Which ZDP model will gain most from custom grind?

[The Mastiff]

Just as the title says I'm trying to decide which model I should send off for a custom Krien grind. Advice on what measurements, edge width I would like etc would be appreciated. This would be for a light duty, pure slicing knife.

I'm basicly satisfied with the factory grinds and my own resharpening but I'd like to experience the custom grind for myself. I'm not set up to do a real grind myself at this time. Thanks. Joe

[yablanowitz]

The Endura 4. I just got myZDP E4 back from Tom, and there is a world of difference from stock. My one biggest gripe with the E4 and D4 over the previous incarnations was the lower grind, leaving the blade so thick it felt like an axe when I was trying to slice things. The flat regrind cured that problem.

[catamount]

The Endura is the one, IMO. I had him grind the edge on mine to .01", so I don't have to baby it. I wish I'd thought to have him flatten the spine and make the tip more like a Military, as others are doing.

I am very pleased with mine, and I think you will be too.

[The Mastiff]

Thanks guys. I was thinking Caly 3 , but that thing is sharp enough for any practical purpose already. The non laminated zdp seems like a good idea also, and I always EDC an endura anyways no matter what else I have. Still open to other advice or anecdotes. Joe

[gull wing]

The Delica. Factory grind is just too steep for me.

[yablanowitz]

The gain on an already flat ground blade would not be nearly as pronounced as it is on the flat saber grinds. Even the hollow saber ground blades will benefit less.

I find it somewhat ironic that I paid extra for ZDP-189 steel on an Endura, then turned around and paid someone else even more to remove a third of that expensive steel, and am happy with the results.

[David Lowry]

I think the D4 ZDP would benefit the most. The E4 doesn't suffer as much as it is on a tad larger scale and seems to have taller grinds.

My idea of a perfect Delica is a D4 handle with a D3 blade. :)

[Killdozer]

The first run of the ZPD Delica is actually the dullest out of the box Spyderco I have gotten. I was very surprised they didn't take a more aggressive angle on it to capitalize on the steel's strength. Maybe it was fear of chipping?
-Mat

[Lostification]

What's ZPD?

[The Deacon]

Well all other things being equal, a thinner blade will slice better than a thicker one, so I'd say go with one of thin ones, either the 2.5mm Delica or the 2.4mm Jess Horn. The wider blade of the Delica would make it "effectively" even thinner than the Horn.

[STR]

Being that the CJr is already fairly thin the Jess Horn seems to benefit better but a Delica or Endura would sure see benefits also. I sure like the one I have thinned down by Tom Krien. I thank the guys that talked me into letting him do that for me everytime I use it.:D

STR

[Blades]

What's ZPD?

First- Welcome to the Spydie forum!!! :)

Second- You could do a search and find out, but it is the hot blade steel to have this year. Great stuff. Try it, you'll like it.


Blades

[yablanowitz]

What's ZPD?

ZPD is a goof-up of ZDP as in ZDP-189, Hitachi's latest super steel. ;)

Welcome to the Forum!

[Lostification]

Sorry! :o

[jaislandboy]

I'd love to get a "Krein - grind" on either the ZDP JessHorn or Delica 4.....
I wonder how a thin flat ground S90V (CPM T420V) blade would "stack up" against the ZDP-189 in terms of edge retention for a "light duty" Clipit blade and what the cost difference would be ... :rolleyes:

[gunmike1]

Being that the CJr is already fairly thin the Jess Horn seems to benefit better but a Delica or Endura would sure see benefits also. I sure like the one I have thinned down by Tom Krien. I thank the guys that talked me into letting him do that for me everytime I use it.:D

STR

The Jess Horn regrind Krein did for me made a huge difference even compared the same knife sharpened flat to the stone, let alone the stock profile. Calling the stock Jess Horn thick seems absurd until you've tried a Krein regrind of it, but thinning the edge and raising the hollow grind way up makes a big difference. The regrind sure looks a lot nicer than flat to the stone work, too, if that matters to you (the scratches don't really bother me, but my Dad almost threw up when he saw the flat to the stone finish I did). I have a Caly Jr. regrind, but can't comment on the difference from the stock knife as it was reground before I even handled it, but that is my best Krein reground cutter IMO (the edge is only .004"-.005"). Considering all of the reports of how great the stock Caly Jr. cuts I doubt it made as big of a difference as the Jess Horn regrind. I should be getting my ZDP Endura regrind back from Tom soon and will report on the difference, but I expect the difference on that knife to be huge. It is going from a fat Saber grind with a .024" edge to a .010" edged full flat grind with a Military style tip and blade profile. I'm guessing that one will gain the most percentage wise in cutting ability, but until I use it I won't know. One thing I know for sure is that I haven't been let down or disappointed by any of the 5 regrinds Tom has done for me so far, he does great work.

Mike