Anything better than a Delica?

sqoon

sqoon

Joined
Jan 1, 2010
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So I have gone from a guy who totally hated the Delica to someone who can't get enough of it. I have tried several other knives to see if I can't get something else into the rotation. I've tried the budget Skyline, Mini Griptilian, and most recently, a Paramilitary 2. For me, none of these knives (PM2 included) come close to the Delica. I really had high hopes for the PM2, but at the moment, it is just "meh."

As much as I love the Delica, I'm still looking for something with an upgrade in materials. I'd love something in S30v, perhaps even G10 or CF. Has there even been a Delica made with these materials? Is there another Spyderco I should be checking out? Would the Sage be close?
 
I'll say
Delica in ZDP 189

If you want something different, then maybe get a Chaparral in s30v or Sage 1,2,3,4... ;)) they're nice
 
Sage 1. better steel, waay better clip, carbon fiber handle and it only weighs .4 oz more than a delica. Maybe Caly 3 with cf and zdp as well.
 
I have the Delica 4 ffg in ZDP189 with Brittish racing green handles,it's a great little knife!:thumbup:
 
They make a G-10 Delica and the ZDP-189 version. I bought both and had a G-10/ZDP-189 Delica. Made me happy. :D
 
Maybe the Caly 3.5, with VG-10 and G10. And perhaps the longest blade to handle ratio of any Spydie (maybe not, but it sure seems that way).

IMG_1915.jpg
 
The ZDP189 also takes and holds a scary sharp edge,it's one of my favorite steels for a folder now.
 
Caly 3 or 3.5 is essentially a Delica with a finger choil and better materials. You will love it.
 
Caly3/3.5. I know what you mean, I cant get enough of my delica. Ain't nothin like it!
 
I also like the Caly 3.5 better than the Delica.

And am looking forward to the newest version coming out soon that will have a ZDP-189 blade and carbon fiber handle scales.
 
The thing i probably like most about the delica is the blade shape and handle shape, i also like the saber grind blades more. I've had many different spyderco's that were more expensive, and while i really liked them, i never had one that had a blade shape as visually appealing to me as the delica 4's. They certainly were very functional knives with ffg or hollow grinds but not as visually appealing to me as the delica.

For example i think the endura has a butt ugly blade and handle, the ffg does look nicer though on the endura. The gayle bradley actually has a pretty nice looking blade but i don't like the way your thumb sits on the spine. The stretch has a nice looking blade but i find the handle quite unattractive. The military and para 2 have nice handles but i don't like the way the ffg blades on those knives go from a very thick spine to a very thin pointy tip. Visually speaking i like a more even blade thickness from the top of the spine to the tip, i guess that's why i like hollow grinds so much. Another knife i really like but just don't like the way the blade looks is the leaf shape blades on the sage series, they are very functional but they look stubby.

So yeah the delica is a hard knife to beat for me, especially considering the affordable price, but to me the next best looking spyderco I've owned was a G10 caly 3, it was quite a handsome knife too, and carried nice and deep. The ergonomics were fantastic as well, those are discontinued though. There also is a carbon fiber caly 3, but i didn't enjoy that one as much as the g10 one because the handles had no traction, and i didn't like the look of the laminated blade. I have yet to try out a caly 3.5, I'm sure that one is another awesome knife equally comparable to the G10 caly 3 but with a longer blade, another one to consider that looks like another very handsome knife which i also plan to get sometime is the Native 5.
 
I have to agree with the Caly 3.5. Its one fantastic blade length,in a small package. At first, I really didn't see it for what it is, but now I find in most cases its all you really need for edc, and even self defense if the occasion came up.
My first Spyderco purchase some years ago, was a frn Native, it was ok, but not my favorite, gave it too my Nephew.
So last week I thought what the heck, lets try the new Native 5 and I love it! It just feels right,with a nice thick handle,this is tough little knife. :D
 
It's tough to find anything better, I can agree with that. I like other knives, too, but the Delica is surely great. I wish Sal and the team would put the deep carry wire clip on it and offer G10 as a permanent option. That'd be a perfect EDC IMO.
 
Delica without out of question is a good knife. Good steel, comfortable handle, light, inexpensive. Still I found quite a few knives, which satisfy my taste better than Delica. On the top of my list: original Persian, G10/VG10 Caly3/3.5, Native5. I strongly prefer knives with choil.
 
Functionally, the Delica is hard to beat. But the higher end materials will put a smile on your face. Try the Spyderco Gayle Bradley. You get an upgrade in handle scales and blade steel. It's one of my favorites.
 
I'm not a reference since I own only two Delica 4 FFG blades and no other spydies (up until the end of the week, that is :cool:) but I must admit that I often fall back to the Delica because it's so lightweight, it slizes very well and I like the looks of it.
I could say: maybe I'd like a choil, another steel, another handle material... but that's nothing urgent. The Delica does fine the way it is. The only thing I do miss, is deep carry so it would be unobtrusive in my pocket. This is one of the only reasons I sometimes grab another knife for EDC (except for when I go to parties, then I always go for the Vic cadet or anything that looks a bit classier).
 
Hauling said:
Sage 1. better steel, waay better clip, carbon fiber handle and it only weighs .4 oz more than a delica. Maybe Caly 3 with cf and zdp as well.
Click to expand...

That's debatable as I must have bent the clips 3-4 times on both my Sages and G10 D'fly but never once on any Delica I have owned.
 
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