Just received my FFG Blue Delica? Hard to open?

J

joepa150

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Mar 15, 2010
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This is my first Spyderco. I think the size is perfect and it is thinner than my other edc knives. The blade is really sharp also. What I wasn't expecting was how hard it is to open with one hand. I was expecting to open it like my other knives by pushing out and up while giving a slight flick of the wrist.

Will this ever loosen up?

I was hoping it would be a very quick action/opening knife.
 
None of my Spyderco knives "flick" open. My thumb is on the hole the entire time the blade is traveling from closed to open position.

I don't think lock back knives are known for their "flickability."
 
Try oiling the pivot point a little bit that should make it a little smoother, It is a lockback so it wont be as fast as a liner or framelock
 
You don't want to flick open a lockback, the impact can damage the backspring. I keep my Delica tightened up so i can't flick them open but i can still smoothly open them with a push of the thumb.

However all 3 of my FFG delicas did come fairly loose, had some side to side play. if you really want to flick them open try loosening the pivot screw.
 
joepa150 said:
This is my first Spyderco. I think the size is perfect and it is thinner than my other edc knives. The blade is really sharp also. What I wasn't expecting was how hard it is to open with one hand. I was expecting to open it like my other knives by pushing out and up while giving a slight flick of the wrist.

Will this ever loosen up?

I was hoping it would be a very quick action/opening knife.
Click to expand...

IMHO, flicking open is losing control of the knife. I open my Spydies with a finger in the hole until I hear the click. This is also the most controlled and safe motion I've found. Enjoy your knife!

-Amarendra
 
Lockbacks tend be a little slower in deployment in my experience. They
are retained in the handle a bit tigther and require more initial energy to
get the blade moving. That combined with the small (less inertia) of the
delica blade makes it a little slower and not "flickable". It does break in
a little.
 
I can flick my Delica and all my other knives (including other lockback designs) open without wrist movement and while being in control of the knife the entire time. It just takes the right technique and some practice.

You put the tip of your thumb in the hole and flip your thumb up parallel with the handle. It would seem to make since to push the blade out perpendicular to the handle but it works much better pushing up. You want to flick your thumb and use the resistance of the blade coming out almost like you were snapping, except with your thumb. A little practice and you will be able to flick the blade out as hard as you want.

On the other hand flicking isn't the best thing for a lockback because you can eventually cause the metal to wear from repeated impacts. But you can learn your knife to where you can give it just enough force to come to a stop just as it is locking in place. A lighter flick like this shouldn't be any more damaging than opening the blade with 2 hands.
 
I really don't want or need to flick the knife out especially since it is not good for the knife. I do want to open it smoothly and easily with one hand and in one motion. It seems like I can open it with one hand but I have to stop in the middle and readjust my hand.
 
ditto to flatmtnbkr on using the thumbnail to snap knife open. i'm an old stiff guy but the bradley, zdp endura, the stretch & the vg10 endura acquired in last 6 months operate by a quick snap of my thumb. the trick is slightly in serting the thumbnail into the spydie hole & flicking it open [no trouble]. a word of caution you may wish to tape the edge with a little scotch tape [very edge only]. yrs. ago when i 1st tried this the store clerk went to get a bandaid & i said bring several paper towels instead.spydies open like greased lightnin if done right.i'm not concerned about any slight damage i just buy another knife but i have'nt found this necessary to date.
 
My Delica also has a great deal of resistance when opening it. The Gayle Bradley is like butter. My HK 14205 is just smooth as glass but I just cannot get used to the Delica.

I have oiled mine with Benchmade Lube and drove my wife nuts watching TV.
Click,,,,,Click,,,,,Click,,,,,Click,,,,Click,,,,Click,,,,Etc.:D
 
The delica/endura back lock smooths in over the years until it gets so smooth no lube is really needed. I have a few that go back to around 92 or so that are smooth as silk. I wouldn't worry. Just keep it clean & lubed and open it as needed. You won't notice the difference for a while but it will sneak up on you.

Just make sure not to let and hard, or damaging type grit get in there to score it and you will have a knife that just gets better and better as the years go by.
 
Sigguy said:
My Delica also has a great deal of resistance when opening it. The Gayle Bradley is like butter. My HK 14205 is just smooth as glass but I just cannot get used to the Delica.

I have oiled mine with Benchmade Lube and drove my wife nuts watching TV.
Click,,,,,Click,,,,,Click,,,,,Click,,,,Click,,,,Click,,,,Etc.:D
Click to expand...

So did you ever get it to loosen up and open easier?
 
DennisStrickland said:
ditto to flatmtnbkr on using the thumbnail to snap knife open. i'm an old stiff guy but the bradley, zdp endura, the stretch & the vg10 endura acquired in last 6 months operate by a quick snap of my thumb. the trick is slightly in serting the thumbnail into the spydie hole & flicking it open [no trouble]. a word of caution you may wish to tape the edge with a little scotch tape [very edge only]. yrs. ago when i 1st tried this the store clerk went to get a bandaid & i said bring several paper towels instead.spydies open like greased lightnin if done right.i'm not concerned about any slight damage i just buy another knife but i have'nt found this necessary to date.
Click to expand...

So you got bit by the blade of the Spydie hole?
 
no the spydie hole doe'st cut. the blade cuts when your finger slips into path of blade. in the last years i have'nt gotten a spydie cut from flicking it open, i'm 71 years & do'nt see why you youngins ca'nt do this simple opening.
 
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