Cold Steel Hold Out III vs Spyderco Delica 4 FFG

C

CaliburrJones

Joined
Dec 6, 2012
Messages
31
Hey everyone.

So I've pretty much narrowed down my next EDC knife to one of these two. They are around the same price ($50-60) and I can't for the life of me decide. They both seem like great knives, and they each have something about them I like over the other. I've made a pro/con list, but still can't decide! Maybe you guys can help. I've owned a Hold Out III before, but lost it, so I know how that one feels, but never owned a D4. Both are roughly the same size blade and handle.

Hold Out III
1. Thin and light (+)
2. FFG (+)
3. Grippy G10 (+)
4. Reminiscent of a Scottish sgian dubh (+) [I'm Scottish in heritage, been to Scotland and love it, so this has sentimental value]
5. Tri-Ad Lock (-/+) [Very sturdy, obviously one of the beefiest locks on the market, but also can be hard to close]
6. Very little ergonomics (-)
7. Pocket clip [unimportant, since I remove my pocket clips from my knives]
8. Hardly any gimping (-)

Delica 4 FFG
1. FFG (+)
2. Spyder hole (+)
3. Thin and light (+)
4. FRN (-) [I dislike the feel of FRN, it feels cheap in my hand. I know it isn't, but I just can't shake the feel]
5. Spyder hole makes blade wider in the pocket (-)
6. Midlock (+) [good, simple, easy to use, and not a bear like the tri-ad]
7. Pocket clip [unimportant]
8. Color choice (+)
9. Great gimping (+)
10. Good ergonomics (+)
11. Aesthetically not as pleasing as the HO3 (-)

As you can see, I still don't know which to choose. It's a toss up. The HO3 has sentimental value, is very sturdy, and is a bit cheaper ($10), but the D4 is praised by most who use it as a near-perfect EDC. My main question is this:

Having handled and loved the HO3, is there anything the D4 can offer that makes it superior enough to switch my fancy to it?

Can anyone help me here???
Thanks
 
Well, you can spend a bit more to get a Delica in G-10, if that's an otherwise deal-breaker for you. :)

More Delica pluses:
I like the fact that there's somewhat of a guard to help prevent my hand/fingers from sliding forward onto the edge.
There's also a kick that lets the safe part of the knife drop against your finger when you depress the lock release.
The VG-10 is a better steel.
 
VictorLouis said:
Well, you can spend a bit more to get a Delica in G-10, if that's an otherwise deal-breaker for you. :)

More Delica pluses:
I like the fact that there's somewhat of a guard to help prevent my hand/fingers from sliding forward onto the edge.
There's also a kick that lets the safe part of the knife drop against your finger when you depress the lock release.
The VG-10 is a better steel.
Click to expand...

Does the blade of the D4 flick open easily, or do you have to apply force the entire way until the knife locks open?
 
My delica flicks easily. I am a huge fan. Very slim in pocket. I have an endura in Vg10 so I can attest to the quality of that steel. My delica is Zdp though. Which is jaw dropping. I'm actually a fan of the frn...grippy even with gloved hands.
 
If you were to step up a size and say Endura vs Hold Out II I would definitely say Hold Out.

But, because you are looking for small I must recommend Delica because the clip chosen for the smallest Hold Out is abominable. You will not be able to pocket this knife without modifying the clip and/or the texturing. Delica is good to go from the box with one of the best clips in the biz, though I like the Spydie wire clip the best (UKPK or Sage). Also, for me at least, the one-handed use of the HOIII is not as intuitive as the very natural Delica midlock.

Edit: I see you don't use pocket clips? HO III will take less pocket space. Maybe even a Victorinox Cadet, then you can conserve maximum pocket space and open bottles, cans, and limited prying as well as slice stuff.
 
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GrinderMcgee said:
If you were to step up a size and say Endura vs Hold Out II I would definitely say Hold Out.

But, because you are looking for small I must recommend Delica because the clip chosen for the smallest Hold Out is abominable. You will not be able to pocket this knife without modifying the clip and/or the texturing. Delica is good to go from the box with one of the best clips in the biz, though I like the Spydie wire clip the best (UKPK or Sage). Also, for me at least, the one-handed use of the HOIII is not as intuitive as the very natural Delica midlock.

Edit: I see you don't use pocket clips? HO III will take less pocket space. Maybe even a Victorinox Cadet, then you can conserve maximum pocket space and open bottles, cans, and limited prying as well as slice stuff.
Click to expand...

Ya not a fan of any pocket clips. I have a Vic Cadet but it lacks the versatility of a larger blade. Still very handy though.
 
If the Hold Out III feels better, locks up better, and has sentimental value along with being thin and light, I might lean in that direction.
 
Acesn8s said:
If the Hold Out III feels better, locks up better, and has sentimental value along with being thin and light, I might lean in that direction.
Click to expand...

It has all that, it's just since I haven't handled a D4 before, I'm not sure--what if it knocks me off me feet?
 
Overall I would pick the spyderco, the design, ergos and steel are much better IMO. The advantages that the cold steel has over the spyderco is the tri-ad lock and super grippy g10, especially the tri-ad it truly is one of the greatest locking mechanisms ever created. Get both!
 
Buy the Hold Out 3 and if, at a later stage, you handle the Delica and it pushes your buttons buy that one as well.

Cold Steel and Spyderco both make very good knives.

You could always get a Hold Out 1. ;)
 
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