Delica 4 or Native III

R

realitycheck

Joined
Nov 24, 2007
Messages
313
Hey guys I just got a few extra dollars and was wondering what you guys thought. I just got the caly 3 in g-10 about two weeks ago. I really like it, so im wondering which should be my next choice. Which do you guys prefer the delica 4 or native III? Which is the most comfortable in hand and in pocket? Which blade style do you best of these two knives? All the general questions.
Just wanted to get you guys opinion. Right now I really cant make up my mind. Thanks, Chet
 
Between those two, I prefer the D4. I find the handle more comfortable as it's thinner, narrower. That difference also makes it feel a little better for me when clipped in the pocket. I find opening the D4 easier. D4 has 4-way carry capability as opposed to 2-way on the Native. Both blades are nice, though within the Delica family you can choose among some distinct options - regular model, waved model and the ZDP blade model.
 
I never had either but I would buy the native because,
looks better,
S30V steel,
feels better in the hand (I have handled both of them),
made in the U.S.A.

If I bought a spyderco, it would be a native or volpe but I just cant get used to that big round hole.
 
Delica 4
I don't like how the native is riveted together... Being able to tighten/take apart if necessary is important to me.
Plus the overall shape and feel of the knife is better.
Also, for a daily user I prefer VG10 to S30V.
 
Im definately going with the vg-10. Everything i've been looking at says that the native III is in vg-10. the older ones were s30v. thats why im stuck, is because I can get both of them in vg-10. I havent handled the delica four, i have handled the native. It feels real good in the hand. If the delica four feels better in the hand I just cant imagine how much more I would like it.
I have also been looking at the waved delica.
 
For less money you could get G-10, dual steel liners, and a sweet blade, by ordering the new Tenacious. :) As long as you don't mine a liner lock, and not VG-10. It feels and looks like a $80-100 knife for like $32.
 
Well wade I just got the caly 3 so it has g-10 and flat grind. I really like this knife. I want to experience the frn now though.
 
These two differ in a few ways. The pinned verses screw contruction and the handle thickness has been pointed out. The Native has a finger choil and the Delica does not. If you like holding onto the blade then you may like the Native. If you like keeping your hand on the handle, then you may like the Delica.
 
I think Spyderco is about to release waved Delicas in combo and fully serrated, with grey frn, in a month or two.
 
Well I also have a mini grip, that I love so. Everyone says they love the delica, and everyone loves the caly 3. So I dont see a negative reason to have both.
 
You are really looking for ergonomics difference here. The Native is a tad thicker, S30V version made in USA. Delica is made in Japan, VG 10 steel, has a thinner grip but is a tad heavier as it has steel liners. I carry both regularly so I am a bad judge - both are excellent knives with slightly different ergos.
 
I would go with the Native, even the regular old Native from wally world is a great knife. 40 bucks and it's S30V. Sharp as ever too with that hollow grind. For a knife the size of the delica and the native I don't believe that you are going to be chopping down a forest anytime soon. So I think the sharper edge of the Native would suit your needs better. Who carries tip down anymore anyways? ;) (just a joke, so don't bite me in the a$$)
 
I'm no expert, but I bought a Walmart Native and gave it away, then got myself a D4, which I totally love. Not exactly sure why. The feel of the Delica is just better to me. A few reasons: Thinner narrower grip felt better in my hand, blade shape more suited to my needs, less tactical in appearance (but not in function I don't think), more comfortable in the pocket, better clip. Also when I handle a Delica I can (at least in my imagination)feel all the 20 years of re-design and refinement that have gone into it. Then there's the screw construction and more options for carry, the SS liners and bronze bushings. That said, the Native is a great knife and you can't go wrong with either!
 
I couldnt help myself I went to walmart and put the old native in my hand. Looked at the rivet holding the blade in and thought of all the stories I've read of small blade play. So I handed it back to the lady and came home and ordered the d4. I want tip up carry which both have, and the vg-10 steel I just love. so hopefully the d4 will be here soon and i can let you guys know which one I like better in my hand.
 
I've seen several people here mention "S30V" and "USA made" in regards to the Native he asked about. I guess people like to :foot:

The Native the OP (Chet) asked about was the Native III, which is a Seki, Japan made, VG-10 bladed knife with a wire clip!

Chet,
The Native III and Delica 4 are both great knives! The Delica 4 has nested steel liners, whereas the Native III doesn't. I'm not sure if that makes a difference to you. The Native III has a 50/50 choil, whereas the Delica 4 doesn't. The Native III is a little thicker in the pocket, but I find it a bit more comfortable to hold and use. Since you already have a flat-ground blade in the Caly 3, and the Delica 4 has a saber flat-ground blade, I say go for the Native III, with its hollow-ground, modified spear-point blade. The handle, which is solid FRN, has a more rounded (palm swell) feel to it than the Delica 4 and your Caly 3. I think it'll be different enough from your Caly 3 to justify having/using it. Good luck!:)

Regards,
3G

P.S. Here is the Native III, which the OP asked about:
http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=61

Please notice how it differs from the Native, which the OP didn't ask about:
http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=20
 
3Guardsmen said:
I've seen several people here mention "S30V" and "USA made" in regards to the Native he asked about. I guess people like to :foot:

The Native the OP (Chet) asked about was the Native III, which is a Seki, Japan made, VG-10 bladed knife with a wire clip!

Chet,
The Native III and Delica 4 are both great knives! The Delica 4 has nested steel liners, whereas the Native III doesn't. I'm not sure if that makes a difference to you. The Native III has a 50/50 choil, whereas the Delica 4 doesn't. The Native III is a little thicker in the pocket, but I find it a bit more comfortable to hold and use. Since you already have a flat-ground blade in the Caly 3, and the Delica 4 has a saber flat-ground blade, I say go for the Native III, with its hollow-ground, modified spear-point blade. The handle, which is solid FRN, has a more rounded (palm swell) feel to it than the Delica 4 and your Caly 3. I think it'll be different enough from your Caly 3 to justify having/using it. Good luck!:)

Regards,
3G

P.S. Here is the Native III, which the OP asked about:
http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=61

Please notice how it differs from the Native, which the OP didn't ask about:
http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=20
Click to expand...

Wise words, but it's too late. He already ordered the D4 :p.
 
I have both and love both. Hard decision. I have 45 folders and my favorite is the Delica4 PE. It just seems to be the first thing I grab. The Native in s30v does get scary sharp. Wet dream= Native s30v in screw construction.
 
3Guardsmen said:
I've seen several people here mention "S30V" and "USA made" in regards to the Native he asked about. I guess people like to :foot:

The Native the OP (Chet) asked about was the Native III, which is a Seki, Japan made, VG-10 bladed knife with a wire clip!

Chet,
The Native III and Delica 4 are both great knives! The Delica 4 has nested steel liners, whereas the Native III doesn't. I'm not sure if that makes a difference to you. The Native III has a 50/50 choil, whereas the Delica 4 doesn't. The Native III is a little thicker in the pocket, but I find it a bit more comfortable to hold and use. Since you already have a flat-ground blade in the Caly 3, and the Delica 4 has a saber flat-ground blade, I say go for the Native III, with its hollow-ground, modified spear-point blade. The handle, which is solid FRN, has a more rounded (palm swell) feel to it than the Delica 4 and your Caly 3. I think it'll be different enough from your Caly 3 to justify having/using it. Good luck!:)

Regards,
3G

P.S. Here is the Native III, which the OP asked about:
http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=61

Please notice how it differs from the Native, which the OP didn't ask about:
http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=20
Click to expand...

3G thanks so much for the help. I did order the d4 yesterday but today my wife surprised me with an early valentines present. She went to walmart and got the original native. Well I was really wanting to get the number III model if I got one. She said I could return it if I wanted too. I thought about ordering the native III instead and having both. :D I just really dont know about the s30v i've read about the chipping problems and stuff like that. And I just love the vg-10. I dont know what you guys think about the s30v?
 
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