Anyone else disappointed with the obtuse grind on the Delica?

archieblue

archieblue

Joined
Mar 19, 2001
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So, my bud was gonna buy me a new knife for Xmas, and we went down to the local B/M... I was dead set on checking out the Delica... I hated the grind... I know I've turned it down for this reason before, but I THOUGHT I could approach it with a different mindset... I was wrong... I could not choose it.

I can't imagine why Sal would allow such a shallow, thick, obtuse grind on this knife which COULD be a great little slicer. The only thing I can think of is it is more of a "utility" design... I'd LOVE to hear you Spydie expert's opinions on the subject... I mean, I compared it with my Millie, and a Mini Grip in the store, where the edge grind meets the blade grind, it was twice as thick as the others... Questions, Comments, Concerns and Smart Remarks would be appreciated!
 
If you like the handle, but not the blade grind, check out the Spyderco Delica Foliage Green G10 - Model #SPC11GPFG
It is factory ground FULL-FLAT GRIND - The only way to go!!!
Check out a good picture of it here -
http://www.gpknives.com/item/spyderco-delica-foliage-green-g10.html

The web site has an option to click on the pic for a close up.

It costs more & has G10 scales, instead of FRN - But I love mine.

If you want a steel upgrade, check out this one.

http://www.gpknives.com/item/spyderco-delica-racing-green-frn-zdp-189.html
Spyderco Delica Racing Green FRN ZDP 189 - Model #SPC11GRE
It is the same as the standard Delica d4, but with SOLID ZDP-189 blade. - You still have the blade grind thickness issue, but Tom Krein is a master at regrinding blades - I Don't know what he charges, but it looks worth it to me -Just My Opinion, but see his work on an Endura
see the url -
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=461170
http://kreinknives.net/contact.htm
This way, you can have better steel & a great grind.

If you want to email him - click on his name & click on view public profile & click on contact info.
NOTE _ He requests that you put something like knives or regrind delica in the subject line, so his spam filter does not delete it.
 
I also wish the grind were higher or flat.

It is my favorite knife, though.
 
If you want a FFG Delica then just get a Caly 3. I know you already have a UKPK though so they might be too similar.
 
^^^What he said

I don't think you'll like the delica for slicing after you've owned a Caly3 or UKPK
 
I guess it's just personal preference, but I love the grind on all my Enduras. I don't see what all the fuss is about. They cut through everything I've had to cut very nicely. Can't wait to get my Delica4 on Christmas.
 
i was on the verge of getting a delica, but after getting a sage, caly3, and ukpk, i don't really have the urge to anymore. love that flat grind--mmmmmmmmmm.
 
Archman.....umm just save up for a D2 ParaMilitary.;)

Umm you may end up shelfing the Millie afterward, it's that good.:D

smallpara.jpg
 
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I thinned out the edge on my Delica Wave and it works great as a small work-horse. I've had to do things like open cans with it and I appreciate the extra toughness.

I have other knives that are better slicers, but the Delica (or my ZT 0500) is what I take when I think I might have to abuse the edge a bit.
 
I agree on the Caly3. I just picked up a Chris Reeve small Sebenza 21 and am having a hard time putting the Caly3 on the shelf.
 
I also prefer the full flat grind of the Caly 3, Police 3, Military etc.

I did a side by side comparison of an Endura with the factory profile and one I reprofiled flat to the stone. Look at the pounds of force they took to cut through different materials:

http://metalx.org/raum/Articles/e4comparison.html

firebert said:
...the Delica (or my ZT 0500) is what I take when I think I might have to abuse the edge a bit.
Click to expand...

Is there any cutting chore in particular that comes to mind that makes you reach for either of these two knives?
 
I think they put a really durable grind on the knife because a Delica is sort of an entry level Spyderco. People are going to use it and be really impressed with it's weight, edge retention, and strength.

At least that is exactly what happened to me LOL, started my whole knife addiction.

I now have Caly 3, Mili, Stretch 2, all kinds of great slicers. So I learned that I loved knives and looked to buy better performers. If I never really got into knives I would still have a Delica that is tough and reliable, but maybe not a great slicer. (I have since ghetto waved it with a dremel, beveled the opening hole, and took it to my belt sander so it is now a flat grind lol.)

I think it is smart to make them the way they are, although I do not prefer it. I also love a choil, nothing like having your hand touching the steel that is cutting.
 
I have a Delica in pocket now as I have over the past three years, and now that you mention it, it is kinda a crappy slicer that is difficult to sharpen. Never really noticed the grind before, but it still does the job. May be time to retire it for a Paramilitary, though.
 
I wasn't crazy about the edge profile, so I sold it along. Great knife otherwise. And, truth be told, I'm considering (dreaming of) getting another, higher-end (flat grind) Spydie some time when money permits.
 
I agree with the sharpness of the Delica. I had a ZDP189 Delica and traded it off because it was not a very good slicer or cutter. The edge was too thick. I much prefer the thin edge of the caly3. Vivi, your reference to the cutting difference to the ZDP189 versus VG10 Endura and reprofile was quite informative. I had a Small Classis Sebenza reground by Tom Krein and the improvement in cutting was amazing. I have always preferred thin edges but now I demand it in any knife I carry and use. I have no idea why more companies don't put thinner edges on their knives. Maybe the companies are are concerned more knives would not hold up to the abuse some people submit their knives to. I must say that Spyderco puts the best edge and grind for a knife to cut of any company but some models are to obtuse or thick for me. I like the flat grinds they do a lot!

RKH
 
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firebert said:
I thinned out the edge on my Delica Wave and it works great as a small work-horse. I've had to do things like open cans with it and I appreciate the extra toughness.

I have other knives that are better slicers, but the Delica (or my ZT 0500) is what I take when I think I might have to abuse the edge a bit.
Click to expand...
Vivi said:
Is there any cutting chore in particular that comes to mind that makes you reach for either of these two knives?
Click to expand...
That's a question that goes both ways. My cutting chores are easily met by either of those knives. If you want to whip that geometry horse even further, a box cutter or utility knife would give a flat grind a run for it's money and win in the cardboard and plastic bottle derby.
 
It all depends on what cutting tasks you do with your knife.

Overall the D4 is an excellent knife . However the grinding on the edge is imo improvable. I prefer theD3 grindings; bladeshape-wize. For this size knife i prefer a more accute tip and flat or full flat grinds and the sturdinous of the d4 handle combined with d3 bladeshape and flat grind.

Here;s my D4W full flat grind;

d4flat9.jpg
 
Maarten, nice looking knife. Was that done with a belt sander?

I can do all my cutting with a stock Endura, but I've found an aggressively reprofiled full flat grind (Pic) to do it even better with no drawbacks so far, so I opt for the latter.

Personally I look at it the way I do sharpness. It's safer and causes less strain to my arm. Can't think of a reason not to want either of those things if I'm not sacrificing too much durability to obtain them.

Box cutters are good for perspective. If you have a smaller knife that you carry as a back-up to something large like a Manix or Military, why keep it any thicker than a box cutter if cardboard and plastic are the toughest things it will see? I have knives in my collection that would make a box cutter seem obtuse. :D

RKH said:
Vivi, your reference to the cutting difference to the ZDP189 versus VG10 Endura and reprofile was quite informative.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I get the impression many haven't tried very thin edges, so I thought the numbers would help explain my position. Showing them, yes, your knife works, but my knife will do the same thing with 1/2 to 1/3 of the force as yours, increasing safety and decreasing fatigue.
 
Vivi said:
Is there any cutting chore in particular that comes to mind that makes you reach for either of these two knives?
Click to expand...

When a knife is going to be my only tool (usually limited by wieght), I like to have one that can handle some abusive tasks. I might have to use it to tighten a screw, dig a hole, pry, split wood, or cut open a steel can (it worked really well actually). I also take my Delica and ZT to dirty abusive places (like caves), where I don't want to take my dressier knives.

I reprofiled my delica to a "zero edge" with a small 40-degree inclusive micro-bevel. My slicers have a less durable, higher-performance, 30 degree bevel with a thinner back-bevel.

Phillip
 
5.56 said:
Archman.....umm just save up for a D2 ParaMilitary.;)

Umm you may end up shelfing the Millie afterward, it's that good.:D

smallpara.jpg
Click to expand...

+1:thumbup:I don't know about puting your military away,but you will have it on rotation for sure.:thumbup:
 
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