stones for ZDP 189

[MikeT]

I have a Spyderco Endura in ZDP 189 on order from another site. I have heard that this steel is difficult to sharpen, and not every stone will work well on it. I have a Naniwa Pro 1000 and a Rika 5000 purchased from CKTG, which seem to work well for my HAP40 kitchen knife. Will the work on the ZDP 189 as well?

[ken123]

I have extremely good luck with the Nubatama Platinum stones from 320 to 6k grit on zdp189. So do several of my customers.

---
Ken

[orezeno]

I actually do use the Nubatama stones, especially the Platinum 320 on ZDP-189 folders. However, your 1K Naniwa Pro should work fine. Assuming that you'll use your Endura as an EDC, I'd suggest that you don't take the edge much past 1K. You can, of course, polish with your 5K, but I think you'll really like the versatility of a toothy edge. If you were to purchase a stone, I'd recommend the Naniwa Pro 400. You'll want this to fix problems that occur through knife abuse (again, assuming you'll use this as an EDC). If you get your knife blazingly sharp off of the 400, your 1K edge will be pretty stunning.

[Thuja Magus]

The stones you have will be ok for ZDP, but the job will be easier by starting on a coarser stone. Naniwa Pro 400 or Shapton Glass 320 or 500 would be good choices.

ZDP is harder to sharpen that basic steels but is not as hard a high vanadium steel like S30V and most modern waterstones will able to abrade it, for these steels diamonds work best and give the best results and edge retention.

Over the years I have realized that most waterstones cut about the same regardless of what compaanies and sell persons tell. The difference is there sometime but not as big as some people claim. Diamonds on the other hand will abrade anything and at a good pace. Some people don't like the feel, I love it.

Good luck.

[Jeff B]

My Shapton Pros and Choceras both worked fine with ZDP189.

[Kalaeb]

I use a 1k and 6k diamond.

[MikeT]

Thanks all. I feel like I can ask almost any reasonable sharpening question here, and get good answers.

[dmonterisi]

I have *finally* gotten into the right place with my zdp189...i use chosera/naniwa professional stones. my progression is 400 > 800 > 2000. I used to try to use my snow white 8k as a finisher but the edge would consistently grab, so i stopped using it. starting with the 400, i can use a steeper angle and the edge on my sukenari is now fantastic.

[ken123]

Thuja brings out an interesting point. That diamonds tend to handle a wider range of steels than many waterstones. Why? Well particle hardnesses of the stone or plate is critical. Even among stones the specific stone abrasives react differently. Until you have experienced this you just don't know what you are missing. You aldo tend to get deeper scratches with diamonds.

---
Ken