Endura / Delica - update - need input

Wow again! Nice work Paul. Though the Delica doesn't look like a Delica anymore, but rather like the Calypso jr.
 
dialex said:
Wow again! Nice work Paul. Though the Delica doesn't look like a Delica anymore, but rather like the Calypso jr.
Click to expand...

Thanks Alex, but unless you mean that just adding the fish-scale texturing would make it look more like Calypso Jr., I think you may have mis-read what I was trying to say. My idea was to keep the mods on the Endura and Delica limited to two on the stainless handled versions, and three on the FRN versions. Increase the spyderhole diameter to 14mm for ease of opening with gloved or numb hands. Add traction grooves to the thumb-ramp, preferably fairly fine ones, like those on the stainless Native, for control. Finally, on the FRN versions, change the handle pattern from volcano to bi-directional fish scale, both for improved control and for looks. I'd keep the blade and handle outlines, and the heavily rounded edge on the FRN handles (as opposed to the almost squared off handle edge the Calypso Jr. has) because, to me, those are the things that define these models. I'd stick with the current grinds, mostly to keep the degree of change down, but frankly don't think the "average user" bases their purchase decision on the type of grind.

I did the Endura up in gray, as I do like that color on the Calypso Jr. and would really like to see it used more, but mostly because I though it would show up the texturing better than black. I also left out the Boye dent, although I expect Sal will retain it. I find no benefit to them, think the spoil the "line" of the handle, and some (especially the one on my CF Police) make it difficult for me to close the knife.

The other picture is for something else altogether and, perhaps did not really belong in this thread. It represents an FRN handled version of the "R". The originals, with their skeletonized blades and skeletonized almite handles are beautiful, but sold poorly because they were expensive and somewhat impractical. The basic design, stripped of these costly features is, in my opinion, one of Spyderco's best and very much deserving of a second chance. The deep choil and deep case make it feel great in my hand. With its 3.5" blade, it falls nicely between the Delica and Endura. I propose it, not as substitute for, or redesign of, either of them, but rather as a separate model. I suggest a flat ground blade, to keep it as different from them as possible, to minimize weight, to give users more choice of grinds, and because I like them. I also suggest upping the size of the spyderhole to 14mm and grooving the thumb-ramp and using the fish scale texturing, for the same reasons as I stated for the Delica and Endura. Closest thing to it in the current lineup is the Para-Military, a great knife, but a bit higher priced for some. By keeping the blade thickness of the new "R" to 3mm, like the original, and using FRN for the handle, I would guess the manufacturing costs, if made in Golden, would be comparable to that of the Native, so it would offer folks a choice between superior strength at a higher price or reasonable strength at roughly half that price.
 
All clear now Paul. For some reason, I thought that the FRN "R" is your vision of modified Delica, therefore the comparison with the Calypso jr.
 
Marcelo Cantu said:
Blood grooves to control spray!:D
Click to expand...
HA HA HA HA HA HA
stab.gif
 
Once again, please, no calypso-type choil for the delica, the handle is just too small to do that. Also a lot of people use the delica as a "starter" self-defence knife, and that choil will not help that function.

If anybody wants the choil, please buy the other knives with the choil.

I like the choil only on bigger knives, where you can have two grips on the handle, like the millie or AFCK.

For the Endura, it's big enough to put the choil, but I personally don't really care about it. For me, I don't like the position of the press-part of the locking bar on the E, the mass of my thumb seems to press on it, begging an accidental release. Even before the boye cut-out, I used to grind down the locking bar release myself. So far no endura I have has released accidentally.

No choil, no choil!
 
Whatever you do, please keep VG10, at least as an option. I have not been very impressed so far with S30V in my knives (non-Spyderco).
 
I only own Delicas, no Enduras:
I'd love to see the fishscale texturing à la Grey Calypso Jr.
Full flat grind would be nice, but I don't know if the blade shape would need to be changed to accomodate this-I'd prefer blade shape to stay the same in preference to the change in grind.

Thanks for listening to us Sal!
 
OK, a chance to weigh in on ideas for two of the quintessential folding knives ever, I guess I'll risk the flames.

I own and have owned quite a few Spydercos including a Delica and an Endura trainer, but never an actual Endura. I still have my first Spyderco which was a Delica in FRN with the plastic clip.

(Before we start, yes I know some of these recommendations may conflict with each other- that's why I own more that one knife)

What I like about the current production Enduras/Delicas:
- Ambidextrous with removable metal clip
- Available partially serrated, plain, or fully serrated
- Availability of a "drone" or trainer for self-defense training
- All the other attributes that make it a Spyderco

Why I didn't buy a current production Endura:
I was able to get my hands on a G10-handled Rookie

Is the G10 rookie my perfect dream knife?
Nope not quite, but it is very nice- tactical but non-threatening.

Things the Delica/Endura could learn from other knives:
- I for one do like having steel liners on EDC knives unless it is already solid like the ones with aluminum/stainless handles.
- FRN and stainless are both good choices, not usually my first choices though, so keep offering other choices as you have been known to do in the past with the carbon fiber models, etc.
- Lock back locks are nice and utilitarian but some of us for whatever reason would like to see something more "state of the art". I've yet to try a ball-bearing lock but that looks interesting. I know it's a challenge to make something first responders can still use with gloves on, but there you have it.
- An adjustable pivot screw
- Choice of tip up or tip down, either side-some people just plain prefer one or the other
- Blade shape- Stylistically the Calypso series is nice, so were the smaller of the Goddard series with what I think was a slight swedge? I have a bad habit of losing the tip off my Spydercos (yes, due to abuse) and would feel better with a little less of a needle point. This is also why my Bob T Starmate is a favorite of mine.

Why I never bought one of the "other guys" plastic handled folders mentioned earlier:
- Thumb studs/Oval opening holes which aren't my favorite methods (guess which is?)
- Not as slim as my old Delica, which I have taken anywhere from the gym to scuba diving. I find the plastic clip is actually perfect for concealing in a waistband but that's just me.
- I'm waiting patiently for Sal to get together with Bob T again an make my perfect knife some day.

Hope this helps.
 
nuciform said:
:
Why I didn't buy a current production Endura:
I was able to get my hands on a G10-handled Rookie
Click to expand...

Great idea! Instead of messing with the Delica, wouldn't be better to make a short run of G-10 Rookies? Maybe in full flat grind, like they used to make the G-10 Police?
 
Bigger hole, sturdier clip as in less shifting about, I liked somones idea for an indent in the handle for the end of the clip to rest in. I have carried Delicas and Enduras for quite a while now and think they are the best compromise knife out there for EDC don
t change anything that will specialze them. Spyderco makes lots of great specialty knives that I own and love. With these two stick to making them great GP folders.
The grey FRN is nice looking and I think a tan/khaki would be really nice too. A run of marine style enduras and delicas would be nice too, H1 with bigger holes and colored handles no other changes.
my two cents and thanks for asking Sal

Sam
 
Hello,

my improvements for Endura and Delica:

» three or four screw stainless steel clip (no black clip)

» slip-proof serrations where the thumb sits

» enlarged opening hole (14mm)

» finger choil

» Bi-Directional FRN Texturing

» flat-ground for Endura & Delica (SS & FRN)

» don't change the blade steel, VG-10 is great

» VG-10 for FRN & SS

» screws instead of rivets for blade and lock bar

» G10 and/or CF Models
 
I would like to see a choil for the Endura similar to the Calypso, Jr. Perhaps make a full-sized Calypso with choil and finger grooves like the Calypso, Jr.

I have come to like choils and the Boyd dent locks.
 
dialex said:
Great idea! Instead of messing with the Delica, wouldn't be better to make a short run of G-10 Rookies? Maybe in full flat grind, like they used to make the G-10 Police?
Click to expand...

I've been unable to use my G-10 rookie due to some problems with the condition I received it in when I ordered it from an online dealer, still going back and forth with warranty to see if it will every be usable.

Since then I tracked down a G10 model C19 Terzuola jr. and this is about as good as an urban EDC knife gets IMO. The spine keeps a lot of its thickness down to the tip so the tip is less fragile, just like the Starmate. It's under 3" blade length and has most of the attributes I listed before except the dual metal liners.

http://www.ted.tweakdsl.nl/spyderco/c19/c19_info.html

They both appear to be very good knives. I have a strong suspicion that G10 is not a solid seller in the non-knife nut community. The utilitarian look and feel that so many of us love doesn't seem to translate to the non-knifers I show my collection to. That's why I think aluminum and titanium handles are so cool.

If I was designing a flagship Spyderco right now I would be looking at the utilitarian features of the Bob T designs, the lines of the Calypso and Police series', the handle grip features of the Meerkat , (the swells and pockets add visual interest and gripability without the necessity for checkering).

I would make one model with dual steel liners and a smooth polymer handle a la the Moran fixed blades. I've never handled one but I imagine the feel would be similar to the Centofante Vesuvius. Inlay a shiny bug or Spyderco shield and it's a fairly attractive handle.

Along with that offer a stainless or aluminum model with the same Meerkat-style grip and then do some limited versions done in more exotic materials. The Benchmade 705 and 710 series did a great job of offering alternative materials: grey or olive green aluminum with G10 inserts and even a 710 model with brass handles and rosewood inlays in the spirit of a Buck 110.
 
I'm really excited to see how these ideas are being generated in the forums and reflected in the Spydercos that are hitting the market. I don't think there's any company out there that's as responsive to its customers as Spyderco in this way.

I don't always love every design that makes it past the drawing board but after all these years I still can't wait to see what the next Spyderco will look like. I would like to see a line of products from Spyderco become a force in the industry the way the original Delicas and Enduras were, something that will really shut up the folks who like to hate on Spydercos.

I see it happening more and more, with knives like the Gunting, the Yojimbo, and the Dodo, Spyderco is generating some real winners that the average knife company wouldn't know what to do with. I think now with every day carry knives like the Paramilitary and the new Calypso Jr the company is leading up to something big that the knife industry will really take notice of.
 
Another vote for an enlarged opening hole and a full flat grind. Don't hesitate to put traction-enhancing serrations on the thumb rest. A slightly thinner blade and D'Allara-style texturing would be great improvements as well.

Please don't modify the knife's overall design though! It should still be a Delica/Endura after the modernization program.
 
What if instead of the fish scales for grip he put spyders all over it. That would be different and everybody seems to like the symbol. Just an Idea :cool:
 
I would love to see the Endura/Delica left as is with the exception of two chainges.

1. Change the grind to full flat grind
2. Find a way to make the deep carry pocket clip like Al Mar Sere 2K

3. Not as important, how about a Wave style hook, ala Emerson to open the knife as it is drawn from pocket.

Otherwise I think and FRN/PE Delica is just about perfect. ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top