You who have one/both of these blades, please respond which is better with regard to - general utility use, ease of deployment, low 'pocket signature', possible defensive value, etc. I would like o include the Ascent in the equation, but lots of unfavorable posts re: BM quality have me sticking to Spyderco for this purchase. Also - which edge finish is better on the model you like. Thanks !
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Help me choose - Delica vs. Native
- Thread starter RH
- Start date
Well, I had a Endura until last summer when i lost it on a painting job
. However, since the Delica & the Endura are a very similar beast, Ill tell you about mine. It felt very good in hand, and was sharp out of the box. Man did I love that knife. Mine was back in the days of the AUS-8 blades, now i think they are using ATS-55. Ya know, you should post this in the spyderco forum, maby you have already, just a thought. Whichever one you get im sure youll like it. Oh by the way, i think there is a Native in AUS-10, with a stainless handle, sounds very cool. Hope this helps.
Andrew
Andrew
- Joined
- Jul 9, 1999
- Messages
- 3,316
To sum it up:
The Delica ROCKS!
BUT!
The Native RULES!
They will both do the job as self defense folders, however, I like the Native for that job if it came down to it. Reason? The deep finger choil keeps your pinkies off the edge if thrusts are involved in your self defense scenario. This blade is gonna be even better as Spyderco, I hear, is upgrading the steel to CPM440V (WOOHOO!!), general utility use is a tie IMO, they are both excellent in this regard and it's too hard for me to decide which is better in this regard. Sorry.
They both sit at the same depth in the pocket as far as I can see.
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If it's stupid but works, then it isn't stupid!
[This message has been edited by misque (edited 01-23-2000).]
The Delica ROCKS!
BUT!
The Native RULES!
They will both do the job as self defense folders, however, I like the Native for that job if it came down to it. Reason? The deep finger choil keeps your pinkies off the edge if thrusts are involved in your self defense scenario. This blade is gonna be even better as Spyderco, I hear, is upgrading the steel to CPM440V (WOOHOO!!), general utility use is a tie IMO, they are both excellent in this regard and it's too hard for me to decide which is better in this regard. Sorry.
They both sit at the same depth in the pocket as far as I can see.
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If it's stupid but works, then it isn't stupid!
[This message has been edited by misque (edited 01-23-2000).]
- Joined
- Mar 9, 1999
- Messages
- 489
Yes, they're making the Native in 440V. The Delica, as it stands is ATS-55, which most people would say is better than the GIN-1 used in the CURRENT Native. There is also the BF Native, which is extremely popular among the forumites.
For defensive purposes, the Native, by far. As much as I love my Delica, that point is fairly earned by the Native. This is due to the finger grooves. The handle pattern on the Native sucks though, so for lighter duty work, the Delica is better, with a much better pattern in the zytel.
The Delica is also significantly lighter than the Native, though I wouldn't say the Native is heavy at all.
I had a hard time choosing as well, and I bought a zytel Native. You know what, though? I ended up exchanging it for a Delica, which I really enjoy. One thing IHATE about the Native is the false edge. I REALLY hate them. If Spyderco was to ditch the false edge and improve the handle pattern (the 440V takes care of the steel), the Native would be, in my not-so-humble opinion, one of the best knives ever made. As it stands, it's certainly a good one.
Howie
For defensive purposes, the Native, by far. As much as I love my Delica, that point is fairly earned by the Native. This is due to the finger grooves. The handle pattern on the Native sucks though, so for lighter duty work, the Delica is better, with a much better pattern in the zytel.
The Delica is also significantly lighter than the Native, though I wouldn't say the Native is heavy at all.
I had a hard time choosing as well, and I bought a zytel Native. You know what, though? I ended up exchanging it for a Delica, which I really enjoy. One thing IHATE about the Native is the false edge. I REALLY hate them. If Spyderco was to ditch the false edge and improve the handle pattern (the 440V takes care of the steel), the Native would be, in my not-so-humble opinion, one of the best knives ever made. As it stands, it's certainly a good one.
Howie
i'll take the native over the delica anyday. with the forward choil of the native, i can get full grip on it's handle. that's just not possible with my buddy's delica. also, it's true. the lightweight native is getting 440V. makes a great knife better IMO. the grip pattern could be improved, but the finger grooves take up the slack for me. as for the stainless native, they will continue to get AUS-10, but Sal expected them to be in plainedge in a few short months. i'll get one of them them.
either one you get, rest assured you'll have a good knife.
either one you get, rest assured you'll have a good knife.
- Joined
- Feb 23, 1999
- Messages
- 4,856
RH,
I carried two Delicas (AUS 8), a plain and a serrated, for a number of years. After I got a plain BF Native (in 440V) I started carrying it instead of the plain Delica. So now I carry the plain Native and the serrated Delica. I do most of my utility work with the plain-edged Native. My Native holds an edge longer than the plain-edged Delica I formerly carried.
As far as potential defensive use, I don't have a strong preference for either blade.
My suggestion is: Avoid difficult choices! Get both.
I carried two Delicas (AUS 8), a plain and a serrated, for a number of years. After I got a plain BF Native (in 440V) I started carrying it instead of the plain Delica. So now I carry the plain Native and the serrated Delica. I do most of my utility work with the plain-edged Native. My Native holds an edge longer than the plain-edged Delica I formerly carried.
As far as potential defensive use, I don't have a strong preference for either blade.
My suggestion is: Avoid difficult choices! Get both.
Here is my personaly opinion:
I think they both suck. Please, no flames. This is JUST my opinion.
I have experience with both, kind of. I have had FIVE Endura's and 1 Native. Out of the 2, the Endura was definitly the sturdiest. I loved the serration pattern, it seemed like it could cut for ever. However, I broke the tip off of all five of my Endura's after several months of hard use...I mean really hard use. So, I guess they did alright considering the abuse they received.
The Native however just plain sucked. I got the knife and really liked the looks and the ergonomics...but that was it. The action on this knife just plain sucked. It was stiff as hell, and the blade, being a spear point, was so light that it was immposible to just flick it open. ( I could do that with all of my Endura's) Then I put a huge chip in the blade the first day I owned it, I just dropped it on the dirt while I was doing some work, picked it up and presto changeo a chip. The I bent and broke the flimsy ass tip off the next day. Needless to say, I was not impressed and have decided not to purchase another spyderco...for now. Like you, I am not a big BM fan either so that leaves me looking for a new, tough knife that I can subject to unmentionable horror's!
As a side note, I do also own a Cold Steel XL tanto voyager, and it has withstood 1000X the amount of abuse as my spyderco's, it's even better since I cutoff the integrated clip and put my Natives metal one on. However, I cannot recommend it either, because it has the same faults as the spyderco.(i.e. second rate steel, and Zytel handles) I can say with out hesitation that I will NEVER by another knife with Zytel.
Anyway, that is my take on things, take it or leave it.
Jared
[This message has been edited by Flesh Gordon (edited 01-24-2000).]
I think they both suck. Please, no flames. This is JUST my opinion.
I have experience with both, kind of. I have had FIVE Endura's and 1 Native. Out of the 2, the Endura was definitly the sturdiest. I loved the serration pattern, it seemed like it could cut for ever. However, I broke the tip off of all five of my Endura's after several months of hard use...I mean really hard use. So, I guess they did alright considering the abuse they received.
The Native however just plain sucked. I got the knife and really liked the looks and the ergonomics...but that was it. The action on this knife just plain sucked. It was stiff as hell, and the blade, being a spear point, was so light that it was immposible to just flick it open. ( I could do that with all of my Endura's) Then I put a huge chip in the blade the first day I owned it, I just dropped it on the dirt while I was doing some work, picked it up and presto changeo a chip. The I bent and broke the flimsy ass tip off the next day. Needless to say, I was not impressed and have decided not to purchase another spyderco...for now. Like you, I am not a big BM fan either so that leaves me looking for a new, tough knife that I can subject to unmentionable horror's!
As a side note, I do also own a Cold Steel XL tanto voyager, and it has withstood 1000X the amount of abuse as my spyderco's, it's even better since I cutoff the integrated clip and put my Natives metal one on. However, I cannot recommend it either, because it has the same faults as the spyderco.(i.e. second rate steel, and Zytel handles) I can say with out hesitation that I will NEVER by another knife with Zytel.
Anyway, that is my take on things, take it or leave it.
Jared
[This message has been edited by Flesh Gordon (edited 01-24-2000).]
The Delica in either configuration is a great knife for everyday odds and ends.
The Native is merely a beefier version of the Delica, offering a bigger blade, stronger handle, and marginally improved ergonomics.
Major down side-Native isn't as quick to deploy as is the Delica. I have both configs of each piece, and I can pretty much make anything a one hand gravity knife. But at times I have difficulty opening my Natives with just a flick and a thumb!
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God's choices in inflicicting suffering are unsatisfactory to us, nor are they understandable, unless innocence offends him. Clearly he needs some help in directing the blind fury with which he flogs the earth...
The Native is merely a beefier version of the Delica, offering a bigger blade, stronger handle, and marginally improved ergonomics.
Major down side-Native isn't as quick to deploy as is the Delica. I have both configs of each piece, and I can pretty much make anything a one hand gravity knife. But at times I have difficulty opening my Natives with just a flick and a thumb!
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God's choices in inflicicting suffering are unsatisfactory to us, nor are they understandable, unless innocence offends him. Clearly he needs some help in directing the blind fury with which he flogs the earth...
- Joined
- Nov 24, 1999
- Messages
- 4,981
I really like my Delica a lot. I got the one with zytel handles and ATS55 blade. Its a great little knife thats tough, gets scarey sharp, and holds an edge pretty well. I think the delica packs more blade for handle size than the native too. But you really can't go wrong getting either one.
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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
I was going to buy the only Native I could find at a show this weekend but I couldn't get anyone to wait on me!
I carry two Delicas most days, sometimes swtiching out one for my Endura or AFCK. I find the Delicas to be super handy. The size makes them perfect for every situation and clothing style.
Eventhough I have the other Spydercos, I will eventually get a Native. If you can only have one Spyderco, get the Delica. Later you will want the Native. Spydercos are social knives, they always want company!!
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Travis Autry
My knives are just like rabbits---they keep multiplying!!
I carry two Delicas most days, sometimes swtiching out one for my Endura or AFCK. I find the Delicas to be super handy. The size makes them perfect for every situation and clothing style.
Eventhough I have the other Spydercos, I will eventually get a Native. If you can only have one Spyderco, get the Delica. Later you will want the Native. Spydercos are social knives, they always want company!!
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Travis Autry
My knives are just like rabbits---they keep multiplying!!
I like the native very much, and would choose it over a delica. For size in my hands though, I would compare a Native to an Endura. The delica feels too small in my hands. I do like the Native partially for it's looks, and the metal clip (Though I guess Spyderco has changed that on their other knives now too)I've bent it out several times on odd and assorted things, and a pair of pliers fixes it.
As far as spydercos in general, of the returns they get (Based on seconds available at their sales) tips and clips do almost all of it. I did once find a return that it took me a day or two to figure out. Someone had broken the tip, about a quarter inch or a little less, and then done a first rate job of regrinding the darn thing. I had to compare blade lengths (The knife was obviously used, it wasn't a factory thing) to determine the fault. A lupe might have done it too... On the other hand, judging by the number of broken knives they have at their seconds sales, they seem to honor their guarantee, even for tips.
And one last note, for cutting cheese, I like the fine grooves on the Native, it slides through easier than a smooth sided blade. However, for cardboard, it slows it down, and can produce a noticeable, irritating noise. 'Course, that came from a job where I sharpened my knife every day when I got back from work, because its edge was on it's last legs after all that cardboard.
Stryver, who misses Golden
As far as spydercos in general, of the returns they get (Based on seconds available at their sales) tips and clips do almost all of it. I did once find a return that it took me a day or two to figure out. Someone had broken the tip, about a quarter inch or a little less, and then done a first rate job of regrinding the darn thing. I had to compare blade lengths (The knife was obviously used, it wasn't a factory thing) to determine the fault. A lupe might have done it too... On the other hand, judging by the number of broken knives they have at their seconds sales, they seem to honor their guarantee, even for tips.
And one last note, for cutting cheese, I like the fine grooves on the Native, it slides through easier than a smooth sided blade. However, for cardboard, it slows it down, and can produce a noticeable, irritating noise. 'Course, that came from a job where I sharpened my knife every day when I got back from work, because its edge was on it's last legs after all that cardboard.
Stryver, who misses Golden