I am looking at the Stretch II ZDP-189 and need some help

phelps76 · #1

I am looking for a knife that has the ability to get super sharp. I have read that ZDP-189 is the new big dog. But at the same time I have read some post and see that it seems hard to sharpen and even get back to factory edge much less sharper than factory edge. I know Spyderco makes great knives. But if there is a knife out there that is similar in the look of the handles, etc to the Stretch II and I don't care who makes it as long as it is a good knife with good steel. I want high edge retention, but I do not want a brittle blade. Now I am not the best at sharpening knives but I get the best results from using Arkansas soft and hard stones. I find it much better than diamond stones. I have both types of stones. And I get the best results with the Arkansas stone. Now I find that a knife used regularly is best to hit the edge across the hard arkansas stone a few times say once a week or so. That maintains the edge and you never wind up with a DULL knife. What do you guys think??? Oh yeah if you would recommend a different knife for me waht would it be?? I forgot to say I want a plain edge. I DO NOT want another serrated edge knife. I have several Cold Steel carbon V knives and I love the steel. I can get a scary and I do mean scary sharp edge on them and just a touch across the hard arkansas stone when being regularly used makes a GREAT knife. Now I have been checking the ZDP-189 steel and have decided that if I go with Spyderco and this steel that I want the Stretch II. I need some info out there guys.

email me if you like phelps76@embarqmail.com

Bill1170 · #2

If you want a Stretch, then you should get one. It is a great knife and will introduce you to ZDP-189. It will sharpen slower than what you are used to. Diamonds may be a better bet than the Arkansas stones for ZDP. I have a ZDP Delica and it is very sharp, can whittle hairs.

Scottie3000 · #3

There is also the Stretch in VG-10. It is a fine grained steel and holds an edge well.

marcus1 · #4

ZDP-189 is "brittle" (note the quotes... this is RELATIVE to say VG-10, 154CM, etc). You hit something hard/metalic while cutting it could/will chip rather than roll like other steels. But the trade off is you get your super crazy sharp and long lasting edge.

As for sharpening. Using diamond stones on the Sharpmaker I was able to repair a small chip and get the edge back to super sharp in about 10-15min. So its not hard to sharpen really... again relatively speaking it is slower than VG-10, etc.

The Deacon · #5

If you are worried about sharpening ZDP, go for the VG-10 version of the Stretch II. Easier to sharpen, easier to get super sharp, and it still holds an edge very, very well.

unit · #6

Another vote for VG-10.

ZDP is all the rage and deserves to be, but if you are accustomed to touching up regularly and enjoy keeping the edge as keen as possible, I think the super steels are NOT where you should look.

Super steels like ZDP will micro chip, meaning that they loose their perfect edge, but because the edge is sharp with micro chips (voids in the cutting edge) you can still cut but will snag and bind in the finest of media (think slicing news paper or silk). That is totally acceptable to most who simply want to "cut stuff".

VG-10 will roll instead of chip, but when it does, you can touch it up in a matter of seconds or minutes. Taking the chips out of ZDP will take much longer. Especially if you do not like diamonds.

This sounds crazy probably, but in simplest terms, I will degrade the edge on anything in a day or two so being able to restore that edge in seconds vs. minutes becomes the deciding factor. I can sharpen anything to whittle hair, I just prefer an EDC that allows me to keep it at that level with only seconds of maintenance per day.

ABX2011 · #7

I sharpened my ZDP Stretch for the first time a couple days ago. Using DMT diamond stones it took longer than other with other steels but it wasn't any more difficult. I noticed the micro chipping after progressing to the Spyderco ceramic rods. You really do need a light touch when using the ceramics on the final edge.
This is important - my Stretch (and I suspect all of them) came with a relatively thick edge. For ZDP - I would say way too thick to fully utilize the high hardness. So I totally reprofiled the edge. It took maybe an hour with the DMT XX Coarse.
By contrast, the bargain priced Caly 3 ZDP comes with a much thinner edge that cuts like a laserbeam out of the box. I used that knife the other day and after cutting everything I could find, the edge had only degraded modestly. I was really impressed. I stropped it on leather with compound and the edge smoothed back out to razor sharpness.

catamount · #8

ZDP-189 will take, and hold, very acute angles, and can be made extremely sharp, if you are willing and able to reprofile the factory edge. This is what many who rave about ZDP do. If you don't plan to reprofile, then there is less benefit to ZDP vs. VG-10, IMO.

Grizzled Gizzard · #9

I reprofiled the edge on my ZDP Stretch immediately. I used an Xcoarse DMT on the Edge Pro, and it didn't take long AT ALL. With my setup, it doesn't seem to make any difference what steel it is. I was kinda surprised.

davibocce · #10

Just get VG-10 version and be happy. Those super steels are surely high-maintenance :rolleyes:

araneae · #11

Most any steel can be made super sharp. The difference is how long it will stay sharp and how much effort it will take to re-sharpen it. VG-10 is a great steel that will hold an edge longer than a lot of steels. ZDP will hold an edge longer, but the trade off is its harder to sharpen. What is more important to you, having a longer lasting edge that is slightly brittle, or having a tougher, easier to sharpen blade? I suspect if you go ZDP you will need to get more adept with your diamond hones.