Spyderco Forums

Yes, agree some pros like high edge retention. Some of the custom Japanese makers will use ZDP-189 and make rather expensive knifes ($300-$500),,,, the trade off is edge toughness and chipping. We also have HAP-40, R-2 and SG2 steels at increased hardness relative to pocket knives, they are excellen...

TkoK83Spy, Agree,,, the obsession with power snapping open and free dropping closed as a benchmark for Spyderco is unbelievable. Just watch some YouTube, the author will open/close constantly while describing a new knife. This increased dramatically with compression lock knives which I do own howeve...

Sethwm, I doubt very much the blade and lock bar are selected at factory assembly. The only issue would be different manuf. batches over time. The dimensions may change slightly with time and machine set up, then the lock up and interface will be not be quite perfect. All depends upon quality contro...

Yes, agree that edge retention is not a major issue with kitchen knives. They have a very small included angle relative to hard use folding knives. They are easy to strop or touch up on fine stones,,,, if one uses them carefully on quality cutting boards, the edge retention is a non issue. Most impo...

If the Endela (0.118") was designed with a blade thickness identical to the Delica 4 (0.098"),,,, it would be a winner to me. Since the blade thickness is almost identical to the Endura 4 (0.125"),,,,, not interested. The uncomfortable handle design for a very few people, on the Endur...

The standard recommendation is the lock bar should be matched with the blade as manuf. by the factory. This is to ensure good fit and lockup.
If you wish to change blades in the knife,,,, the original lock bar should also be included.

Regards,
FK

Why spend the time and energy and $$$ making a custom special alloy kitchen knife? We have many excellent relatively low cost kitchen knifes in Hitachi Blue and White steel, HAP-40 at very high hardness and other alloys. I have a set of Japanese kitchen knives with SKS steel, similar to D2 that are ...

Fireman, The DLC coating has been discussed many times on this forum. Sal also stated it was porous and not totally free from rust & corrosion. The traditional method of kitchen knife protection is with lamination, the outer layers are stainless steel and the center is tool steel or alloyed plai...

DLC is porous, kitchen use will expose to acidic fluids and promote rust.

I believe K390 is difficult to mauf in thin blades due to warping in heat treatment, we most likely will never see this alloy in kitchen knives.

Regards,
FK

Aerosol spray can give problems with rust under certain conditions. The spray is rather cold when applied to steel,,,,, sometimes it will cause instant moisture to form on the steel which results later in rust/staining. Yes, you need oxygen to form the rust but I have observed this happening with ae...

Ramonade, I agree on the Work Sharp Precision Adjust, two friends have them and after trying, was not impressed. You have steady hand, the final bevels are nice in the photos. I also use the blue plastic wedges to establish bevel angle when hand sharpening, available on Amazon site and inexpensive. ...

Nice photos, thanks for posting.
Are you free hand sharpening?

Regards,
FK

I normally do not pay attention to factory sharp when opening a new box. My recent Endura and Delica knives with K390 and CPM-20CV have been outstanding. Very even final bevel and crisp clean apex,,,, do not need stropping with diamonds to clean up any burrs or imperfections. Seki City is excellent ...

Rivers Edge Cutlery has the Endura 4 with ZDP-189 in stock.
Most of the other online shops are out.

Regards,
FK

Stretch K390

Regards,
FK

IMHO the edge fracture as shown in the PM2 Maximet photos and SE photos are from taking a too aggressive cut in the removal. If the diamonds or CuBN cuts to deep,,, it will tear out chunks of steel and cause edge fracture. The way to solve this is to use a fluid like mineral oil, Norton oil or Trend...

I would immediately purchase 2-3 Endura knives.

The Seki City products have been consistently great for my purchases.
With the K390 and new CPM-20CV releases,, both Delica and Endura are close to perfect.
Q.C. is outstanding.

Regards,
FK

Agree the handle is the most important part for comfort. I like my wooden handles on the thick side of design. Fixed single blade is my current preference,,,, I tried the traditional multi blade folder for a while,,, the handle grip was very tiring after a short session. Steels are traditionally not...

In my days in the Navy (1966-1970), always shore stationed and had lots of free time when not on duty. Purchased a small Buck Arkansas oil stone,, the early Buck folders were 400 series stainless and a pain to sharpen. Really progressed when I met Sal at a wood working show in the early 1990's and p...