Spyderco Stretch ZDP-189 Carbon Fiber Plain Edge Knife, Black

by Spyderco

Product Features

• Features a blade ground from ZDP-189 steel with an ultra-high 3% carbon content for superior edge retention and wear resistance
• Full-flat-ground blade with a plain (PlainEdge) cutting edge
• High-strength back lock mechanism with David Boye Dent ensures safe, secure blade lock-up
• Peel-ply carbon-fiber handle scales provide an attractive, secure grip
• Four-position pocket clip supports tip-up/tip-down, left or right-side carry

Product Description

ZDP-189 blade steel is the hottest, hardest and highest performing blade steel in the knife industry today. Its 3% carbon content makes it harder and enables it to hold an edge much longer than other steels. Spyderco is one of a handful of manufacturers in the world offering ZDP-189 blades, and the C90 Stretch is one of the flagship designs to feature this amazing material. Designed by Spyderco founder and chief designer Sal Glesser, it began as a pet project for both personal use and for use by hunters looking for a high-performance knife for skinning and outdoor chores. Providing exceptional cutting power and edge retention in a convenient, discreet package, it quickly earned a place as a mainstream production piece. The full-flat-ground blade is mated to a peel-ply carbon fiber handle by a sturdy back lock mechanism, and a four-way pocket clip offers your choice of left or right-hand tip-up or tip-down carry. The C90CFP exemplifies all that is Spyderco: function, high performance, advanced materials and workmanship in an out-of-the-ordinary package.

Product Details

• Item Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B001CWRFC6
• Item model number: C90CFPE
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #175,753 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Every Day Carry Knife, September 5, 2010

By 

Robert Mattes "Linux Rules!" (N. Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spyderco Stretch ZDP-189 Carbon Fiber Plain Edge Knife, Black (Sports)

Acknowledging that reviews are always subjective, I have to rate this as the best every day carry (EDC) knife I've ever had, and I've had a good number. There are several reasons that I rate the Stretch 2 CF so highly.

First is the blade. Hitachi's ZDP-189 is the primo knife blade steel as I write this. It's very hard, so holds an edge through a lot of use. It also has a good amount of Vanadium in it, so can be sharpened to very fine edge angles and not chip. It's by far the sharpest knife with the longest-lasting edge I've ever seen. And the blade length of 3.5" is perfect for most all common pocket knife jobs. It's easily long enough to cut bagels, cakes, steaks, boxes, nearly-indestructible plastic ties holding products in packaging, etc. Shorter knives often aren't long enough for some common tasks. The Boyd Dent-style back lock has positive lockup. No blade play anywhere. One warning - ZDP-189 isn't as stainless as, say, VG-10 or S30v, so wipe it off after cutting fruit, veggies, or anything else that can stain it. Any stains that you do get can be polished out with common metal polishes, but a little prevention goes a long way.

Second, the ergonomics are perfect for my hand. Larger handles are too long for my hand,and prevent me from smooth one-handed opening with the Spydie hole. The Stretch 2 CF is the perfect size for me to open quickly and then use it immediately without shifting it around to position it properly in my hand. Plus, although the knife is light, the knife has a solid balance and feel to it. The Stainless Steel liners probably help that quite a bit. Also, the blade-to-handle ratio for the Stretch 2 is closer than most folders. The handle is less than an inch longer than the blade. The Stretch's handle is marginally longer than my Delica, but the blade is a full 1/2" longer. This knife makes very efficient use of the available handle space.

Third, the finish on the Carbon Fiber scales is excellent for use with dry or wet hands. It's peel-ply, which gives the surface a fine-patterned grippy texture, one that's very comfortable for routine use yet won't slip. It's not polished and doesn't feel like a weave, which generally have pretty smooth surfaces. And being CF, it's tough as well and has that "cool factor". The CF scales can be thin because of their strength, making this Stretch CF version somewhat thinner than the FRN version.

Lastly, the fit and finish are exemplary. I have a number of Spydercos and all are excellent, but this one sets the pace for quality. The stainless backing and liner fit so tightly together at the back of the handle that they look like one piece! There's only a very tiny space near the lock towards the front to hint that you're looking joined pieces of SS. The CF scales fit perfectly and sport beveled edges that make it difficult if not impossible to feel where the CF ands and the SS begins. Just phenomenal fit and finish.

I highly recommend this knife to anyone who needs an extremely sharp, durable blade for slicing and cutting, outstanding ergonomic feel in the hand, and phenomenal fit and finish. I carry mine every day.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars worth it, December 15, 2009

By 

endsng (sunny south florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spyderco Stretch ZDP-189 Carbon Fiber Plain Edge Knife, Black (Sports)

This is really really nice. Quality, great backlock design, ergonomically fits the hand so well, you don't want to let go of it. It doesn't get a whole lot better than this. Solid lockback, loud click when you open it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars spyderco zdp stretch carbon fiber, January 2, 2011

By 

Bryan Piedmont (ATHENS, GA, US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spyderco Stretch ZDP-189 Carbon Fiber Plain Edge Knife, Black (Sports)

Read the forums, do the reasearch, zdp is one of the top steels on the market today. The stretch brings you the perfect blade accompanied by a durable non-slip carbon fiber handle. This blade will hold an edge and is incredibly sharp. Topping the rockwell charts you know this knife is a good investment that will last you a lifeftime. Whether your a hunter, fisher, camper, cook, or just like knives, the stretch will prove to be one of your go to tools.