Got to love the Delica.

wlifter123

wlifter123

Joined
Oct 16, 2002
Messages
139
Just ordered my third Delica, I just can't say enough good things about this knife. Perfect size, great design, great steel, and a great company to back it up. I've tried to replace it numerous times as my EDC (I'm young and foolish), just couldn't find anything that got to me like the Delica. People can argue all day over what the latest and greatest EDC is, but I always sleep good at night knowing I carry one of these great users.

I'd also like to thank Spyderco for a favor they did for me a few years back. I lost one of the clip screws for one of my spydercos, without hesitation they sent me three more and a spare clip. That's great customer service. Thank you.

-Dan
 
The Delica is my very beloved knife. I also have a lot of Spydies (great knives too) but they just couldn't replace the good old FRN Delica SE as EDC. I even carry it clipped to my pyjamas :)
 
My Delica is my first Spyderco (G-2 stainless with integral clip) which introduced me to the wonderful world of one hand opening folders. I actually "lost" it for about 4 years!!! (got the Walker model to replace it) and then found it again in an old backpack in the closet. Needless to say that was a great day. The Delica is a true classic and a Spyderco model I'll always have.
 
Having bought many production knives from the REKAT Sifu to CRKT, I have to say that I keep coming back to the plain old Delica and Endura for much of my "EDC."

They are IMO, the ultimate combo of utility, value and ergonomics. I especially like the old plastic clip designs. I think Delicas & Enduras are the foremost and primary examples of "tactical/utility folders."

Without any other info concerning specific usage and laws, etc., I would recommend that everyone in the world buy and carry a Delica! You really can't go wrong on this one, especially with the three "flavors" to choose from: all plastic clip, reversable steel clip, and all stainless steel. (Add in the trainers and you nearly have a complete "system." Absolutely wonderful!)

Karl

-black FRN clip Delica (I had two, but gave one away)
-O.D. FRN clip Delica
-black ti blade FRN clip Delica
-pink '98 Delicas (2)
-blue Delica (currently loaned out)
-S.S. Delica
-Delica trainer
(I think that's all! :) )
 
I just don't care for the clip. I like the clip on the lightweight Calypso alot better. Not just for function, but for aesthetics. I was on board back in the days when Spyderco were the only one-handers, and I just like the three-screw clips. However, I understand alot of people want them to be ambidextrous. I never had a problem opening mine to reverse grip in my left hand.
Thanks,

Leo G. :D
 
Sal wrote:

>AS long as we're on the subject. How would you improve
>the current Delica?

First and foremost, I'd make it a full flat grind. But I guess we know that wouldn't sell to the general public. ;)

My biggest problem is with the clip. The "barrel screws" are a really neat idea, but they drive me _nuts_. I've owned or extensively handled five Spydies with barrel screw clips, and they all "wobble" in the handle. It's a bit irritating.

Much worse, though, is the fragility of that little plastic "well" that the clip sits in. I lent my Delica (my favorite EDC at that point) to my girlfriend, who sat down with it oriented in her pocket kinda funny. the clip torqued around and ripped through the little plastic "walls" that're supposed to keep it in place.

Never had any such problems with the three-screw clip on my Calypso Jr. And I've carried that one almost daily for a little over a year now (and lent it to the GF occasionaly :D )

I don't have the same problem with wire clips that many people here seem to, but then I've only actually _used_ the one on the Meerkat. You guys in Golden have gotten to the point where you trust the wire clip on a pricy little knife like the Salsa, a highly-anticipated "premier" knife like the Paramilitary, and a price-point FRN model like the Native III.

If y'all were to make a Delica with a wire clip, I'd definitely be willing to give it a try (it'd be the first time I've ever bought two knives of the same model).
 
The Delica is my favorite EDC knife too. I think I have around 9 models sitting around:

2 Santa Fe Stoneworks
2 current VG-10 models
1 Delica II
1 carbon fiber model
1 ATS-55 w/ Boye Dent
1 ATS-55 w/o Boye Dent
1 pre-98 model with the plastic clip

Plus I've had a few that I sold or traded away. So I guess you could say I like them. I just haven't found anything that suits my needs better than the Delica. I've even given the Small Sebenza TWO chances to earn my EDC spot, but both times I went back to the Delica.

As for improvements, I don't necessarily dislike the design of the current clip, but I hate how the screws look when the paint wears off. I agree that the three screw style would look nicer. Whatever you do, for the love of God, DO NOT ever put a wire clip on the Delica.......I hate those things.

Speaking of the Delica, I remember hearing about an Olive Drab handled model coming out. Do you have any details on that knife, Sal?
 
Hey Leo, Grover & JMB. Thanx for the comments, especially on the clip. I started another thread on the wire clips. I need more input.

Sorry I can't say much about the "upcoming" OD Delica's with black blade. Not for another week or so. Please be patient and don't call on them. No one knows anything, so calls will just waste time.

The project was a custom order for one of our customers. We won't have them or sell them (except for the collectors). I (or sales) should be able to post more information and availability locations from our customer early the week of June 2nd.

sal
 
Thanks for giving us the chance to give you our imput on Delica improvements. I have no experience w/ the wire clip so I'm not sure how I would take that. However, I have no problems with the current clip.

1. If you could make the clip screwed on like the Calypso JR FRN.

2. This is the most important to me... Can you please! Please! PLEASE change the FRN pattern from volcano to something classier!? I love the fishscale pattern and the Spyder Web pattern.

3. Full Flat Grind

4. ok...this isn't really an improvement, but can you give us a limited run with G10?? I would buy one!
-Kevin
 
I don't think that a flat grind would be preferred by the general market, but a G10 handle Delica with a flat grind VG-10 blade might make an interesting Sprint run for knife aficianados (& me).

or perhaps a Titan handle, integral compression lock Delica with a flat grind ZDP-189 stainless blade?

Naturally we'd put a 4 way clip on either one.

sal


______________________________________________

"Refinement is our evolutionary obligation to humankind"
 
Flat grind, Ti handled, compression lock Delica?

Sign me up right now. That's perfect (although a Sebenza style integral lock would be great)
 
I would buy one of each of those.

Question though...can someone tell me about ZDP-189 stainless?? I thought I was fairly good at knowing the bladesteels now, but that one! Never heard of it. How does it compare to S30V, VG-10, ATS-34, 154CM and the like? Thanks.
-Kevin
 
Yup, ya just got to love the Delica. I've had about 10 of 'em through the years (I'm down to only 2 now :(). I carry my stainless plain-edge Delica as one of my EDC folders, and I couldn't be happier with it!.:).
 
Well, Sal, I must be in the minority here, because I love the barrel-screw-clip design. I work in an auto-parts store and the aisles behind the counter are very narrow. I hit my clip all the time on something or other. (When I say "all the time" I mean once a week or so) I caught a cold steel voyager and ripped the screws right out of the frn handle. Everytime I catch my Delica's clip, I just straighten it back and then take two nickels out of my pocket and tighten the screw down as tight as I can. I've never had the clip or the screw work its way loose on me. Yeah the well where the clip goes is a little torn up, (mine is the 98 model, before you put the re-enforcement around well) but once I tighten it back up, I have no problems with it. I don't see how a three-screw clip would work in this situation. It seems to me that it would raise the cost of manufacture because you would have to have little metal inserts for the screws to tighten into. I also like the fact that I can switch the clip from left to right in almost any situation and I don't have to worry about loosing three little screws, or finding the right size screw-driver. Two nickles does the trick. As for the wire-clips, they do work well. I have a cranberry-Salsa that competes for pocket time with my 98 Delica. The problem I have with the wire clips is purely asthetic. I just like the way the other clips look! Plus, the bright shiney wire clips seem to attract more attention than a black, regular clip. Now, if you could blacken the wire clip on the new Native III, I would order one in a heartbeat! (I will probably order one anyway, but a black wire clip would cinch the deal! ) And, of course, if there would be a way to blacken the wire clips (anodizing maybe?) where the black doesn't wear off, I would be a wire clip convert!!

Flinx
 
I like my FRN VG10 Delica. The size does it most for me.
My suggestion would be a pivot smoother than the rivit that is used now. I was hoping for a smoother opening. I'm not expecting Mayo or Sebenza smooth, but was hoping for Odyssey smooth as both are comparable in price.(Bucks ATS34 model)Other than that I'm happy camper.
thanks.
guy
 
Repeating what others have said:

1. Calypso Jr. stlye clip.
2. Calypso Jr. "fishscale" stlye pattern.

I guess I just want the Calypso Jr. back. :(
 
If you wanted to sell me a Delica...

I would put on a three-hole clip (like on the CF & SS models), mounted as far as possible to the end of the handle (for more concealed carry).

And I would make the blade thicker. A lot thicker. Or at least, have a thicker tip. Maybe a tip resembling something like the progrip?

:):):)

Thanks for listening, Mr. Glesser.
 
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