Delica or Stretch II?

D

Deal4

Joined
Dec 17, 2011
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Well, nothing too fancy, just looking at getting one of these knives, either the Delica in blue or the Stretch II in VG10. I live close the equator so I don't want to get the ZDP-189 which can rust much easier as you know.
What I want to know is which one you would use for every day carry and why you would pick it over the other? They both are great knives and quite similar, yet they have their own qualities.
I love how compact the Delica is and the blue is calling to me!
The Stretch II is an amazing slicer and I love the blade shape and finger choil.
I am concerned that the Stretch II could be too big for EDC carry in the pocket.
Anyone have both that could tell the characteristics of in the pocket carry? Better yet a picture?:)
Thanks all for your thoughts!
 
I'd vote for the Stretch. It's my favorite Spyderco and, IMHO, the extra half inch of blade and superior ergonomics make it well worth the extra cost.

As for exposure when clipped, I'd say they're pretty darn close. If anything the Stretch is a hair more discreet, but judge for yourself.

Left to right: Delica TD, Stretch TD, Delica TU, Stretch TU

Exposure_Delica_Stretch.JPG
 
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Thanks Deacon! Actually I have seen you mention how much you like the Stretch and that (along with a ton of reviews) is what made me want to check it out. We'll see.
That's one for the Stretch.
How about the Stretch in your pocket? Is there still plenty of room in your pocket to get to your keys, etc? The thicker handle makes me wonder.
I do love how you can just forget the Delica is there if you aren't needing it. (I actually have the byrd Meadowlark II in G10, but would like to step up to the Delica.)
 
I'm a fan of the Stretch as well. Only a little longer closed so fits almost the same in the pocket and just seems to fit better in my hand.
 
Deal4 said:
Thanks Deacon! Actually I have seen you mention how much you like the Stretch and that (along with a ton of reviews) is what made me want to check it out. We'll see.
That's one for the Stretch.
How about the Stretch in your pocket? Is there still plenty of room in your pocket to get to your keys, etc? The thicker handle makes me wonder.
I do love how you can just forget the Delica is there if you aren't needing it. (I actually have the byrd Meadowlark II in G10, but would like to step up to the Delica.)
Click to expand...
Added a photo to show exposure. As for thickness, there's only .5 mm, or .02", difference. To me, that's negligible, but to someone else it may be a huge difference. As for the rest, I'm a bad one to ask. I rarely every carry a knife clipped and never ask one to share a pocket with other things.
 
for the money the delica is extremely hard to beat its an amazing knife. Its super light and thin making very comfortable while wearing shorts which is important atleast to me during the summer months. the stretch looks to have a little bit better ergos with the added half choil other then that it a bit bigger so it weighs an extra ounce and costs a bit more. both are really great knives but the delica gets my vote I love both of mine and will love the 3rd I have on the way.
 
I have had both and carried and used them quite a bit. I now only have the Stretch. It is not very much bigger than a Delica when folded, but it is substantially more knife when it is open. I love the refined ergos on the Stretch so much that I finally sold my Delica as it was getting no pocket time. The Stretch is THAT GOOD.
 
Stretch! The larger handle is more comfortable in a heavy-use grip.
The Stretch carries great. Very light.

Delica is a fine choice too. Get both. :)
 
Just to show how much (little) more room the Stretch would take up in a pocket...

compare_delica_stretch_closed_01.jpg


...hard to believe it packs over half an inch more blade into that handle.
 
The Stretch is one of my favorite Spydercos. Easily up there with the Military and Para 2.
 
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Much prefer the stretch to the delica. Delica is a bit small for me. Also the blue scales show dirt instantly. I have found that the grey doesnt, this surprized me.
 
The Deacon said:
I'd vote for the Stretch. It's my favorite Spyderco and, IMHO, the extra half inch of blade and superior ergonomics make it well worth the extra cost.

As for exposure when clipped, I'd say they're pretty darn close. If anything the Stretch is a hair more discreet, but judge for yourself.

Left to right: Delica TD, Stretch TD, Delica TU, Stretch TU

Exposure_Delica_Stretch.JPG
Click to expand...

Wow, you can't get any clearer than that! Thanks Deacon for the comparison pic! The one with the Delica over the Stretch is a very good one too! I didn't realize how close in size the handles were. This had cleared up a lot of why I was hesitating in picking the Stretch.
Sure wish they offered the VG10 Stretch in the variety of colors like they do the Delica and Endura, but that is a very minor issue.
 
Blade-fiend said:
for the money the delica is extremely hard to beat its an amazing knife. Its super light and thin making very comfortable while wearing shorts which is important atleast to me during the summer months. the stretch looks to have a little bit better ergos with the added half choil other then that it a bit bigger so it weighs an extra ounce and costs a bit more. both are really great knives but the delica gets my vote I love both of mine and will love the 3rd I have on the way.
Click to expand...

I too love the Delica, and the blue looks so nice!
That's 1 for the Delica.
 
Sterculius said:
I have had both and carried and used them quite a bit. I now only have the Stretch. It is not very much bigger than a Delica when folded, but it is substantially more knife when it is open. I love the refined ergos on the Stretch so much that I finally sold my Delica as it was getting no pocket time. The Stretch is THAT GOOD.
Click to expand...
Good to know Sterculius! Wasn't till this thread that I realized how close the handle sizes were.
that's 3 for the Stretch
 
I have both, and if I could only have one, it'd be a very hard choice, but I think I'd lean towards the stretch. Then again, mine is the zdp-189 version and I'm in love with it. I don't think it rust that easily, and if you're using everyday I doubt you'd let it rust on you. Even in VG-10, the handle is still extremely comfortable in hand.
 
Ok, so replying to each post is going to take too long, but I see I theme developing here!:thumbup:
Thanks to each of you for replies, I really appreciate the "family" here working together!:D
I've been wondering about these two knives for sometime but just never got around to asking till now.
Wonder how many hours of reviews I wouldn't have had to do if I had started here? But hey, the reviews are half the fun of owning the knife!

Ok, now how about any complaints about the Stretch? Obviously with a back lock they often generate some small up and down play, but other than that is there other problems anyone has experienced?
 
My chief complaint is that the Stretch doesn't come in more colors. I would love orange, purple and even yellow - and it wouldn't have to be a Salt version either. I just want more colors!
 
One thing I can say about the delica, is it completely disappears in my pocket. Whenever I carry the stretch, I "feel" it a lot more then my delica (which depending on what I'm doing, can actually be a good thing). Not only that, the delica has a ton of color options and is kind of a spyderco classic.

In the end, you can't go wrong with either, and be honest, you'll probably end up with both eventually. :P
 
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