Spyderco Forums

I'm in the process of putting a handle on my Z-max mule (I'm a bit behind) and was wondering why z-max hasn't been around much. Then I saw Cedric's post on zapp z12 Ultra. Sal, any chance of a taste this stuff? It sounds right up Spyderco's alley.

Sounds interesting for sure. I'd be in for a taste.

Just watched Pete (Cedric and Ada) do a cut test with Z12 Ultra. 1300 cuts through sisal rope.

Ummm...Yes please!!!

Also saw the video, the steel looks really interesting. But it must be something new as it's not even on zknives yet

With crucible now closed I wonder if Z-Wear will replace Cruwear.

You still have carpenter making PD1- another mule that lingered around for a long, long time. I love mine but it will be interesting to see what happens.

WilliamMunny wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 29, 2025 12:06 pm

With crucible now closed I wonder if Z-Wear will replace Cruwear.

“Z” in Z-Wear stands for Zapp. Zapp has no melting capabilities. Anytime you see a Z grade it was produced by someone else and rebranded. If you purchased Z-Wear, it might have been Cru-Wear but it also might have been from any other source.

Double Z in the Reveal 19…… ; )

YES! I'm excited to see this.
Z-wear was previously released as a PE mule, interesting to see a SE mule released.

Skidoosh wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 10, 2025 9:45 am

YES! I'm excited to see this.
Z-wear was previously released as a PE mule, interesting to see a SE mule released.

They are also kind of re-releasing Z-Wear in PE but as Z-Wear BQ, not sure what the difference is. It should make a nice SE blade due to it's toughness.

What kind of steel are we talking about? I'm not very familiar with it. Is Z-12 steel?

Zapp "Blade Quality" knife steels. I think that this mainly means that they're grades that they already sell which have been annealed and hot rolled into sheets. This PDF has compositions in it for both "Z-Wear BQ" and "Z-12Ultra BQ".
https://www.zapp.com/fileadmin/_documen ... ard-US.pdf

Zapp makes some strong claims relative to A11/10V.

https://www.zapp.com/fileadmin/_documen ... eet-US.pdf

What does BQ stand for?

Skidoosh wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 10, 2025 6:33 pm

What does BQ stand for?

.

cjk wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 10, 2025 3:28 pm

Zapp "Blade Quality" knife steels. I think that this mainly means that they're grades that they already sell which have been annealed and hot rolled into sheets. This PDF has compositions in it for both "Z-Wear BQ" and "Z-12Ultra BQ".
https://www.zapp.com/fileadmin/_documen ... ard-US.pdf

Thank you. Interesting and extensive information

We'll certainly want to hear your experiences with the material. Little is known about it. the numbers give some information, lab tests give some information, but there is nothing like RWT (Real World Testing).

sal

Skidoosh wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 10, 2025 6:33 pm

What does BQ stand for?

They left out a "B." It's a steel specifically formulated for barbecuing.

Looks like ZWBQ is a marginally balanced steel, favoring toughness over edge retention; Z12UBQ not a balanced steel, greatly favoring edge retention.

Z-M4 PM looks interesting too

Skidoosh wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 16, 2025 7:56 pm

Z-M4 PM looks interesting too

That's just PM M4, so the same as CPM-M4 :)