pro & con between ZDP189 vs s35VN

[coonan]

You people have helped me make my mind up to the point that I have bought A brown mil, a Superleaf, and a PPT to go with my original 440V Mil. already I can see I am going to come to own more than I planned on . You all saw that comming before I did. The looks and the quality of these knifes is amazing!!!!!. At this point I plan on just 2 more.I can only feed so many hobbies. So I am looking at some smaller ones.What are the pro & cons of ZDP189 vs SV35vn and even 154CM ? I suppose the more help I need the more I should buy.Ha Ha .Now I can better understand why some of you spend so much on Spyderco blades. It is a lot like my Python and Coonan collection. So let's keep going . Beauty is not just girl's -art and hills and mountains.

[chuck_roxas45]

Get the knife you want and don't think about the steel so much.

[DeathBySnooSnoo]

Ok ZDP can be hardened a lot, gives you really great edge retention, but can get chippy.
S35V is like S30V, nearly identical actually. But is a little easier to sharpen tha S30 and should chip less at lower angles.
154CM is just a wee bit better than VG-10...

So ZDP- really good edge retention, hard to sharpen, chippy.
S35V - holds a pretty good edge, not very hard to shapen
154M- Not the greatest edge retention, not chipy at all,easiest to sharpen.

Hope that helps some. and you are well on your way to be just as afflicted as the rest of us and will own dozens in no time.

[Evil D]

If all three steels were made into the same blade shape and sharpened the same way, you would see a world of difference in edge retention from ZDP compared to the others. But, that's not to say the other two are slouches by any means. ZDP is harder to sharpen (or a better way to put it is it takes longer to sharpen) but you get that back in edge retention so it's all in what you want out of the knife.

[SQSAR]

Get the knife you want and don't think about the steel so much.

I like Chuck's advice. It's a good way of looking at the problem. Since they are all great steels, and will serve most anyone very well, it all comes down to the knife you want. This way, you can look more to the aesthetics, blade shape, ergonomics, handle material, weight, etc, etc, that give you what you are looking for.

But, if you are anything like most of us, you will soon develop your own preferences for what steels you like in which platforms. For me: I like 154CM a lot as an all around high performer; not uber great at any one thing, , ,but pretty **** good at pretty much everything. ZDP is also a sweet steel if keeping a wicked sharp edge is what you want, and you've got the equipment and skills to keep it honed (it's not as difficult to sharpen as postings on some other threads might suggest).

One thing I'm surprised hasn't been mentioned yet is rust resistance. In this case some may say ZDP is more prone to rust. To this I would agree, but also assert that with proper care this will not be an issue at all as I've found all my ZDP blades to be rust resistant enough to make it a mute point.

In then end perhaps this whole post is mute since if you are addicted enough to be asking such specific questions, I'd bet you are well on your way to owning all three, and perhaps multiple blades in each eventually.

[chuck_roxas45]

In then end perhaps this whole post is mute since if you are addicted enough to be asking such specific questions, I'd bet you are well on your way to owning all three, and perhaps multiple blades in each eventually.

I bet this is the case. Maybe the OP just wants to decide which one to get first. :D

[SQSAR]

I bet this is the case. Maybe the OP just wants to decide which one to get first. :D

Yeah, , ,and after buying my 6th Para2 earlier this week, ,I'm speaking from personal experience.

[chuck_roxas45]

Yeah, , ,and after buying my 6th Para2 earlier this week, ,I'm speaking from personal experience.

6 para 2's? so you like 'em a bit?

[wingman_214]

My zdp dragonfly 2 is easily my sharpest knife. The edge retention is unbeliveable. I often reach for it because I know it will hold up.

[phillipsted]

My zdp dragonfly 2 is easily my sharpest knife. The edge retention is unbeliveable. I often reach for it because I know it will hold up.

Amen, brother.

TedP

[Jay_Ev]

ZDP-189 = Japanese steel.
S35VN = Made in USA

If that sort of thing is important to you.

[Gollum]

Chris Reeve told one of his dealers that the only difference he can tell between S30V vs S35VN is S35VN has slightly greater corrosion resistance.

[Joshua J.]

Chris Reeve told one of his dealers that the only difference he can tell between S30V vs S35VN is S35VN has slightly greater corrosion resistance.

Which is pretty much exactly what Crucible was shooting for when they made the steel. It should be slightly easier on the grinders while maintaining the same performance.

[wquiles]

My zdp dragonfly 2 is easily my sharpest knife. The edge retention is unbeliveable. I often reach for it because I know it will hold up.

Amen, brother.

TedP

I could not resist any further, so I just placed an oder for the zdp dragonfly 2 :D

[Blerv]

ZDP-189 is a very impressive stainless steel. It may not be quite as exotic as it was close to a decade ago but it still holds it's own.

Amongst high carbon stainless it is extremely hard/strong which provides more edge retention but more specifically allows THIN bevels. People say it chips but all steels will at some point with thin edges if impacted beyond their natural elasticity will permit.

The edge thinness a ZDP (and some other exotics) will take and continue to perform would give steels like AUS8 fits. Those get sharp too but touch cardboard and that scalpel edge panics .

It's one of my faves because as you mentioned it's available in FRN models like the Dragonfly2. Exotic steel for like $60? Heck yea!!

[DeathBySnooSnoo]

Amongst high carbon stainless it is extremely hard/strong which provides more edge retention but more specifically allows THIN bevels. People say it chips but all steels will at some point with thin edges if impacted beyond their natural elasticity will permit.

I think that the chipping does depend on use. Like anything that is very hard, when it meets something that is also very hard, something has got to give and I think that is where the chippy-ness comes in. For thin bevels and slicing, I think that ZDP is amazing. I love my Stretch and want a ZDP ladybug a lot.

[Blerv]

I think it's often apples to oranges. Most s30v blades seem to come with less acute grinds than zdp, my sage for example. That and s30v is is tougher at ideal hardness than ZDP. Still, my use of a Southard reground Stretch it's been very impressive. Not sure on edge angle but it's close to the factory Calypso Jr.

Everyone's mileage will vary though. Often chippy vs not-chippy comes down to luck of missing hard impurities. This is usually followe by a LONG post with frown faces lol. I chipped my vg10 D'Allera rescue cutting a hard baguette! The thin scallops didn't like the rock hard crust.

Geometry + pressure + hard material = bad.

Shrug.

[coonan]

I am looking at the Native 5or manix 2 or the Sage trying to decide now which lock system I want.

[Blerv]

I think there is enough of a difference in weight, length, blade/handle shapes to disregard the lock as a functional detail. I mean, its important but personally i pick the model and deal with the lock it uses. Can't say I've been displeased yet :) .

All three are quite stout for their designation and avail in ambidextrous locks for the lefties.

[Drkknight614]

I recently decided on a Sage over a Caly3 zpd, mostly because Ive always wanted a Sage 1, I wasnt too excited that its all pinned, and its very similar to my UKPK....BUT im probably gonna have to get one anyway.