Spyderco's sharpening process for ZDP 189?

[cliff_B07]

Hey everybody,

I was just curious if anybody knew how our Spyderco ZDP 189 blades are sharpened from the factory? Specifically the method and grit(s) used?

[zhyla]

I've always assumed production blades are sharpened on a wet grinder of some sort. The secondary bevels don't look finer than 400 grit to me, if that.

I've always been really curious how the SpyderEdge bevels are cut and sharpened.

[ejames13]

I remember reading something over on BF not long ago stating that the Seki models appear to be sharpened with some sort of medium to low grit belt sander, then power stropped to remove the burr. Take that with a grain of salt though, since I can't remember the exact source :)

[cliff_B07]

Interesting thanks guys.

I guess it couldn't hurt to strop it with some stropman black and white?

[ejames13]

Interesting thanks guys.

I guess it couldn't hurt to strop it with some stropman black and white?

Not sure if you would attain a higher level of sharpness by doing so, but it probably wouldn't hurt to do a few strokes and find out.

Even though I use the factory edge until it dulls, I much prefer how my knives perform after doing a full re-profile. I'm just too lazy to do it out of box :)

[sal]

Hi Cliff,

Welcome to our forum.On the factory sharpening of ZDP. Sorry "Top secret".

sal

[cliff_B07]

Hi Cliff,

Welcome to our forum.On the factory sharpening of ZDP. Sorry "Top secret".

sal

Thanks Sal :)

ejames13 I did strop my zdp manbug more than a few times with some Stropman black and white and it didn't seem to polish the edge anymore than it already is. This zdp manbug is sharp!

[FK]

My procedure for reprofile sharpening ZDP-189 is as follows:

My new Delica edge was not perfectly formed and I decided to lower the included angle and smooth out the factory grind.
Each step is examined with a 15x loop and bright light.

DMT diamond bench stones, I like these for very fast removal of the steel.
Coarse 325 = 45 micron
Fine 600 = 25 micron
Extra Fine 1200 = 9 micron

Next, I find very important, the DMT series leaves rather deep scratches in the steel.
Spyderco Bench stones work great to smooth out the deep marks.
Medium brown = 600 not grit size but the relative surface finish.
Fine white approx. = 1,200 - 1,800

Final is a series of HARD leather strops with diamonds from DMT dia-paste.
6 micron
3 micron
1 micron
0.5 micron from other manuf.

This is quick and leaves a mirror edge that really lasts.
Touch up with the DMT dia-paste strops until the edge requires new honing on the stones.

Regards,
FK

[Evil D]

Hi Cliff,

Welcome to our forum.On the factory sharpening of ZDP. Sorry "Top secret".

sal

It's OK Sal I got this.

1) Locate and slay a dragon.

2) Remove fang from dragon.

3) Cast "Edge of The Infinite" spell.

4) Hone edge of blade on dragon tooth until desired sharpness is reached. This may take a fortnight.

5) Strop edge on the hide of a unicorn.

That about sums it up.

[Surfingringo]

Hi Cliff,

Welcome to our forum.On the factory sharpening of ZDP. Sorry "Top secret".

sal

It's OK Sal I got this.

1) Locate and slay a dragon.

2) Remove fang from dragon.

3) Cast "Edge of The Infinite" spell.

4) Hone edge of blade on dragon tooth until desired sharpness is reached. This may take a fortnight.

5) Strop edge on the hide of a unicorn.

That about sums it up.

Hah! That's good stuff right there. :D

[sal]

Hey Evil,

You're giving away our secrets. :p

sal

[Evil D]

Hey Evil,

You're giving away our secrets. :p

sal

Lol like anyone else can find and slay a dragon :cool:

[VashHash]

Hey Evil,

You're giving away our secrets. :p

sal

Lol like anyone else can find and slay a dragon :cool:

At least not without a spyderco ZDP knife.

[JAfromMN]

I got a question?

how do you get serrated zdp 189 so sharp from the factory

[JAfromMN]