wild like that), I think the Caly 3'.5s blade will hold up just fine. It's simply an amazing knife, in terms of the ergonomics and the steel. I have an Al Mar Eagle (not a ZDP-189 one), and while it's great, it's really really big, and I think a lot of people would find it terrifying. I'd go with the Caly 3.5.
 
I have never had trouble with a pinned knife construction, but I have had more than a few knives' screws come loose.
 
I have a caly3 in ZDP189. The width of the blade makes for a thick spine, but I have got used to it.
The blade is laminated, & if you cut abrasive stuff the J2 will scratch up horribly. Just so you know.
 
I ve had seven Enduras in zdp. Two with a flat grind and five with spear point,two of these partially serrated. The partially serrated might have been the best work knives. Only one of these knives had lock rock, and this disappeared with use. (?) I did wipe and wd40 the blade every night to prevent corrosion from the sweat and humidity and salt air. Very tough work knives and the zdp is great.
 
AG Russell has a frame lock in ZDP, the Acies 2. It's the same size as a small Sebenza
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top