Delica drone...WOW

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Oct 12, 1998
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The other day I received my Delica trainer, and I must say that I am impressed. It really takes my defensive knife training to a whole new level. Having a drone that accurately compares to the 'live' knife, allows you to do full contact draw and cut exercises. If you carry a tip down Spyderco folder, with the additional function of self defense with said knife, then you owe it to yourself to get a properly sized drone (i.e. Endura or Delica variant). The first feeling you get when facing the trainer in the hands of your training partner is quite interesting to say the least. It adds a lot of realism in your training, if you were using wooden (dojo) tanto's, rubber AF training knives, etc... Plus, with a fully functional drone you can really practice your defensive draw drills.

Also, the drone has helped me explaining the one-hand opening feature to some of my non-knife family members. They used to be somewhat scared of it, but they now realize that one can open a Spyderco with one hand in a perfectly safe manner. One tool that helps the so-called sheeple and (advanced) martial artist. Who could think that it would be possible to make one tool that could be enjoyed by both?!

One word of caution though, the trainer made me want to play with it while watching TV etc... Apart from opening and closing etc.., I also touched the edge carelessly since it was trainer right? I realize that although the trainer is perfectly safe, one shouldn't play with it in any way you wouldn't do with a real knife. I think that one could easily be careless and confuse the drone with a sharp knife. So train with it but DON'T PLAY with it. Furthermore, the Delica drone may be expensive in the sense that it is equally priced to an ordinary delica, but Spyderco appears to have put the same amount of attention to the mechanism and fit and fit finish in the drone, as they would do for a cutting version. As it should be.

Cheers,

Wouter
 
Cool, im getting an endura and a delica drone next week, im not really sure how im going to train with them though.
 
I received my Delica trainer on Friday and have been playing with it all weekend. I tried it out on my students at my class yesterday and I agreed that the reaction you get is very interesting. When they first see it coming towards them they see steel and assume it is sharp! Very impressed.

I also agree that you must handle the trainer as if it were a live blade, otherwise the bad habits that you practice will find their way in to how you will act in reality.
 
One general suggestion on how to train with them is to get a training partner and some minimal eye protection. I don't know what your training background may be, but if you've trained in a non-weapon art like Jiu Jitsu or Karate or something you can adapt easily. Just let your training partner attack you with a whole range of (training) street-type weapons, and unarmed ambush type attacks, and find a solution by trial and error. Once you get going a little you increase the tempo. After that you can think up and practice some more street based attack scenarios, with multiple attackers for example. Use the defensive moves and footwork you may have learned in previous (martial art?) training and adapt. Ofcourse ordering one of the many videotapes out there will offer you more specific advice. But training with a partner is a lot of fun and very educational as well.

I read in an article in Tactical Knives a column by Bob Kasper who advocated proper protection during training. These drones are dull but certainly can hurt you. He advised eye protection as a minimal means of protective gear you should wear. It sounds like good advice to me.

Wouter
 
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