K390 Delica

[LostCause]

Glad you're liking it! I'll probably get one at some point, but I'm trying to space out my purchases so I don't go to crazy with things. I already own so many knives I've barely used but there's always something shiny and new around the corner.

I like the choil and being right up on the blade, it makes me feel like I have more control. Some of my knives I feel like I'm so far back from the blade. Probably just personal style/preference/use cases. The diversity of the community is interesting to me - like that pet peeves thread and like 1/3 of them were pet peeves of mine, 1/3 i was indifferent about, and 1/3 I strongly disagreed with. In the knife world, there's something out there for everyone though

Agreed on it! I like guard on a knife for example, while some people hate it and prefer puukko style with no guard at all.

 

[rlewpolar]

I tried it out in the past so I know it's a good knife and I liked it, but it just isn't it. I'm not buying smaller knife for the sake of having smaller knife.
I want something slicier and something that looks nice, for more formal occasions. K390 with patina and blue handle is pretty much something like that.

I'd honestly prefer if mini Recon1 had black screws and pocket clip like regular one.
It is like my regular Recon1, just it's still not Recon1. If you understand what I want to say. Different feel, different handle material, different blade steel and different action.
It is like smaller Recon1, but worse in every aspect. Cheaper feel, shiny clip, gritty action, uneven grinds and downgraded steel.

Even if it still had handle it has, just with better action like regular Recon1 and grinds as symmetrical as the regular one - I'd get it in a heartbeat, even if price is higher.
- and if it was in S35VN too, then I'd pay for it as much as K390 Delica costs.

I hear you. It would have been good if they made it exactly like the Recon 1 (same materials as well), just smaller. I do have the mini though (spear point version) and I got a good specimen. Smooth action, perfect grinds. I can live with the AUS10a. For $45, it’s an amazing knife. But it’s no K390 Delica, that’s for sure

 

[yepimonfire]

Went with K390 Delica.

Chaparral was tempting but handle is confusing, plus I know a guy that chipped his on zip tie.

Toughness, corrosion resistance, and edge retention are always at odds with each other, k390 is very tough even on thin blades (a coworker actually used my k390 dragonfly to pry a locked door open and it only suffered minor edge rolling) and will hold an edge for a ridiculously long time.

It will patina over time but that's not a problem unless it's a show piece. A very light coat of oil will go a long way for preventing rust. You don't need to soak it and carry an oily knife in your pocket, just coat and lightly wipe the excess off with a microfiber towel and that's enough.

 

[LostCause]

I hear you. It would have been good if they made it exactly like the Recon 1 (same materials as well), just smaller. I do have the mini though (spear point version) and I got a good specimen. Smooth action, perfect grinds. I can live with the AUS10a. For $45, it’s an amazing knife. But it’s no K390 Delica, that’s for sure

Yeah, that's nice. Seems like they saved a bit on QC then. The one I was handling had gritty action and grinds all over the place. Nothing wrong with AUS10 either.

 

[LostCause]

Toughness, corrosion resistance, and edge retention are always at odds with each other, k390 is very tough even on thin blades (a coworker actually used my k390 dragonfly to pry a locked door open and it only suffered minor edge rolling) and will hold an edge for a ridiculously long time.

It will patina over time but that's not a problem unless it's a show piece. A very light coat of oil will go a long way for preventing rust. You don't need to soak it and carry an oily knife in your pocket, just coat and lightly wipe the excess off with a microfiber towel and that's enough.

That's why I went with K390. To have peace of mind.

Regarding patina, I plan to use it to cut fruit and raw meat to get patina on it naturally, and then I'll just use thin layer of oil. That combo of patina and oil should be good.

 

[LostCause]

So, after handling and using K390 Delica - I'm more than impressed.

The size is perfect for intended purpose, comfortable handle, opening with spydie hole and smooth action are just perfection.

Knife itself is slicey and I'm more than impressed.

I am definitely happy with my purchase.

 

[whp]

So, after handling and using K390 Delica - I'm more than impressed.

The size is perfect for intended purpose, comfortable handle, opening with spydie hole and smooth action are just perfection.

Knife itself is slicey and I'm more than impressed.

I am definitely happy with my purchase.

I m glad you like the k390 Delica. My k390 Endura has a heavy brown discoloration of the blade that developed with outdoor work near the salt water, before I began applying a bit of oil. The blade still performs fine, and holds an edge well.

Since you re a Cold Steel user like me, I have a suggestion for your next small knife purchase. The Holdout 1 has been in the bottom of my pocket as a second carry work knife for the last year or more. My main work knife I carry is often a Recon1, AL or UH. But I find I m using the Holdout more than my bigger carry knives. First time I ve ever edc d a second knife. And the first time I ve ever edc d a 3 inch blade at work. Very slicy. Very strong. Can handle about any job I have.
Now on sale on a site in the middle of the country.

 

[rlewpolar]

I m glad you like the k390 Delica. My k390 Endura has a heavy brown discoloration of the blade that developed with outdoor work near the salt water, before I began applying a bit of oil. The blade still performs fine, and holds an edge well.

Since you re a Cold Steel user like me, I have a suggestion for your next small knife purchase. The Holdout 1 has been in the bottom of my pocket as a second carry work knife for the last year or more. My main work knife I carry is often a Recon1, AL or UH. But I find I m using the Holdout more than my bigger carry knives. First time I ve ever edc d a second knife. And the first time I ve ever edc d a 3 inch blade at work. Very slicy. Very strong. Can handle about any job I have.
Now on sale on a site in the middle of the country.

I have that Holdout knife and I have to agree. It is a very capable and strong knife. Makes me want to buy that monster 6” version

 

[whp]

I have that Holdout knife and I have to agree. It is a very capable and strong knife. Makes me want to buy that monster 6” version

The 6” Holdout is a fine blade. If the 4”Holdout ever becomes available again, I d give that a hard look. That is a fine edc.

 

[rlewpolar]

M

The 6” Holdout is a fine blade. If the 4”Holdout ever becomes available again, I d give that a hard look. That is a fine edc.

The 6” Holdout is a fine blade. If the 4”Holdout ever becomes available again, I d give that a hard look. That is a fine edc.

My only complaint about the Holdhout is that it really doesn’t have any kind of finger guard. And yet, the shape and strength of the blade makes it very tempting to stab stuff. People claim that they’ve never had a problem with slipping onto the blade while stabbing but I’m leery. But as a slicer and cutter, it really shines

 

[LostCause]

I m glad you like the k390 Delica. My k390 Endura has a heavy brown discoloration of the blade that developed with outdoor work near the salt water, before I began applying a bit of oil. The blade still performs fine, and holds an edge well.

Since you re a Cold Steel user like me, I have a suggestion for your next small knife purchase. The Holdout 1 has been in the bottom of my pocket as a second carry work knife for the last year or more. My main work knife I carry is often a Recon1, AL or UH. But I find I m using the Holdout more than my bigger carry knives. First time I ve ever edc d a second knife. And the first time I ve ever edc d a 3 inch blade at work. Very slicy. Very strong. Can handle about any job I have.
Now on sale on a site in the middle of the country.

I just started writing response to see someone has already written what I was about to say.

My only complaint about the Holdhout is that it really doesn’t have any kind of finger guard. And yet, the shape and strength of the blade makes it very tempting to stab stuff. People claim that they’ve never had a problem with slipping onto the blade while stabbing but I’m leery.

This is exactly what's bothering me too. That blade shape and no guard...

 

[JWright214]

Apologies in advance because of long post.

So I just received the knife. It's still in package. I'm going to work now (noon shift) and plan to unbox it tommorrow after work (morning shift). And will write quick review tommorrow.

So I had K390 Endura that I ended up selling.
I liked the spydie hole, I liked the edge retention, I liked the sliciness, I liked the action... But I didn't like that it was so long and so thin. I'd always be concerned it'll snap on me. Having folder of that size yet so thin was always making me a bit anxious. Other issue was uphill battle vs corrosion with it during summer (or having something oily in pocket instead).

Currently I have spear point Recon1 that is my most carried knife and EDC I use for pretty much everything.
Tough, tanky, stainless and has good edge retention. But, it's kinda big for some occasions. Also, I used to have smaller folder (Medium Vaquero Voyager) that I gifted to someone as it was bit clunky for it's size and also looked kinda ridiculous (especially for said occasions).

So I had just 1 folder, and decided I could use a smaller folding knife too.

Decided to go with Delica as it's lightweight, small and reliable. And in VG-10 vs K390 - I decided to go with K390 with price difference being just 40€. And ironically, it's the same price as S30V mini Bugout.

Also looked at CTS XHP Chaparral, CTS BD1 Para 3 and Dragonfly in S30V. But those models left me confused because of these finger choils on the handle. My fingers would be either too close or too far from the edge. I'd literally get confused each time I open the knife.

What are your opinions?

I have delicas, a chaparral, and the even smaller dragonfly. If you think the delica is too thin, you will hate the chap and dragonfly. None of them are too thin in my opinion, but I only use knives for cutting stuff. The finger choils on the chap, dragonfly, etc are great for making a small knife more usable. Always use the choil, that’s by design. And for rust, you don’t have to have something oily in your pocket. A thin layer of oil will do or you can opt for various waxes or dry lubricants like tuff cloth. Even more accessible way to prevent rust is chapstick, just a thin layer using your index finger.

 

[LostCause]

I have delicas, a chaparral, and the even smaller dragonfly. If you think the delica is too thin, you will hate the chap and dragonfly. None of them are too thin in my opinion, but I only use knives for cutting stuff. The finger choils on the chap, dragonfly, etc are great for making a small knife more usable. Always use the choil, that’s by design. And for rust, you don’t have to have something oily in your pocket. A thin layer of oil will do or you can opt for various waxes or dry lubricants like tuff cloth. Even more accessible way to prevent rust is chapstick, just a thin layer using your index finger.

Delica is of OK thickness, while Chapparal would be too thin.

Finger choils would be good if I had intentions to carve. However - I do not. I feel uncomfortable putting my finger so close to the edge. Especially as there's nothing except the tang there. Even with some jimping - I just don't trust it.
If I grab it on handle only - then I'm too far from the edge, and ergos are messed up too.
It kinda forces you to choke up, and for majority of tasks I use a knife for, I eitger don't need that or it even makes it harder... just terrible handle design IMO.

Oiling thing stands for sure tho.

 

[JWright214]

Delica is of OK thickness, while Chapparal would be too thin.

Finger choils would be good if I had intentions to carve. However - I do not. I feel uncomfortable putting my finger so close to the edge. Especially as there's nothing except the tang there. Even with some jimping - I just don't trust it.
If I grab it on handle only - then I'm too far from the edge, and ergos are messed up too.
It kinda forces you to choke up, and for majority of tasks I use a knife for, I eitger don't need that or it even makes it harder... just terrible handle design IMO.

Oiling thing stands for sure tho.

Ok

 

[sharp_edge]

K390 Delica and CS Recon 1 should sufficiently cover ALL your needed usage of folding knives. No need to look at or think about more IMO.

 

[Planterz]

If you enjoy sharpening your knives - like you find satisfaction in the skill or you find it therapeutic, you bought the wrong knife by going with the K390 Delica. Damn thing almost never needs sharpening.

 

[LostCause]

K390 Delica and CS Recon 1 should sufficiently cover ALL your needed usage of folding knives. No need to look at or think about more IMO.

That was the goal.

If you enjoy sharpening your knives - like you find satisfaction in the skill or you find it therapeutic, you bought the wrong knife by going with the K390 Delica. Damn thing almost never needs sharpening.

I see sharpening as a chore. I don't mind it, but doing it less is good news too.