ZDP189 & Cowry X related steels ?

[kwakster]

As you all know the burgundy Calypso has the ZDP189 steel.
I noticed that Fallkniven uses a steel called Cowry X in their upgraded IDUN model.
This steel has almost the same ingredients like the ZDP, as they both have 3% Carbon and 20% Chrome, even the hardness of 64 HRC is the same.
The only difference seems to be 0.3 % Vanadium in the Cowry X, according to the Fallkniven booklet.
Are the two steels really that different or actually the same ? :confused:
Any opinions on this subject ?

Another question; has anyone using the burgundy Calypso in the kitchen had a problem with fruity acids attacking the edge, this is a problem with the new Cermax kitchenknives from Zwilling (66HRC) ? :mad:

[s0rce]

ZDP-189 and Cowry-X are very similiar steels, both have similiar composition and they are also both powder metallurgy steels. However, ZDP-189 is made by Hitachi and Cowry-X by Daido, both in Japan.

I have yet to have any problems with acids with my ZDP-189 Caly and I've used it in the kitchen a lot.

[JD Spydo]

Is Fallkniven the only knife company that is using Cowry X? This is the first I have heard of it. Are there any internet sites telling more about it? I know, I know I need to get out more often :o . But if it is similar to ZDP-189 I sure want a blade with it. I sure like that Fallkniven Thor made with laminated VG-10.

I wonder if Cowry X is on the drawing board for the Great Spyder Factory?

[Ed Schempp]

Cowry X seems to have lost ground to ZDP 189. I would guess that are some manufacturing advantages to ZDP over Cowry. Cowry has been around longer. The vanadium carbides in Cowry definately make it harder to grind...Ed