G10 Delica?

B

Bax Axe

Joined
May 6, 2007
Messages
366
I was checking out the original delicas and the new G10 versions of the delica. I noticed that the price of the G10 delica is double the price of the standard delica. Besides a different grind, are the G10 handles the only difference in the two knives? The good thing is that this knife is still very reasonably priced compared to other knives with G10 and other supersteels offered. But I could not help but wonder if there were any other upgrades to this version of the delica. With models like the tenacios that have G10 handles, and sell for about $30, is there something I am missing, or is the G10 delica just priced closer to its competition for knives made with similar materials?

I dont want this to sound like I am complaining about the difference in price. I promise I am not. I think the G10 delicas are great knives for the amount you pay, and really shows that the original delicas and endura are quite possibly some of the best bang for you buck knives out there. Just wondering if there were any other upgrades besides the obvious with this knife.

Thanks

Steve
 
The G-10 versions have skeletonized full liners instead of the nested liners of the FRN version, which means all new tooling for the handle and a little more steel (which keeps getting more expensive), as well as new grind on the blade. In essence, it is a completely new design. Aside from the initial cost of tooling for molds, FRN is much less expensive than the custom G-10 used in Spyderco knives. As for the Tenacious, both the blade steel and labor costs are much lower due to the country of origin. The Tenacious is also a liner lock, which is easier and less expensive to make.
 
If you look at this picture, it looks like it has a solid metal backspacer as well, like the Manix did:

2406819261_c0d71584c4.jpg
 
Sal,
since you're reading this, would you mind making a Caly 3 with the Foliage Green G10 scales? I've been holding back any intended purchases of the Endura or Delica because the Caly 3 is the perfect knife for me. Have the black G10, CF but I would really like a foliage green G10 Caly 3 with the VG10 blade.

Please, sir (alright, maybe I shouldn't be begging, lol).

thanks.
 
Hi Bax Axe,

Spydeco uses fairly fixed margins on all of it's products. The Retail price is based on the cost of manufacture.

Cost of manufacture is based on:

Quality of materials.
Cost of labor.

Comparing the G-10 Delica, FRN Delica and the Tenacious is a very good lesson in economics.

The actual cost of VG-10 is more than double the cost of the 8Cr13MoV found in the Tenacious. The labor cost to process the steel into a blade is also much higher. The "better" steels are more resistant to change. Harder to grind, polish, sharpen, drill, ream and heat treat.

The FRN Delica has an injection molded handle. The mold is expensive, but the handle is formed and finished in one shot. Almost no labor cost.

The G-10 on the Delica is custom made in the USA to our requirements and shipped to Seki. Forming is done with a CNC mill. the shape, holes, chamfers are all quite expensive machine time as opposed to the "one shot" of FRN.

Because of labor costs and skill necessary to make a Delica in G-10, the quantity is limited. Fewer Delica's in G-10 can be mde by a given craftsman in a given time.

Country of origin is the big factor regarding the Tenacious. The G-10 made in China is not as strong as the USA made G-10. But the real issue is labor costs. The labor cost in China right now is about 1/6th the cost of USA or Japanese labor because trhe Chinese Dollar is valued at 1/6th the US dollar.

A $25 dollar per hour machinist in the US is $4 per hour in China. Of course his $4 per hour buys as much in China as our $25 buys in the USA. The value is determined by "higher-ups" in the economic world.

That's why just about all of the major knife companies in the USA are now making most of their knives in China. While our Seki made and USA made knives are better quality made from better quality materials, the market (you) at this time is demanding the lower priced items.

Actually it's a real economic issue in America, which is compounded by the intellectual property issues which are also a problem with China.

Hope that helps.

sal
 
spyken said:
Sal,
since you're reading this, would you mind making a Caly 3 with the Foliage Green G10 scales? I've been holding back any intended purchases of the Endura or Delica because the Caly 3 is the perfect knife for me. Have the black G10, CF but I would really like a foliage green G10 Caly 3 with the VG10 blade.

Please, sir (alright, maybe I shouldn't be begging, lol).

thanks.
Click to expand...

Hi Spyken,

At this time, the G-10 and CF in the Caly3 are made in the US. It would not be a problem to do, but I think it would be a bit too much on the Foliage green in our line-up. The new Barong and Khukuri designs by Ed Schempp are coming out in Foliage green, as is the JD Smith "sprint".

I think the next Caly3 would be an FRN version, which is still quite a ways off because of all of the FRN tooling being done on the H1 models at this time.

sal
 
ah...that's sad to hear Sal, about the Caly not being in foliage. I know the UK boys are lucky, as the UKPK is in foliage......

guess the full flat ground Delica in foliage will have to do for now....
 
Thanks for the responses guys. I thought there was more to it, just didnt know what it was. I cant wait to get one. Very good point as well about the tenacious being made overseas. Great explanation on everything. Thanks again.

Steve
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top