Spyderco Forums

Greetings fellow Forumites,

Thinking about picking up a Manbug in ZDP-189. I have no experience with the steel. With all Spydies I assume the edge retention is without question. How difficult is this steel to resharpen?

I find that if I keep it touched up, it's pretty easy. If I let it get really dull, then it's quite a bit of work.

But it really holds it's edge forever. Which means that touch ups aren't too frequent and I'm still ok.

If you have decent diamond stones, it's no worse than any other steel, but if you're working with Sharpmaker medium rods, your best bet is to touch it up often and avoid chips at all costs.

The edge retention of my Endura ZDP on cardboard is simply outstanding. I suggest diamond stones for sharpening. Once you have reached a point of dullness on ZDP the standard Sharpmaker Rods won't do anything

I recently purchased and gave away a pair of ZDP-189 knives, a dragonfly and a ladybug - I would suggest touching the edges up on the fine sharpmaker rods before you start using them, and then touch them up regularly to keep it sharp. With my EDC knives, I do so once a week or so and never have to worry about them getting really dull.

I had a ZDP-189 Chinese Lum and a couple green Delica 4s (hollow ground). I couldn't get them super sharp and decided to part with them but that was long ago. After learning about the Edge Pro Apex sharpening system recently, I'm giving it another shot with a Delica 4 hollow ground that I have incoming. The Sharpmaker couldn't get it shaving sharp but with the Edge Pro, it should be a cake walk.

Even when it gets dull. the key is light pressure. It might take a bunch of extra strokes, but using light pressure is what it takes to get zdp screaming sharp...