choice of steel vs. choice of edge

[luigisdad]

Hi:
I'm wondering if it makes sense to make different choices on steel when you make different choices on the edge type. For example:

Zdp-189 vs. S90V vs. VG-10

and

SpyderEdge vs. Combo Edge vs. Plain Edge vs. Serrated

Do you pick a different steel based on the edge type you select? Is ZDP-189 better in serrated than plain edge? Is S90V better in plain edge vs. SpyderEdge?

Thank you very much for sharing your experience.

Cheers,
Roy

[spydutch]

I have come to the point that I don't find the steel the most important thing on a knife

Edge configuration as always full SpyderEdge :) , no matter what steel.

[JBE]

Honestly, it's never really made a difference in my selection.

[vampyrewolf]

I think the only time steel has mattered was when I got my ZDP caly jr.... and that's a whole new model anyways.

I can make just about anything sing with plain edge, favorite is still ATS-55 (****, I put the blade on my ss 'fly flat on the stone)

[kbuzbee]

SpyderEdge vs. Combo Edge vs. Plain Edge vs. Serrated

I don't think the steel "really" matters to me but I have this unexplainable "thing" for the latest, coolest steel. I want S125V and I want S90V and I want ZDP-189 but does it, real world matter? Probably not.

OTOH, when you say grind, don't forget flat vs convex vs hollow. There is more to the grind than the edge configuration. To me, my ultimate edge to dat is my S90V Mili flat ground, plain. Man that thing is sharp.

Ken

[greymatter]

So the wife would kill me, if I started buying a handful of knives, she's allowing me to get ONE.

I definitely want something for everyday carry, and ever since my days in the scouts, I fell in love with Spyderco. So I'm going down the same route.

I definitely want something in ZDP-189 steel. I've been wanting to try a combo edge, because of the versatility that it brings, but I'm wondering if that leaves me enough of a plain edge. It seems like the logical choice, since I can only have one.

My candidates are:

Delica zdp-189 combo edge
Delica zdp-189 full plain edge
Caly 3 - carbon fiber handle with ZDP-189.

Now I like the shape and looks of the Caly 3, but it seems not to be full zdp-189 steel, is that correct? It's also more than twice as expensive as the Delica...

So if there was one knife to have for EDC for 1-2 years, what would be the best bet?

[kbuzbee]

My candidates are:

Delica zdp-189 combo edge
Delica zdp-189 full plain edge
Caly 3 - carbon fiber handle with ZDP-189.

Now I like the shape and looks of the Caly 3, but it seems not to be full zdp-189 steel, is that correct? It's also more than twice as expensive as the Delica...

So if there was one knife to have for EDC for 1-2 years, what would be the best bet?

The shape of the Caly 3 is perfect IMO and it does everything I ever ask of it. Between the G10/VG10 and the CF/ZDP, I'd rate the G10 a better EDC. Better grip, less expensive and easier to maintain. The CF on the ZDP is much smoother (almost slippery). It's stunning and I carry and use it a lot but I try to keep it for "out and about" rather than chores and yard work. And yes, the Caly is ZDP laminated with 420J. IIUC - the 420J is more corrosion resistant.

The Delica is also a great knife but I prefer the Calys....

If you want ZDP you might also look at the Stretch 2. It's a grippier CF and full ZDP.

So, in the end, my EDC vote would go to the G10 Caly....

Good luck and let us know your decision.

Ken

[krazichinaman]

I would suggest the Caly3 in g-10 PE as well. Overall it is a great knife. Lots of people say it is more of a gents knife, but there have been some recent threads that show the Caly3 can hang with the rest of the "beaters."

If you like the shape of the d4, take a look at the G-10 d4. You basically get all the features of the Caly3, but in the d4 format.

BTW tell your wife, that you need a full SE spyder as well because a combo edge doesn't offer enough PE to work with. For those JIC moments. Always be prepared! :D
________
Honda acty
________
Park Royal 3 Condos Prathumnak

[THG]

Now I like the shape and looks of the Caly 3, but it seems not to be full zdp-189 steel, is that correct?

What you're cutting with will be ZDP-189. If you look at pictures, you'll see that there is a line. Below that line, everything is ZDP-189. Imagine this: you have three rectangles: 2 x 420, 1 x ZDP. You sandwich them and melt em together. Now you have a nice rectangle sandwich. Now do a flat grind. What do you get? ZDP-189 laminated with 420.

So everything below that line is ZDP. All your cutting and sharpening will be done with ZDP steel.

It's also more than twice as expensive as the Delica...

1. The Caly ZDP uses Carbon Fiber, which is much more expensive than FRN.
2. The ZDP in the Caly is laminated.
3. The Caly is flat-ground.

So if there was one knife to have for EDC for 1-2 years, what would be the best bet?

Personally, I like Delicas. They're very good at an even better price. The better performer is probably the Caly, though.

[Ed Schempp]

When H-1 is serrated the hardness increases; that is a good reason to chose serrated when buying a Salt series knife. I do prefer a plain edge for most of my cutting tasks. I put a flat ground sheep foot edge on my fully serrated Salt leaving only a few serrations on the back of the edge.

After carrying a Stretch 2 for quite a period of time and having to re-sharpen several times I have come to appreciate VG-10 even more. I love the utility of the Stretch design but was not able to use the knife up to its' potential because the abusive tasks that I wanted the knife would do caused micro chipping micro chipping on the edge. The VG-10 would roll rather than chip and could be buffed out rather than sharpened.

I've taken all the main Stainless Steels to a very thin edge where they all work well. The VG-10 just takes the least amount of maintenance for the group of tasks for which I use a knife. I'm not making a judgement as to serrated or non-serrated edges except of the hardness difference on the H-1...Take care...Ed

[The Deacon]

Not a factor for me. I only carrry plain edge knives and don't do anything truly abusive with them, so steel is about the last thing I base my choice upon. Most of the knives I carry are either VG-10 or ZDP-189 simply because I like the knives. Truth is, I'd still carry them if they were only available in the "worst" steel Spyderco has ever used, because they'd still be more than sufficient for my needs.

[stap2211]

Lately, I've been appreciating the utility of my FRN Cara Cara CE because of it's thin factory grind, fairly long cutting edge (3.25"), superior handle shape and uni-directional texturing, reliable back lock and low price ... all allowing it to be used hard (replaceable) with a variety of media.

The fact that it has a modern, fine grained steel with decent ductility is a bonus for it's service as a hard user (bends, doesn't break or chip without massive provocation). Somehow I don't mind touching it up after it gets used ... maybe because it responds so well to the ceramic rods. Dressing the edge is so progressive ... you can really modulate the metal removal without hang ups. Using diamonds stuck on metal plates is kind of offputting to me ... like scratching fingernails on a chalkboard ... wrong resonance I guess.

Oh ... I forgot to emphasize the fluid SE pattern on half the blade ... THAT SEALS THE DEAL !!! And is most decidedly an EDGE EFFECT superceding steel formula as one of it's very best features.

If a future FRN Cara Cara was made with CPM S30V, I suppose I would buy one ... but I don't know for sure that it would instantly become the favorite variant of my collection. It would just be the "extra hard" one.