I broke the tip off of my Stretch 2 ZDP-189

Charles · #1

What do I do?

Is it one of the models they recalled to re heat treat?

HeiHeit · #2

No, they recalled the ZDP mules IIRC. You should send it in to be reground, the blade will be shorter, but at least you'll get a tip back. You will most likely have to pay $20 to have them regrind it + $5 return shipping.

Charles · #3

Can I buy a new blade anywhere?

HeiHeit · #4

I doubt it. Spyderco doesn't sell blades alone and I don't know anyone who would want to sell the blade alone.You could buy a FRN zdp model and switch the blades and lockbars if you don't want to spend as much on a brand new CF/zdp.

jzmtl · #5

How much did you break off? You may be able to fix it with sandpaper yourself.

SUDS · #6

Got any pictures. so we could get an idea of how much is gone?

The General · #7

How did you break the tip? What were you doing?

ZDP-189 is not a steel for heavy abusive prying or impacts.

Your post implies you think the knife was defective by asking about the heat treat. So please provide more info. Posts like this do not help anyone.

JNewell · #8

Tip breakage is common and nearly always a "user" issue rather than a defect. I really liked the D4/E4 saber grinds for rugged tip use but you guys keep pushing Sal & co. to change to thin, full-flat grinds that are more fragile! :D

Blerv · #9

That's why they still make thick ones :) . The Stretch was never intended for anything but slicing. E4/D4 FFG's are still tough if you cut with the edge vertically. The FFG slices the Saber under the table so if sharp is the game it's a better grind for that application.

The M2 and Bradley can't take quite a tip beating. The M2 Lightweight soon will be a nice addition next to the Native, Stretch, E4, D4.

To the OP: sorry about your tip

you can always have Tom Krein grind on it. Make it a Stretchica :) .

skunk_2 · #10

JNewell wrote:...I really liked the D4/E4 saber grinds for rugged tip use but you guys keep pushing Sal & co. to change to thin, full-flat grinds that are more fragile! :D

i have to agree, some days it seems like the FFG forum here!

on a side note; i broke the tip off the beater meadowlark i use at work this week, and am planning on just sanding a tip back on it. but i seriously put that thing thru **** for the past 3 years, broke about 1/4 inch off using it as a pry-bar! but still has zero blade play.

Charles · #11

SUDS wrote:Got any pictures. so we could get an idea of how much is gone?

Not yet, I left the knife at work.

The General wrote:How did you break the tip? What were you doing?

ZDP-189 is not a steel for heavy abusive prying or impacts.

Your post implies you think the knife was defective by asking about the heat treat. So please provide more info. Posts like this do not help anyone.

I broke it while opening up some holes on a toy for a kid. One of those Pop cap guns... When you open the holes up on the thing that holds the caps it will shoot fire out of the barrel.

It was some soft plastic. I was VERY surprised that the tip broke off.

Only 2mm of blade broke off. Leading me to believe that it wasn't stress but a manufacturing default. Very little pressure was applied. The pressure was applied in a back in forth motion. Not like a pry. But like I was pushing it forward while moving it side to side slowly.

I have broken the tip off of a Kershaw Leek and it broke at a lot more pressure than this. I have had a Tenacious for a while now and pried the **** out of everything with it. (Because it's a 20 dollar knife) I was very surprised. And sad.

I love my Endura. :spyder:

jzmtl · #12

Leek's steel is a lot softer/tougher than ZDP, so it makes sense. You may not think you are using much force but given the width of handle and width of blade tip, it's probably taking 10x the torque you applied.

spoonrobot · #13

You need a multi-tool, with an awl.

I don't think anything was wrong with the knife. It's just a very thin tip.

Blerv · #14

Contact Spyderco :) you never know. They occasionally amaze people...even of they were at fault. I've seen them make customers whole who were raving @$$'s! Being polite goes a long way.

224477 · #15

Pictures would help, but breaking the tip off isnt covered by warranty. If its not serious, the knife can be repaired, reprofiled, depenfs from the damage if the the shape needs to be slightly changed or not.

The General · #16

I broke the tip on my 440V Military when I torque cut some cable ties in a computer case. Sent it back to Spyderco and it was re ground.

Lesson learnt from me, plastic can be hard on a knife. Plus delicate tip and CPM 440V was not a tough steel.

Sorry you had this issue.

jackknifeh · #17

The terms use concerning knife blades may be different than their normal usage. Example is a "hard" blade is not a "tough" blade. ZDP is "hard". The ZDP/420J2 laminated blade would be a "tougher" blade. Think about fighting swords. Two swords, the hard steel will be broken off while the tough blade would have more flexibility/give because the softer steel on the outsides of the blade will give more, bend more making it "tougher". One test for a very durable blade is to put the end of the blade in a vise, grab the handle and bend the blade up to 90 degrees without it breaking. Usually done on swords. You couldn't do this to a 4" blade of course.

I don't know why your tip broke. Sometimes we'll go to sleep at night not knowing why something happened. If you want to fix it yourself I'd recommend a Dremel with the right grinding tools if you have access to one. Use low speed on the tool to reduce heat. I've done things like this with excellent results. You need to be careful though. It's easy to do something that can't be un-done. Due to that if it were a knife I really cared about I might send it to Spyderco.

Best of luck,
Jack

zafftheduke · #18

I know this is a long shot, but I just broke the locking bar frame contact point in my Spyderco C90PGRE Stretch. Do you still have yours?

Evil D · #19

zafftheduke wrote:I know this is a long shot, but I just broke the locking bar frame contact point in my Spyderco C90PGRE Stretch. Do you still have yours?

Long shot? This thread is over 2 years old man. I'd sooner play the lottery lol. I'd hit up ebay for a beat up user and salvage parts from it.

Pockets · #20

What exactly is the "locking bar frame contact point"?