Delica, lower quality?

W

Westflorida

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Jan 28, 2001
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I own an early 90's delica with the frn clip, the knife has a perfect lockup, even after 10 years. Recently, I purchased the Delica with the black blade and green handle and also the one with the black blade and handle. Both of these delica's had a noticeable amount of "blade play", especially the all black delica. Is this normal? Have the knives changed?
 
I just got a black bladed Delica. No blade play on mine. Compared to my earlier version, I much prefer the new flat ground blade and modified handle.
 
Sal has said, if I remember correctly, that "some" vertical blade play is expected as a result of the engineering to ensure lock engagement on lockbacks. I guess it all depends on each person's interpretation of "some" blade play.
 
I've got a '98 Delica that I have used and abused for the last four years and it has held up great! The clip has been hit and twisted. The "walls" of the clip-hollow are no longer square. Any time this happens I just whip out two nickles and tighten the barrel-screw back down. No problems. The blade steel is ATS-55. I must be one of the few people who has never had a problem with this steel. I touch up the blade once a week and it still shaves hair. I've re-painted the clip twice. I also have the new black-bladed, olive handled Delica and it is tight as a drum. My EDC Delica has a very slight bit of up and down blade play, but this is normal in lockbacks. I love this knife and I am planning to order the black-blade, black handle Delica to add to my collection-within-a-collection. (I mainly collect Spydercos but a good chunk of that collection is Delicas) Take this for what it is worth, as it is one person's opinion.

Flinx

PS: after all of these years of use, the blade of my EDC Delica started to get loose, so I put it on a vise at work, and gave the pivot a good tap with a hammer and a punch and it is good as new again.
 
Hey guys, as an aside to this topic, Sergiusz Mitin once posted a diagram that detailed the relationship of the lockbar to the back of the blade and showed why there has to be some up and down play in the blade of a lockback knife. You might try to search and see if you can find it again.

Flinx
 
Originally posted by Flinx
The blade steel is ATS-55. I must be one of the few people who has never had a problem with this steel.
Click to expand...

People have had problems with ATS55? I never have. This is the first I've heard. Anyone else have a beef with ATS55?
 
I don't have that many Delicas, (only three so far) ;) and one of them is in ATS-55 (the other two are VG-10).
I didn't notice any blade play and all of them perform great.
And BTW, the ATS-55 is a very underrated steel IMO. Personally I like it very much. I plan to get an ATS-55 Delica in SE to match my PE one. Not to mention I like the hollow grind more than the flat one currently used at the Delica.
 
I have Delica from 96 with zytel clip ...IMO this is much better than this black paint coated clips :( my Mili looks awfull :barf: ...damn with this clips
 
Got a very new Endura, no problems. No noticible blade play, the blade keeps sharp.
I personally rather have the black steel clips, even though they get their black paint rubbed off
 
I appreciate the link.

What a great community we have here!

You all are awesome! Come on! Everyone take a bow!

Thanks Flinx
 
I was on vacation - Knottsberry farm in CA. I walked into the knife shop there (where I discovered Spydercos in 1985 - and my first folder!). A young man and his girlfriend were looking at knives - several actually, including a SS Delica 50/50. He was weighing his options.
Being the quiet guy I am, I got into the conversation and steered him to the that Delica. I told him about this forum and Spydercos own and welcomed him to the Spydie family.
It was his first folder - or any knife for that matter. It was good to see a wonderful 'birth' like that. But I did warn him it can get addictive?!
 
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