Is there a reason why the Delica can't have a finger choil for the index finger?

N

not_a_virus.exe

Joined
Feb 25, 2014
Messages
35
In the same way we have them in the Paramilitary 2? It seems like such an easy addition to such a fine blade and would make detail work much more comfortable. I'm not an expert with blade geometry so I don't know if this would cause issues with closing it at all, but if ever there was a delica 5, I would love to see this feature. Jimping on both the thumb ramp and a properly curved finger choil would be awesome.
 
There are already several models in the Delica-size range with a choil: The "R", the Native, Sage 4, Chapparal, Byrd Medowlark, and Saver Salt come to mind. I'm sure there are other models as well.

Also, the Stretch has a choil but is a little larger, between the Delica & Endura in size.

I like the Delica as it is, but I like the Native better.

~Chris
 
Last edited:
not_a_virus.exe said:
Is there a reason why the Delica can't have a finger choil for the index finger?
Click to expand...

Probably because it sells quite well without one. Sal has said on more than one occasion that, while "knife aficionados" prefer knives with finger choils, the rest of the knife buying public prefers knives without them. That's the market the Delica, and Endura, are aimed at and I suspect Spyderco sells considerably more of each of them than it does of any model with a finger choil.
 
The Deacon said:
Probably because it sells quite well without one. Sal has said on more than one occasion that, while "knife aficionados" prefer knives with finger choils, the rest of the knife buying public prefers knives without them. That's the market the Delica, and Endura, are aimed at and I suspect Spyderco sells considerably more of each of them than it does of any model with a finger choil.
Click to expand...

+1

This is where one might say "The proof is in the pudding"...a far as sales are concerned. The Delica has gone thru 4 iterations now without the addition of a choil. I would be incredibly surprised if that changes. Personally, I dismissed the Endura for a long time for this very reason. But, in time, I came to realize that I was just missing out on a wonderful knife. If you need a choil, there's a cajillion other Spydercos with one. Sal's got pretty much everyone covered. ;)
 
I think a area for the index finger on the handle would be a good idea, like the military has. If you mean on the blade only the problem would be that the blade is to thin and a choil could be dangerous to the finger.
 
It would make the blade shorter, and it doesn't feel like it needs one to me. Just my opinion though.
 
Hi Not_a_virus,

It might be interesting to note that when I first designed the "4" version, I had one version with a finger choil. Eric felt that it would hurt the market that this model serves. We went back and forth for months and in the end, I decided that Eric was correct and we designed the model to better serve the market it currently serves.

sal
 
Well I guess that settles it then. Nice to know you guys contemplated it when planning it out though. Thanks for the replies Sal and everyone else.
 
not_a_virus.exe said:
Well I guess that settles it then. Nice to know you guys contemplated it when planning it out though. Thanks for the replies Sal and everyone else.
Click to expand...

I'll add a few things here:

1. The Native, Manix, and Para2 have the finger choils, so you have plenty of options.

2. The choil while I prefer it does take up space that you could have an edge. It's a tradeoff to me.

3. With the shorter blade on the delica, it kinda makes sense to keep as much of an edge otherwise you start ending up with a 1.5 inch blade.
 
I do not like choils and I love the Delica as it is. I have knives with choils. I prefer no choil and a finger guard that allows closer access to the blade if required. One slip in a wet, oily, or bloody environment will prove why.
Also, I have seen, and almost did it myself, a guy accidentally place his finger on the sharp edge of his knife when feeling for a hold while working. Ouch. No choils, please.
 
115Italian said:
If you mean on the blade only the problem would be that the blade is to thin and a choil could be dangerous to the finger.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure I understand this. The Dragonfly 2 & Chaparral have thinner blades than the Delica and they have finger choils.

Personally, I think the Delica is good as is. I like that it gives buyers a choice to buy a great knife without a finger choil. As already stated, there are plenty of knives in Spydercos lineup that do offer a choil.
 
The Delica can indeed have a choil if you so desire.
Handles like a smaller and thinner Paramilitary 2.

20160204_183519_zpsn321exuy.jpg
 
I wish it had one because I constantly felt like it was lacking that up-close grip option for fine work, but ultimatly i just sold the Delica and bought a Native 5 LW and fulfilled that desire without too much trouble, plus the Native is an even nicer knife for the cost, so I really came out ahead there.
 
The Deacon said:
Sal has said on more than one occasion that, while "knife aficionados" prefer knives with finger choils, the rest of the knife buying public prefers knives without them.
Click to expand...

I just found out that I'm not a " knife aficionado ". :)

I don't like finger choils , and even went to the extent of altering my Caly 3.5 to get rid of the finger choil lump on the handles scales .
Finger choils on smaller handled knives lock you into how you grasp the knife and are often uncomfortable when holding and using the knife in any way other than the traditional grip .
Leave the Delica alone to grow old gracefully :)

Here is a pic of my altered Caly beside my Delica , you can see how removing the finger lump has opened up the size of the handle and allows much greater options of how it is grasped .

image_zpsolum1pc9.jpeg


Ken
 
Watching this thread; the finger choil usefulness vs. loss of cutting edge is why I'm on the fence with Tenacious vs. Raven 2 right now.
 
coffeemike said:
Watching this thread; the finger choil usefulness vs. loss of cutting edge is why I'm on the fence with Tenacious vs. Raven 2 right now.
Click to expand...


Does my photo not prove that loss of cutting edge is not required for all designs?




But, I will say that I do like my Crow 2 better than my Persistence. I'd probably have similar thoughts if I had a Raven 2 to compare to my Tenacious.
I'm not super biased either way, choil or none, I carry many knives of both styles and I can adapt.
 
orca8589 said:
There are already several models in the Delica-size range with a choil: The "R", the Native, Sage 4, Chapparal, Byrd Medowlark, and Saver Salt come to .

I like the Delica as it is, but I like the Native better.

~Chris
Click to expand...

I will add Caly 3 and 3.5 vs Delica and Endura to the above, they are essentially a Delica/Endura with index choil and "full" leaf shape blade.

Was never that popular to my surprise, perhaps the higher price?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top