My first Endura: ZDP-189 or K390?

lieferung

lieferung

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I have a Delica in ZDP and I think it's pretty great for EDC. I also have a PM2 in K390 and think it's the best for hard work. I'm really torn on which steel to get my first Endura in. Both steels are priced the same. Any suggestions? Kinda leaning towards ZDP but I can't help but think K390 is the better bang for buck.
 
Greetings, while I cannot comment on zdp as i have none, I do have a Delica in k390 and think it is probably my favorite steel. So much so that I purchased the Endela in the same steel. Funny thing is - I have 2-Chris Reeve sebenzas - 1in s30v, the other in s35vn, plenty of Benchmades in s30v and a few in 154cm that i actually prefer, then there are my Spyderco's in vg10. All of those mentioned I find to be on the soft side. This k390 just does it for me along with the the handle shapes of the Delice and Endela.
Thanks for listening, Troy
 
Are the ZDP blades being phased out/discontinued? Might want to get one of those while available. The K390 blades are new and regular production. They'll be around for a while if you decide the ZDP didn't quite scratch that itch. The Endura is a great platform btw.

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Sergeua said:
Are you able to hand pick one from a store?
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Yes, but what does that matter? Won't they feel the same in hand?

craytab said:
Are the ZDP blades being phased out/discontinued? Might want to get one of those while available. The K390 blades are new and regular production. They'll be around for a while if you decide the ZDP didn't quite scratch that itch. The Endura is a great platform btw.

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It sure does look like a great platform, I saw one in person today and it really convinced me to make it my next knife. It looks slimmer in pictures but up close its a nice size, comparable to the PM2. I am hoping to only buy one though, as it will definitely be a user (although how hard will depend on which steel).
 
I have a vg10 and a k390 delica. The later is ground thinner behind the edge. Can feel it just by pinching with my fingers.
My zdp endura is pretty thick, but still slices well with my edge on it. Maybe their k390s are ground thinner and that's something that might help you sway your preference.
Zdp is more corrosion resistant and doesn't have vanadium carbides. You get more choices with how to sharpen it. K390 is pretty awesome too and will develop patina more readily. These are pretty hard steels and hard choices. Maybe just decide do you want more or less stain resistance.
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Sergeua said:
I have a vg10 and a k390 delica. The later is ground thinner behind the edge. Can feel it just by pinching with my fingers.

My zdp endura is pretty thick, but still slices well with my edge on it. Maybe their k390s are ground thinner and that's something that might help you sway your preference.
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Are we referencing vg10 full flat grind to k390 ffg or vg10 saber to k390 ffg? Saber to ffg will have a difference BTE. If there is still a thinner grind difference between ffg vs ffg, I think you just enabled me on my next steel.
 
lieferung said:
Yes, but what does that matter? Won't they feel the same in hand?



It sure does look like a great platform, I saw one in person today and it really convinced me to make it my next knife. It looks slimmer in pictures but up close its a nice size, comparable to the PM2. I am hoping to only buy one though, as it will definitely be a user (although how hard will depend on which steel).
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In that case, if it were me, I'd want the new hottness :p

K390 is supposed to be some good stuff and I don't think Sal & company would roll out a regular production of a flagship model with a steel that would disappoint. I'd get the K390. In fact, only reason I haven't got one and done a blade swap into a Zome handle is that I already have a sweet set up like that in Hap40!

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I've had a Delica in ZDP for a few years and a Delica in K390 for a few months. I think I've carried the K390 more in those few months than I carried the ZDP in years. The ZDP holds a great edge but I always found it challenging to resharpen it, therefore I'm reluctant to use it. I consider myself capable at free-hand sharpening and got frustrated by this one.

On the other hand, the K390 also holds a great edge - I carried it and used it to cut food, cardboard (lots of cardboard), etc. for about a month before it lost the ability to shave arm hair. It took me 2 minutes with a fine diamond plate and a strop to return it to screaming sharp. I enjoy the steel so much that I've pre-ordered a Police in K390 for a little variety. The only caveat I see is that it develops a patina and can start to rust quickly if not cleaned properly after use.

You'll probably be happy with either steel, but I have been happier with K390 than I have with ZDP.
 
oldmanwilly said:
I've had a Delica in ZDP for a few years and a Delica in K390 for a few months. I think I've carried the K390 more in those few months than I carried the ZDP in years. The ZDP holds a great edge but I always found it challenging to resharpen it, therefore I'm reluctant to use it. I consider myself capable at free-hand sharpening and got frustrated by this one.

On the other hand, the K390 also holds a great edge - I carried it and used it to cut food, cardboard (lots of cardboard), etc. for about a month before it lost the ability to shave arm hair. It took me 2 minutes with a fine diamond plate and a strop to return it to screaming sharp. I enjoy the steel so much that I've pre-ordered a Police in K390 for a little variety. The only caveat I see is that it develops a patina and can start to rust quickly if not cleaned properly after use.

You'll probably be happy with either steel, but I have been happier with K390 than I have with ZDP.
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Yes rust was a concern because I don't want an EDC that rusts. I have my K390 PM2 that I use as a workhorse, I forced a light patina but it still has a few small spots. But the cutting power is just the best, and to have that in an EDC is really tempting... :rolleyes:
 
Oloung1 said:
Are we referencing vg10 full flat grind to k390 ffg or vg10 saber to k390 ffg? Saber to ffg will have a difference BTE. If there is still a thinner grind difference between ffg vs ffg, I think you just enabled me on my next steel.
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Yeah boss, both are ffg. I have a good caliper but the battery died in it. Can't really measure right now. I only have experience with two delicas, so it's not a great amount to fully confirm it is like that across the board. The k390 one is pretty new, I'm still trying to kill the factory edge on it. Thing is a monster, I can tell. Don't think I can wait. Plan to reprofile it soon to call it fully my own. Already took burrs from FRN scales to make it feel smoother and added some chamfering on inside. Still have a soft spot for my vg10 delica that started more knife buying for me. Was thinking to do some kinda swap and have k390 with grey scales, but I think I'll keep them as two separate knives.
In right light this is what k390 starting to look like.
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^Box destroyer^
Some more delica pics here
https://imgur.com/a/x63IvQg
 
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I've been using a K390 Delica for a few weeks now, mostly on cardboard, and I have to say that I'm amazed with this steel. Its edge holding ability is far beyond anything else I've ever used. I was impressed with the 204P (still am), and I like the ease of use and sharpening on my Superblue Calypso Jr, but K390 is on another level entirely.

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I have both Enduras. I would pick ZDP-189 - I've had 2 of each and gave one ZDP to a friend. I bought a new ZDP Endura after receiving my two new K390s because I just had to have another ZDP-189. Are they being discontinued? That seems to be floating around in my head.

Anecdotally, I think ZDP gets a little sharper and I give it the "edge" in this competition. Aloha and best of the season to all.
 
lieferung lieferung hey, could you try scratching glass with your pm2 and see if it does it or not. Like some kind of jar and you can use the spine. The delica on mine can do it and so is the zdp on endura. M4 on my mantra cant. Thanks.
 
I have both and very much prefer the K390. It's tougher and more wear resistant and IME sharpens with less issues than ZDP which isn't bad itself. Corrosion resistance isn't all that different either to me. ZDP is stainless in name only IMO.

Joe
 
I don't think you would regret either. Having said that, I have only used ZDP and it's a great steel. I'm not sure why people have difficulties sharpening it. My Delica had an OK edge when I bought it new. I've only sharpened it once with a roughly 15dps and used it to cut up cardboard for an hour, and a quick strop later it was razor sharp again.

From what I have heard/read, K390 is a bit tougher and has a very slight(I doubt anyone would notice in real world use, all things being equal) edge retention advantage. ZDP-189 I think would have an advantage for corrosion resistance, although neither are proper stainless steels.
 
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