Zpd 189

[Geronimo]

What's your experience with this steel?

Is it possible to sharpen a blade made with it?

(I'have done a search but don't find enough comments on user's experience)

 

[Esav Benyamin]

I doubt there is much user experience yet. Spyderco is just coming out with a knife using it, so we'll be hearing about it soon.

Of course you will be able to sharpen it just fine, but a harder steel takes different equipment and technique. Not being expert at it myself, I would start with a fine diamond stone, and take it easy, working slowly.

 

[abnwag]

I have had a William Henry with ZDP-189 for about five months now. I use a sharpmaker for it and have had excellent results. I find it easier to sharpen then another knife I have in BG-42. I get great results using only the fine rods and a light stropping. In my experience, ZDP-189 is not a pain at all to sharpen or maintain.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Thanks for thee information. It's good to know it isn't impossible to work with. You sound like someone who knows how to maintain a knife, instead of beating the edge into the ground.

nozh2002 just posted some pictures of the new Spydie: Pics - Spyderco Calipso Jr. ZDP-189.

 

[Geronimo]

abnwag

And what about edge retention?

 

[abnwag]

Geronimo,

It holds an edge for a long time, but not indefinately. I just moved and had to cut up what seemed like hundreds of boxes. My WH Quest with ZDP-189 stayed sharper much longer then the other knives I was also using (blades in ATS-34/154-CM, BG-42 and 420HC). I didn't keep track on how many cuts before it needed to be touched up, but it held an edge significantly longer then my other knives. I wouldn't call it the "be all, end all" blade steel, but it does take a wicked edge and holds it longer then any other steel I have experience with.

 

[shaldag]

I have also had a WH Quest for some time now. I find that it holds an edge for quite a while. I'm agraid that I had a bit more trouble sharpening it than abnwag did-- I actually had to use the coarse rods on the Sharpmaker. I was afaid that I would have to go all the way up to the diamond rods--so I was still relieved.

I think that the ZDP is a good steel. Is it worth the increased price over S30V?
I want a few more samples before I decide.

 

[holst035]

abnwag, what angle do you use on the sharpmaker and did you reprofile? I asked WH and according to them the angle is about 16-18 degrees. I was thinking about getting the sharpmaker but don't want to ruin my knife.

 

[tim8557]

I've had my ZDP Caly Jr for a month or so now. I had never experienced a blade this sharp prior; but being a tinkerer I had to go and mess with it.

I reprofiled it on my Edge Pro with the 120 coarse stone to less than 10 degrees per side. I never reached a burr in the common sense, but I read several threads saying that ZDP does not burr like a normal steel. I took it until I felt that it was as good as it was going to get. I then did a primary edge on it at a little over 10 degrees per side, taking it through the remaining 3 stones and 3 polishing tapes.

Its sharper than before and with the Edge Pro, I didn't think that it was that big of a chore. Now trying to reprofile the way I did, using my Sharpmaker, I probably still be at it.

 

[abnwag]

holst035

I use the 30 degree (combined) slots on the sharpmaker. I works like a champ!! Never had to reprofile my Quest. I don't think you will have any issues keeping your WH sharp using a sharpmaker. Hope this helps.