Got to love the Delica.

How about putting 2 full steel liners under the FRN scales?

It would add very little weight and greatly improve the strength and solidity of the knife. This would also provide a good surface to run clip screws into.

I know the Delica's claim to fame is that it is very light, but a couple pieces of sheet metal would not make it into a "pants dragger".

I would wager that if you blindfolded somebody they couldn't tell the difference between a lined and unlined Delica by the weight.
 
Funny, I was coming on here to make the same comment. I have no problem with FRN, I would like steel liners, at least one, on the clip side to tap the three-screw clip into!

Leo
 
Yeah Delica!!!

I actually like everything about the Delica I currently have (ATS-55, no Dent). The barrel screw clip is easy to tighten when necessary - the pocket-change screwdriver was genius. The blade is sufficiently thin to slice really well. Ergonomics are excellent. Cost is low enough that if I lose or damage it, my wallet won't cry. (I'll cry, but my wallet won't)

One thing I'd like to see: make it more widely available. I have no clue how you manage your distributors, but I would really like to see the Delica on sale more places, so more people could get the Spyderco experience. I've noticed that REI has stopped carrying spydercos, which made me sort of sad. The knives that they currently stock are inferior, in design and value, to the Delica. You probably don't want to deal with Walmart - I'm sure they would try to muscle you on price and generally be a pain in the neck - but they do have a huge market, and again the Delica is well above their present stock in design and value.
 
There are three reasons I prefer the older plastic clip Delicas and Enduras:

1. The plastic clips work very well on sweats and other thicker materials. Plus, they are nice and simple.

2. The thicker area around the pivot seems to give a more solid feel to the blade opening. It just doesn't flex as much as the thinner FRN on the newer Delicas & Enduras (and the Goddard L.W.).

3. The slightly shorter blade, which has been carried on by the all stainless steel Delica II. A bit more margin for "legality" in certain areas, plus I just prefer it in any side by side comparison.


If you would use a new mold for the Delica (or Endura), please consider a slightly thicker area around the pivot to give a more solid feel.

I don't expect you'll go back to the old plastic clip, but that's minor. Just make sure any new clip designs are not too grippy. This is kind of difficult since there are so many pants/skirt/waistband materials out there so it won't work perfectly in all cases (the old plastic clips were not too secure in thin dress slack pockets, for instance). It really is up to the user to choose the best knife for the day's carry. Folks with thin fabric pockets shouldn't be clipping old-style Delicas in them and expecting the knife to stay put.

A thicker blade might be nice. Metal liners would probably up the price too much.

In general, giving the Delica a little more robustness in blade opening "feel" (thicker FRN around the pivot area) and in the handle strength would be an improvement. So maybe a thicker all around FRN handle? If so, you could then add some more "grippiness" in the handle texture when you make the new mold. :)

I am actually quite satisfied with my blue Delica as it is. I will still have my old Delicas for those times I wish for them to accompany me. :D

The metal clip Delicas are great for left hand carry.

Karl
 
Some thoughts to share on metal liners:

The current Delica weighs in an about 56.7gms. A single steel liner for the Delica would weigh about 13.5gms. Adding one would raise the weight about 16%, and adding two would increase the overall weight by about 32%.

Adding steel liners means that there must be two scales instead of a one piece handle. Add the cost of the mfg the steel liners plus the cost of assembly, screws, etc. and now you've raised the cost of manufacture by quite a bit. This would reflect in a much more costly piece which I think would kill the model.

The reason availablility is difficult is because most of the stores like REI make more $ on the "inferior" pieces and they sell faster because of the lower price. They are in business to make money.

Having the "better" quality available does not sell unless there is a knowledgable sales person that can articulate the difference between the less expensive model and a Spyderco. Not likely in an REI or similar store.

Making the blade thicker would again add both weight (more than you'd think) and cost.

Making the Delica heavier and more expensive would, IMO, not help sales at all, and I'm not convinced it would be a "better" performing knife.

The plastic clips had two inherant problems; 1) they broke more than we'd like. We changed the mold 6 times in an effort to find the right combination with no real success. 2) The FRN loses its memory after 30 days of consistant "stretch" which reduces tension to the point where customers were losing knives.

sal
 
No metal liners for FRN models like the Delica or Native.
These knives are plenty strong and robust as they are, without metal liners. I appreciate their present light weight and strength. Cost aside, I would be less likely to by the above FRN knives if they had metal liners, due to their increased weight and perhaps greater bulk. Add in a higher cost and you're really looking at trouble. So, no metal liners. I am secure enough in my masculinity that I don't need such artificial enhancements as superfluous metal liners on already highly evolved FRN knives such the Delica and the Native.

Strong, sturdy, lightweight, reasonably priced FRN knives - keep them coming.
 
To me the Delica is the quintessential Spyderco knife. It has excellent ergonomics, is the perfect size, made from great materials (in any variation)and very affordable. Keep 'em coming Sal.
 
Lets not! The Delica is a great slicer. (Would be better with full flat grind!) The whole reason that the Delica is my work EDC is because of it's thin blade that slices kind of like a slipjoints would. It's basically a slipjoint blade (It's thicker I know..but good for a modern folder) with a good lock, better ergos, better steel, one hand opening, and a pocket clip. :D I love it! So even though it's not going to happen because Sal says the cost will go up too much, I think those who suggested it should think twice about that.
-Kevin:)
 
I understand what you mean about weight/cost over the thicker blade idea.

How about just a thicker tip, though? I am under the assumption that the blades are cut from a full piece of stock, so, could the geometry be changed just a little bit to leave a bit more on the tip area? It would add weight, but I had a progrip, (a blade I LOVE) and it never seemed very heavy at all.
 
Originally posted by marty123
I am secure enough in my masculinity that I don't need such artificial enhancements as superfluous metal liners on already highly evolved FRN knives such the Delica and the Native.
Click to expand...

Marty,

I don't see what one has to do with the other.

While the supposed superfluous nature of metal liners may be debatable, I have seen to many strange failures of injection molded Nylon parts to trust it as a handle material all by itself; especially when said handle is holding a sharp blade. Masculinity has nothing to do with it.

If you feel differenly, great; I'm glad you like your knife.

If you would like to turn this into an engineering discussion I'll be happy to oblige you.

Sal,

While I have to respectfully disagree about the value of liners compared their weight; I understand your point about the difficulty and cost of converting the Delica design to accept them. It would likely have to be modified to the extent that it would become a different knife entirely.

How about replacing the set pins with screws, so customers can adjust the blade tension to their liking and (for those of us who don't value warranties) take it apart for cleaning and repair.
 
In my above reference to masculinity, I was joking.

Maybe I should clearly state my humourous intent when I make a funny.
 
The pre-98 Delica with 8A steel was my first Spyderco (too bad I no longer have it :( ). I really miss the old style with the integral clip as I found it had better hand ergonomics than the newer styles (too thin cross-section). But on the other hand, I had problems with the plastic clip breaking and with the memory it developed after being worn in the pocket so long, ie the clip "stretching." As far as updating the current model, I'd keep the saber grind and VG10 steel, but perhaps "thicken" the handles without adding a liner and change the current metal clip to a wire clip (holds very well and doesn't seem to twist like the barrel-bolt ones). There's really not much more you can do to improve on perfection! ;)

OBTW....I'd keep the current blade thickness and the Boye-detent lock.
 
Also, fishbulb, you say that you've seen many strange failures of injection-molded nylon parts.
I can recall having some injection-molded parts fail on me on odd occasion, things like Fastex-type quick-release buckles, but I believe those items that failed are not FRN (Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon); not reinforced nylon but just plain nylon with nothing added.
I know a some others on BF have criticized FRN, but FRN knives without metal liners, as done by Spyderco, seem fine with me.

And I am secure enough in my emasculation to state this opinion openly. (funny)
 
Mark me down for a G10, flat grind, VG10 Delica. I will buy one. While you are at it, make the blade 1/8" thick.

I've had my delica for about14 years.
 
I have two suggestions about the Delica. Change to a black wire clip. (I see that the wire clip is covered elsewhere.) And change the blade to the one on the carbon fiber model. I traveled to Washington, D.C. this week and almost lost my FRN version. Seems the police are taking the 3" limit VERY seriously. It stayed in the hotel room the rest of the time. I didn't bring my CF because I didn't want to chance losing it in my baggage. If you could switch the blade it would make it legal most everywhere and change the FRN to a better grade of steel. Please consider this option. The Delica is my favorite knife and I would love to be able to carry it when I travel.

One other idea. (I lied this makes three.) How about a limited run with colored G10 or aluminum handles and a compression lock?
 
I actually have a strange request for a future Delica...

_Downgrade_ the steel. Not on all of the FRN Delicas, but on a "budget" Delica (or maybe a whole new "budget" model with similar dimensions)

The FRN and SS Delicae hit their price points by compromising on different things. I find FRN perfectly acceptable, and I find AUS-6 perfectly acceptable. You guys over in Golden seem to agree. The two together would make for a low-cost knife that's still head and shoulders above anything else near that price point.

I like having a premier steel in _my_ knives, but lots of people just can't justify the additional cost.

Right now, both Delicas retail around $68 (under $50.00 from most Internet dealers). If you could hit around the $50 MSRP mark (same range as the Dragonfly and Cricket--under $35 online), all of my friends would be getting Spydies for their birthdays :D

I think a low-cost Delica could be the world's best utility knife for non-knife-people.

But then, I don't have access to the kind of market data you guys do ;)
 
Gullwing...I'm just right down the road from you...Didn't know there were any other Spyder fans so close to home...
 
Originally posted by Grover_Cephas
I actually have a strange request for a future Delica...

_Downgrade_ the steel. Not on all of the FRN Delicas, but on a "budget" Delica (or maybe a whole new "budget" model with similar dimensions)

The FRN and SS Delicae hit their price points by compromising on different things. I find FRN perfectly acceptable, and I find AUS-6 perfectly acceptable. You guys over in Golden seem to agree. The two together would make for a low-cost knife that's still head and shoulders above anything else near that price point.

I like having a premier steel in _my_ knives, but lots of people just can't justify the additional cost.

Right now, both Delicas retail around $68 (under $50.00 from most Internet dealers). If you could hit around the $50 MSRP mark (same range as the Dragonfly and Cricket--under $35 online), all of my friends would be getting Spydies for their birthdays :D

I think a low-cost Delica could be the world's best utility knife for non-knife-people.

But then, I don't have access to the kind of market data you guys do ;)
Click to expand...


A Delica with a good selection of blade steels is a good idea. You can call it the "Budgit Delica";).
 
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