Delica 4 FFG vs Native 1 FRN

C

CaliburrJones

Joined
Dec 6, 2012
Messages
31
Hey everyone.
Now I know this general question may have been asked before, but I have a specific question that I haven't seen answered before. I'm looking into getting the Delica 4 FFG, but I've owned and handled a Native 1 FRN before, and I sold it. The main reason is because I thought the FRN handles seemed cheap and flimsy.
I was wondering if Spyderco has done anything to improve or enhance their FRN. I really like the look of the Delica 4, been thinking about it for awhile now, but just can't help but thinking back to my Native 1 with the FRN handles I didn't much care for.
So anyone out there handled both to give me a good opinion?
Thanks.
 
I believe nothing has changed in terms of the FRN handles. Most like them. You can get very cool handles on a Delica at Santa Fe Stoneworks but you pay for them. I would look at the the stainless steel handle for the Delica or another model that is about the same size in G-10 or carbon fiber.
 
If you think the FRN on the native feels cheap you'll feel the same way about the delica handle.
 
There is a Delica sprint run with titanium handles, but it has a Damascus blade and is both a little hard to find and a little expensive.
 
fzla226 said:
If you think the FRN on the native feels cheap you'll feel the same way about the delica handle.
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That's what I was afraid of. Thank you for your opinions. Guess for right now I'll look elsewhere, perhaps in the future I'll come back to the Delica if they ever change their handle.
 
fzla226 said:
If you think the FRN on the native feels cheap you'll feel the same way about the delica handle.
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I'm sure you're correct about the perception being difficult to change. However, from my perspective as an aerospace engineer, glass-fiber reinforced nylon handles rock! Light, as all things aerospace should be. Tough, as all things aerospace should be. Strong, as all things aerospace should be. Knives don't really need this level of materials performance, but that Spyderco provides it just rocks my world.
 
NeilB said:
I'm sure you're correct about the perception being difficult to change. However, from my perspective as an aerospace engineer, glass-fiber reinforced nylon handles rock! Light, as all things aerospace should be. Tough, as all things aerospace should be. Strong, as all things aerospace should be. Knives don't really need this level of materials performance, but that Spyderco provides it just rocks my world.
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Well when you put it like that...haha it sure sounds amazing, I just can't shake the idea! The Native just felt so blade heavy, maybe that was the problem. I know the Delica has steel liners, maybe the Native 1 didn't...
 
CaliburrJones, I understand how you feel about FRN. It's a kind of material that performs very well but for some people -myself included- it lacks aesthetic appeal. The was a limited run of Delicas with green G-10 handles made a few years ago, you might find one on the secondary market.
 
CaliburrJones said:
Well when you put it like that...haha it sure sounds amazing, I just can't shake the idea! The Native just felt so blade heavy, maybe that was the problem. I know the Delica has steel liners, maybe the Native 1 didn't...
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A light handle does shift the center of mass towards the blade, without a doubt, so all knives with very light handles will feel a little blade heavy. On the other hand, additional weight that doesn't add any performance has to be questioned.

I'm not saying that people can't prefer a center of mass closer in. They can. Many do. I'm just saying that a shift is an inescapable part of having a light handle. To offset that, a shorter, lighter blade makes sense (if the blade-heavy feeling is a problem).

For me, a knife is so short (no Beckerhead, I) that a minor shift in the center of mass doesn't seem to impact my use in any way. Some knives feel good and solid with a heavy handle. For example, I have a Kershaw Cryo with all stainless steel handle, and it's heavy, but it feels quite durable to me. That said, I like my knives on the light side since I carry them a great deal more than I use them.
 
The texturing on the Delica is different from the Native FRN. It is still FRN though. Personally, I think the Delica does feel more solid (maybe due to it having liners?). If you haven't tried a Delica before, though, I'd say it's definitely worth a try. My FFG Delica is still my favorite Spyderco for EDC.
 
flarp said:
The texturing on the Delica is different from the Native FRN. It is still FRN though. Personally, I think the Delica does feel more solid (maybe due to it having liners?). If you haven't tried a Delica before, though, I'd say it's definitely worth a try. My FFG Delica is still my favorite Spyderco for EDC.
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That's true, it does have the bi-directional grip that the Native didn't have, plus the liners.
 
CaliburrJones said:
That's what I was afraid of. Thank you for your opinions. Guess for right now I'll look elsewhere, perhaps in the future I'll come back to the Delica if they ever change their handle.
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You might as well just spend the extra money and get a Native G10 or a Caly 3. Though the prices of the US Spydercos are really inflated now because of availability. At around the same price the ZDP/Carbon Fiber Caly is pretty much better in every way than the native, except for maybe the improved lock geometry the native has.
 
fzla226 said:
You might as well just spend the extra money and get a Native G10 or a Caly 3. Though the prices of the US Spydercos are really inflated now because of availability. At around the same price the ZDP/Carbon Fiber Caly is pretty much better in every way than the native, except for maybe the improved lock geometry the native has.
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Well now I'm looking more into the Delica gain, maybe to just try and get over the FRN. But is the Caly worth it to spend extra?
 
CaliburrJones said:
Well now I'm looking more into the Delica gain, maybe to just try and get over the FRN. But is the Caly worth it to spend extra?
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Better usability since it has a functional choil, better steel (though you can get the Delica in ZDP if I'm not mistaken), and it has a way more solid feeling handle since it's steel lined carbon fiber.
 
I also like my Delica with the FRN handles. The Delica is my favorite Spydie, but there are so many Spydies these days that its hard to get a feel for all of them and certainly the higher priced ones turn my head. Have the stainless steel handles on one of my Enduras, but never really took to it although it is very strong.
 
I am not a fan of stainless steel handles at all, it makes the knife heavy and they look like shit after they have been in your pocket a few days with all the scratches they get on them.
 
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