Delica 4 FRN or Native 5 FRN?

Sharp Guy

Sharp Guy

Joined
Jan 6, 2016
Messages
1,204
Hi All!,

New member and new Spydie fan here. I've been doing quite a bit of reading and learning on the forum these past couple weeks and have recently purchased a Dragonfly that I really like. I also have a Persistence coming just because the price and size were right and I wanted to try something with G10 scales. I also recently received a BM Mini-Grip that I really like and I've been seeing that the Mini-Grip is often compared with the Delica for EDC. Being that I like my Dragonfly so much I think the next logical purchase for me would be a Delica 4 FRN. However, I also like the finger choil and size of the slightly more expensive Native 5 FRN. So, I'm going to ask the members here for their input. Which would you guys choose if you could only buy one? What makes the Native 5 worth a little more money than the Delica? Is it smoother and therefore easier to flick open? Is the blade steel better? Your replies are appreciated.
 
The Native. It falls open when you press the lock. It's completely perfect for my hand. The steel is also better on the Native.
 
They are both very nice. Right now I would get the HAP40 Delica Sprint while you can still find them. HAP40 seems to be an excellent steel.
 
I'm very interested in the Native, but I strongly recommend a HAP40 Delica. I've had a great experience with mine so far.
 
You guys aren't making it easy! Haha! I have a feeling I'm going to have one of each before it's over. Which makes me think maybe I should save my pennies and get a Sage 1 or 2 instead.

Let me ask this, which one's thicker when folded. I typically like smaller knives because I often slide my knife in my watch pocket when I'm wearing jeans which one of the reasons I like my Leek so much, it's thin.

jascolli said:
HAP 40 Delica while you still can.
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I saw the HAP 40 on Spyderco's website. Not sure I can live with the burnt orange. Thought about the ZDP-189 but not sure I could justify the extra $ for that either. VG-10 should be fine for my needs. My knives used to get used a lot but since I stopped working in manufacturing they really only see light use. Edge retention is important to me but probably not like some of you guys.
 
Very tough question to answer. Both are excellent knives so you wouldnt go wrong with either one. They are both so good I think it comes down to ergos for your hand. Handle both, or make it easy on yourself, BUY BOTH. I have both and love them.
 
I would personally choose the Native but I own both and love both.

blue-native-6.jpg
 
I'm struggling with this dilemma myself. I like everything about the Native except that it has less edge than the Delica, which is already kind of minimal for my uses...
 
Check out the Centofante 3

It is a slim knife that excels at slicing due to its 2mm blade stock, which is thinner than both the Delica and Native.:thumbup:

I have been carrying mine exclusively for over a month, which for me is saying something lol
 
I'm fan of the Dragonfly (all of them) and the choil is what is missing on the Delica ! Even if it's a nice knife two.

Native is for me much worth the money than the Delica, construction and steel is awesome !
I also prefer the blade shape of the Native ! This knife feel so solid in the hand !

I you want a shape and size more like the Delica but with a choil, look for a Caly3 :)
 
Nasgul said:
I'm fan of the Dragonfly (all of them) and the choil is what is missing on the Delica ! Even if it's a nice knife two.
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I love my new Dragonfly and the lack of choil is really the only thing holding me back from pulling the trigger on a Delica. The price of the Delica is very attractive though!

Nasgul said:
I also prefer the blade shape of the Native !
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I was thinking this too. I also just realized that the Natives are made in Golden. Another plus for the Native!

Nasgul said:
I you want a shape and size more like the Delica but with a choil, look for a Caly3 :)
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I saw the Caly 3 but they're a little out of my price range at the moment.


I'm gonna see if I can handle a Delica & Native before I make a decision.
 
Sharp Guy said:
I love my new Dragonfly and the lack of choil is really the only thing holding me back from pulling the trigger on a Delica. The price of the Delica is very attractive though!



I was thinking this too. I also just realized that the Natives are made in Golden. Another plus for the Native!



I saw the Caly 3 but they're a little out of my price range at the moment.


I'm gonna see if I can handle a Delica & Native before I make a decision.
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Yes, the better would be to try them !
Yes it's made in Golden, you'll see the little difference of making/finish :)
I own a Delica since a long time. At least let say 10 years and the Native do have less than 1 years but I already have 2 FRN and planned on G10.
Native have seen much pocket time in such less time. It means everything.
Despite the 5 grammes in + for the Native it seems lighter in the hand :)
 
Sharp Guy,

If you have big hands like me the Native may be too short unless you use the choil. If you look at the handle lengths of both knives you will find the Delica has more real estate as it does not have that wasted space due to a choil. The Delica will fit nicely in the watch pocket of your jeans and will not weigh down your dress pants. It is flat as a pancake.
The Native does have a wider handle though and it is more robust.
I carry a Delica more than any other knife. I used to carry a BM Mini Grip and then got ahold of a Delica 4 and it fit my hand so well I put the MG away and have not carried it since.
 
DocT said:
Sharp Guy,

If you have big hands like me the Native may be too short unless you use the choil. If you look at the handle lengths of both knives you will find the Delica has more real estate as it does not have that wasted space due to a choil. The Delica will fit nicely in the watch pocket of your jeans and will not weigh down your dress pants. It is flat as a pancake.
The Native does have a wider handle though and it is more robust.
I carry a Delica more than any other knife. I used to carry a BM Mini Grip and then got ahold of a Delica 4 and it fit my hand so well I put the MG away and have not carried it since.
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My hands are actually kind of small so I don't think length of the handle will be a big deal. But how big it is in my pocket is important. I like smaller knives and thought that maybe the shorter handle on the Native would work better in my watch pocket. Now I'm not so sure. I just received a Persistence this morning and it's bigger than anything I have so far. If the Native is close in size to the Persistence it may not be for me. How thin, wide, and long a knife is (along with weight) is important to me. I typically like smaller-thinner knives. I'm gonna go down to the local Bass Pro shop and see if they have both knives so I can compare.
 
Have had both. Will always own a Delica and sold the Native. The Delica is a more comfortable knife for me with the thumb ramp and rounded scales. The Native is squared on the edges and might make hotspots. The Delica is also thinner which I like. The handle shape of the Native basically forced me to use the choil as gripping further back on the knife is awkward with the cutting edge being so far away. Also hated the Native clip, and there are no aftermarket options.
 
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