Spyderco Forums

The cost is not the issue but in your own experiences which steel is better? Which one do you recommend? I heard ZDP-189 is harder to sharpen than many steels but that is not really a big concern for me. I have the proper tools and patience to sharpen. I am also looking for rust resistance. I know VG10 holds up, but how does ZDP-189 do?

Thanks,
George

Depends what you will use it for. If the cost is not an issue, ZDP is the way to go. Personally, I carry an H1 which Does not rust. I use it for food cutting and can't clean it during the day. For other needs I would go with ZDP. It's a strong steel bud.

I had the same dilemma and bought 'em both.

I like the sturdy construction of g10 with liners personally. I have the Zdp version, but preffer the g10 due to the easy of sharpening and added heft/construction, but ****, I bought them both as well

What is the intended use of the Dragonfly? Which steel I would recommend depends on what tasks it would most often be performing.

I like the FRN Dragonfly 2 much better than the G10. I've had two of the G10 and sold them both. It's too heavy and too stiff and tears up your pocket.

Get the FRN. It's close to the perfect knife IMO.

L

jldc wrote:I like the FRN Dragonfly 2 much better than the G10. I've had two of the G10 and sold them both. It's too heavy and too stiff and tears up your pocket.

Get the FRN. It's close to the perfect knife IMO.

L

I'm the complete opposite on this....... Just get both

jabba359 wrote:What is the intended use of the Dragonfly? Which steel I would recommend depends on what tasks it would most often be performing.

Well im going on a camping and kayaking down the Wisconsin river, so I would like to bring a smaller knife that is rust resistant. Also one that holds an edge. Other than that, just for everyday use.

Thank you all for your input!

If you don't mind the sharpening aspect, then H1 is certainly the way to go when on water. While it may initially lack in edge-holding (unless you get it serrated, in which case it holds its edge like ZDP does, according to tests), the rust-proof nature of H1 makes it a great camping and near-water knife.

Im looking at getting the H1 d'fly too. I will take it with me when i go to the beach/fishing and also if i need to use it in the kitchen, i wont have to worry about giving it a nice bath afterwards.

I LOVE the look of the g-10 d'fly but money is the issue with me. I dont see why that small of a knife has to be almost $80 (>Manix 2). i think the pricing is off there, and i prob will not be getting the g-10 until some pricing adjustments are made....or it is gifted :)

I would totally go with the G-10 verision. Ill be the first to admit I SUCK at sharpening ZDP, but I can handle VG-10. Also I like to leave my knives suck out in the snow for a week before I grab them again . I just love VG-10, so this is very bias! But also the G10 handles feel much more complete to me, then FRN. Well I hope that helps!

I carry the ZDP-189 Dragonfly almost more than any other knife - it is great for daily tasks, and it takes and holds a wicked edge. If you have the funds to buy two - I would highly recommend the serrated H1 Salt model. This is a good complement to the ZDP knife - and gives you an option for taking the knife fishing, camping, etc.

TedP

I have both and carry the ZDP one much more often, the G-10 one gets rarely carried.

For your purposes, H1.
For overall uses, ZDP.
For plain edge, not H1.

The Plain Edge H1 will get harder and stronger as you use it and sharpen it, but the D'fly being such a small blade seems to shed much steel before this happens fully. The SpyderEdge version is already work hardened into the serrations, thus resulting in a harder blade from the start. I've heard of as much as half a centimeter being shaved off in 6 months on a PE H1 D'fly.

zdp can rust-thats why you see it with a coating or another steel laminated more than most steels


if for a wet situation go for the h1-
i have a h1 and a zdp

The steels are different. Neither is "better".

rosconey wrote:zdp can rust-thats why you see it with a coating or another steel laminated more than most steels

Laminating steels is more a work-flow model than benefit oriented. Superblue makes zdp look like H1 and it was solid blank production from Moki.

G10 dfly. The heft and solid feel of the g10 and liners make it just more solid feeling. Plus the prefer vg10 better.

The ZDP-189 Dragonfly is very light and may be a good intro to ZDP-189. To me, it's not hard to sharpen - it can just take longer. :)
The G-10 VG-10 Dragonfly has a more solid feel, and maybe a "classier" look to it. VG-10 is very quick & easy to sharpen.
Maybe it's just me, but I don't feel a need to use H1 steel for some limited fresh water exposure.

The Dragonfly is a nice little pocket knife, but if the intended purpose is camping/outdoor use, I'd want something bigger as a primary knife.