Delica-4 FFG to Native-5 LW ?

this_is_nascar

this_is_nascar

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Jan 17, 2004
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I know this is a subjective question, but I'm still interested in replies, comments and thoughts. I currently EDC a Delica-4 FFG and have recently learned of the Native-5 lightweight version. From what I've seen, I absolutely love the looks of the Native over that of the Delica, especially how it looks while closed. In addition, the lack of a finger choil on the Delica has always bothered me, as well as that area of the one end of the blade that remains protruding and sticking out from the handle when closed. It appears the Native-5 LW remedies all of those issues for me. In addition, it appears not as wide in the closed position as the Delica does, which is also a benefit to me.
 
Sounds like it does. From the Spyderco website.

"Its full-flat grind, distal taper, textured index-finger choil and thumb ramp, and understated swedge collectively offer a distinctive appearance and outstanding edge geometry and point utility. The blade is supported by a highly refined back lock mechanism that takes this time-tested lock design and elevates it to a new standard of engineering and manufacturing excellence."
 
I ordered a Native-5 FRN. Figured the best way to compare it to my Delica-4 is to actually have it, in hand.
 
I'm in shock. I was looking around online for the best deal on the Native-5 FRN/LW and found one on Amazon. Added one to my cart and it said I could have it delivered TODAY, on a Sunday. So, I figured, what the hell. The additional cost for shipping was only a few bucks more than what I would have otherwise paid.

I ordered it and already got my shipping notice. This is sounding way too good to be true. I actually stand a chance of having this knife by 9pm tonight.
 
I just did the same, I love my Delica and just got a Native 5 LW last week. There is definitely a different feel to the Native 5, and i like the fact that it has the choil. There is no thumb ramp, but that seems not to be a big deal in hand. It's growing on me as i carry and handle it, but the Delica still wins out for me. I see what you're saying about how it looks closed, one of the things that sold me too.

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I'm still in shock that I may actually see this today, after only ordering this a few hours ago. I hope it does arrive. Obviously, I'll be jumping up and down and posting if/when it does.
 
Well, my Native arrived about 45-minutes ago. Keep that in mind while reading my comments, as I've not owned this very long.


Here are some pics of the Native-5 FRN/LW, along with my Delica-4 and Chaparral.

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Some initial thoughts, keeping in mind that I've only had this less than an hour.

- build quality seems awesome, as expected. Lock up is great, as well a excellent blade centering.
- it definitely feels different in the hand compared to the Delica. I really do love having the finger choil.
- I prefer the Native's looks to the Delica, especially when closed.
- I wish the Native had the Boyle Dent, although that's some that a Dremil can probably take care of.

I won't know how well it rides in the pocket until tomorrow, however I'm thinking it will be a similar feel to the Delica.

The more I fondle and hold this Native, I find myself saying, "If the Delica would only have a finger choil......................." or "If only this Native blade would fit onto the Delica handle".

Again, it's early in my discovery phase here and I'm basically thinking out loud, so I reserve the right to change my mind in the coming hours, days and weeks. :)
 
I personally prefer the Delica to the Native 5 lightweight. Not really a fan of choils or a choked up grip, and the Delica just feels better in hand to me plus a little added blade length. Sold mine because I didn't see me carrying it over a Delica, but nothing wrong with owning both.
 
uofaengr said:
I personally prefer the Delica to the Native 5 lightweight. Not really a fan of choils or a choked up grip, and the Delica just feels better in hand to me plus a little added blade length. Sold mine because I didn't see me carrying it over a Delica, but nothing wrong with owning both.
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uofaengr,

I just posted in another thread that, like you, I at one time owned both a blue Delica and green Endura but sold them and now have the gray of both (you only mentioned having a gray Delica). Now, I'm here to post that, like you, I bought a Native 5 LW but sold it because I didn't like it as much as the Delica and couldn't see it kicking my Delica out of my pocket. Are you some sort of secret clone of me or vice versa?
 
I definitly prefer the Delica. Disappears in the pocket, but has enough blade to be truly useful. I wanted to like the Native, but for my taste it had too much choil and too little edge. I agree that it's a good looking knife with great ergo, though.
 
Native and Delica have nearly the same length of blade, a tiny bit more for the Delica !
But closed the Delica is much longer than the Native-5 ! Compare to the difference blade length...
 
Nasgul said:
Native and Delica have nearly the same length of blade, a tiny bit more for the Delica !
But closed the Delica is much longer than the Native-5 ! Compare to the difference blade length...
Click to expand...

Agreed and what made me try the Native was how much better it looked closed.
 
I definitely prefer the native 5. I've owned a delica and it had blade play, and wasn't as smooth as the native. I liked the native 5 LW so much in had that I bought the g10 2 days later. It's literally perfect for my hands (I wear med- large size gloves depending on the brand)

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Even without washers and liners, the action is much smoother and the lockup is much tighter than the delica ever was. And the steel is better. I generally hate lockbacks too, but the native is a truly amazing knife. It's a great slicer too! And the weight is amazing.
 
MIKE969 said:
I definitely prefer the native 5. I've owned a delica and it had blade play, and wasn't as smooth as the native. I liked the native 5 LW so much in had that I bought the g10 2 days later. It's literally perfect for my hands (I wear med- large size gloves depending on the brand)

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Even without washers and liners, the action is much smoother and the lockup is much tighter than the delica ever was. And the steel is better. I generally hate lockbacks too, but the native is a truly amazing knife. It's a great slicer too! And the weight is amazing.
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The way you displayed the Native, right there, is my biggest issue with the knife. While I love the finger choil and lack of a full blown thumb ramp, holding it that way is the only comfortable configuration with me on the Native. To hold it with just the handle, doesn't feel right, for me like it feels with the Delica.
 
this_is_nascar said:
The way you displayed the Native, right there, is my biggest issue with the knife. While I love the finger choil and lack of a full blown thumb ramp, holding it that way is the only comfortable configuration with me on the Native. To hold it with just the handle, doesn't feel right, for me like it feels with the Delica.
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You are right about that. But I consider this way to hold it as the main hold for the knife and choking back only when necessary for additional reach.

Same could be said for the delica, it's comfortable in a normal hold but there's no choil for a forward grip on the knife. Just different ways of holding the knife. They both offer roughly the same amount of cutting edge either way, it boils down to fit, finish and solidity for me. And I prefer the grip on the native 5.

To each his own!
 
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