Alternative to Delica

Wowbagger said:
Blasphemy !
The Delica is as good as it ever was; basically one of if not theee best knife for the price out there.
Get some diamonds and never fret about sharpening again.
I love the Green one with the ZDP-189 ! ! !
I carried my VG-10 Wharncliffe today / this week at work :thumbsup:

Looking for something better than the Delica o_O
. . . crazy talk :confused:
:)
There are still some of the HAP-40 / carbon fiber special additions out there as well :thumbsup:
Extra thin and easier on the pockets (smooth polished carbon fiber ) if you prefer that. I like mine.
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Never said the Delica wasn't a great knife. Just don't believe it's the value it once was.

The Chaparral and Manix 2 XL strike me as that now although as total opposites.
 
Not clear to me what you're looking for based on value. Is the value issue with the Delia the VG-10 or something else? Ease of sharpening is largely dependent on your stones. Does your XHP sharpening requirement mean that you don't want S30V steel? A little more detail in what you do and don't want would be helpful. Under 3" with steel "better" than VG-10 and not harder to sharpen (lower carbides) than XHP is fairly limiting.

The Chaparral Lightweight is hard t beat. Shorter handle and 2.25" cutting edge. Ergonomically it's a very different knife from the Delica. It's a great value (imo), but I don't know if it's what you're looking for in terms of size.

If you're ok with non-locking the UKPK in BD1N seems like a bargain at $58. Closer in blade and handle size to the Delica than the Chaparral.

The Para 3 Lightweight also in BD1N seems like it may be a good fit. I would skip the Para 3, PM2, and Native if you don't want S30V or other high carbide steels. The Para 3 in 52100 may work but is outside your $150 budget.
 
David Richardson said:
Not clear to me what you're looking for based on value. Is the value issue with the Delia the VG-10 or something else? Ease of sharpening is largely dependent on your stones. Does your XHP sharpening requirement mean that you don't want S30V steel? A little more detail in what you do and don't want would be helpful. Under 3" with steel "better" than VG-10 and not harder to sharpen (lower carbides) than XHP is fairly limiting.

The Chaparral Lightweight is hard t beat. Shorter handle and 2.25" cutting edge. Ergonomically it's a very different knife from the Delica. It's a great value (imo), but I don't know if it's what you're looking for in terms of size.

If you're ok with non-locking the UKPK in BD1N seems like a bargain at $58. Closer in blade and handle size to the Delica than the Chaparral.

The Para 3 Lightweight also in BD1N seems like it may be a good fit. I would skip the Para 3, PM2, and Native if you don't want S30V or other high carbide steels. The Para 3 in 52100 may work but is outside your $150 budget.
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I could live with S30V as I can deal with it. It's on several of my knives but I don't ever intend to deal with S110V again.

That said I found a returned Delica 4 FRN with a crunched box for $20 Off at a reputable source so decided to go that route. Should be fine if the customer didn't swap it for a fake.

PS I was just looking for a 3" blade and trying to get the best value per dollar spent.
 
Got it - makes perfect sense. Hope I didn't come across as critical. Was just trying to narrow down your preferences. Glad you got another Delica. Since you mentioned S30V... For next time consider a Native, Sage, or Para 3. I have all three and like all of them more than the Delica (sorry Delica defenders).
 
Lots of options if you go over your "$100"
Sage
Chaparral
Native 5

For every day use the Sage 5 is the go to, great ergo's and a smooth lock
 
The Chaparral is easy to recommend, a great small EDC knife. The only question is whether you want the less expensive, slightly lighter FRN version or the CF/G-10 version, which I think looks more upscale, but it costs more.
 
JimMD said:
The Chaparral is easy to recommend, a great small EDC knife. The only question is whether you want the less expensive, slightly lighter FRN version or the CF/G-10 version, which I think looks more upscale, but it costs more.
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While I got a great deal on the Delica and ended up going that route (I think it actually makes a better daily EDC for me) I think both the Chaparral (light duty - night out) and Manix XL (Heavy Duty) have entered the list for possible future Spydie purchases. Don't really need them as I have a TA Davison Slip Joint (Yes I actually carry and use it) and a ZT 0200 that serve those roles admirably but then need doesn't really enter into it.

PS Sorry if I came across as to negative on some of the newer Super Steels. I just don't find them as the best option in an app where I may need to touch up in the field. S110V kicked my @#$ under those conditions.
 
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I'm guessing he meant 0.008". If so, that's very thin for a factory grind. Pretty sure mine are a little thicker BTE. Would have to re-measure to be sure. How the factory edge was done will obviously change the BTE thickness.
 
Yes. It's very thin. Some custom makers are doing edges at in the 0.005-0.008" range (notably Phil Wilson and BBB.

I just checked my Chaparrals and they're in the 0.010" - 0.015" range depending on where I measure along the blade. I've also sharpened them to 17 degrees, so it's possible they were thinner behind the edge from the factory. Given this, 0.008" doesn't seem implausible.
 
I would say a Dragonfly would be good. You have carried a gen 1 Robin for quite a long time and it seemed to have worked for you. A Dragonfly would be a nice upgrade in plain edge vg10 or h1 serrations. I own a gen 2 Robbin with full serrations and it's a great work knife so I can see how it has remained with you for 10 years, I imagine a dragonfly will serve you just as good if not better.
 
Bob6794 said:
I would say a Dragonfly would be good. You have carried a gen 1 Robin for quite a long time and it seemed to have worked for you. A Dragonfly would be a nice upgrade in plain edge vg10 or h1 serrations. I own a gen 2 Robbin with full serrations and it's a great work knife so I can see how it has remained with you for 10 years, I imagine a dragonfly will serve you just as good if not better.
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The Robin 1 isn't going anywhere. With clip delete it simply disappears within my pocket so I see no reason not to carry it all the time.

I bought it originally because it was cheap ($13?) and I was worried about it disappearing from my luggage. I wish I could claim to be a really discerning buyer who planned out the purchase of a great knife but in reality I lucked out.

I'm simply looking to add a second knife for casual daily carry when I don't need a Heavy Use Folder (ZT 0200) or Dress Knife (TA Davison Slip Joint). I have a lot of other knives but none of them have really fit in perfectly for me. They is always something I don't like. I'm trying to find something Im as comfortable with as a pair of old jeans that provides a roughly 50% larger cutting surface (That's 1.875" on the Byrd) without exceeding 3" for local use.

That said since I've bought a Delica 4 FRN we will see how it goes.
 
I don’t like S110V too, but for a field touch up, a DMT credit card should take care of it. A pack of 3 comes in C, F, and EF and for EDU, they should serve very well.

Just help sharing options available if you want to try again S110V.
 
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