Looking for a similar blade to a Spyderco Delica?

J

JDX

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Mar 2, 2014
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I love my Delica. The size, blade shape and thickness, all of it. But the frn leaves a lot to be desired for me. Sure I can get aftermarket scales, but I was wondering if there was a knife out there with similar specs of the Delica but possibly more robust? I had the native 5 in g10, but the back lock was a bit too stiff for me unlike the Delica.

It doesn't have to have a back lock. I'm just looking for something a bit beefier. I was considering the pm3, but a part of me also wants to venture away from spyderco. The only knives I own or owned that weren't spyderco are a ZT 0350, kershaw blur in s30v, kershaw leek and a kershaw cryo which was too small for me.

Everyone loves benchmade but for some reason I've never pulled the trigger. Probably because there's some who say the plastic handles feel a little cheap which reminds me of the frn on the Delica. So what are your thoughts?

Just general edc here, breaking down cardboard, opening packages, cutting through ropes and cordage, other light duty tasks. Same price range as the Delica, $60 or less. I do not like the Ontario rat 2, the handle doesn't do it for me. Which is funny since I have the rat 1 and love it. I'm not afraid to look on an auction site for a generally more expensive knife if it's heavily recommended.


Thanks for the help!
 
JDX said:
I love my Delica. The size, blade shape and thickness, all of it. But the frn leaves a lot to be desired for me. Sure I can get aftermarket scales, but I was wondering if there was a knife out there with similar specs of the Delica but possibly more robust? I had the native 5 in g10, but the back lock was a bit too stiff for me unlike the Delica.

It doesn't have to have a back lock. I'm just looking for something a bit beefier. I was considering the pm3, but a part of me also wants to venture away from spyderco. The only knives I own or owned that weren't spyderco are a ZT 0350, kershaw blur in s30v, kershaw leek and a kershaw cryo which was too small for me.

Everyone loves benchmade but for some reason I've never pulled the trigger. Probably because there's some who say the plastic handles feel a little cheap which reminds me of the frn on the Delica. So what are your thoughts?

Just general edc here, breaking down cardboard, opening packages, cutting through ropes and cordage, other light duty tasks. Same price range as the Delica, $60 or less. I do not like the Ontario rat 2, the handle doesn't do it for me. Which is funny since I have the rat 1 and love it. I'm not afraid to look on an auction site for a generally more expensive knife if it's heavily recommended.


Thanks for the help!
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Did you try doing an internet search for such a knife? Bladehq and knife center have good search abilities where you can narrow down your criteria to exactly what you want. That is what I would do if I was in your situation. Or just get a para3.
 
JDX said:
I love my Delica. The size, blade shape and thickness, all of it. But the frn leaves a lot to be desired for me. Sure I can get aftermarket scales, but I was wondering if there was a knife out there with similar specs of the Delica but possibly more robust? I had the native 5 in g10, but the back lock was a bit too stiff for me unlike the Delica.
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Spyderco Mantra 1

Just saw you want $60 or less, forget the Mantra.
 
if you don't like FRN or Grivory you just have to spend more money, that's all there is to it.
 
cchu518 said:
Google Spyderco polestar !
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Good call, CTS-BD1 is a slight downgrade from vg-10 but its a solid steel, and a solid blade.

but seriously $100 opens doors man.

S30v is some good steel, especially for all the utility cutting mentioned
 
DeadboxHero said:
if you don't like FRN or Grivory you just have to spend more money, that's all there is to it.
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I disagree. I know plenty of knives with g10 that are in my price point. However I was looking for recommendations from people who have handled them. And theoretically if I bumped by budget to $100-$125 what would you suggest then
 
JDX said:
I disagree. I know plenty of knives with g10 that are in my price point. However I was looking for recommendations from people who have handled them. And theoretically if I bumped by budget to $100-$125 what would you suggest then
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So if you know what these knives are why don't you ask if anyone owns them. Are we to guess what they are?
 
JDX said:
I disagree. I know plenty of knives with g10 that are in my price point. However I was looking for recommendations from people who have handled them. And theoretically if I bumped by budget to $100-$125 what would you suggest then
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Me too :D but when you say "similar to a delica" I'm assuming you want good steel too :p
If g10 is the only requirement then you can wander the endless land of g10 with 8cr13mov. Which isn't bad I would totally rock 8cr13mov but it's no Vg10 :D hahaha

Craytab made a solid recommendation with the PM3, I agree and I'm sure more can chime in as well :)
 
Kershaw skyline might be right up you alley.

Kizer has a few that might be close, the begleiter is one that I like that is a little bigger than a BM 940 but smaller than a native so I think it would be pretty close to a delica with a little more curve near the tip and a little longer blade. I think it carries quite well. There's a lot of value in the kizer vanguard series, IMO.

I think the mini-grip is pretty close but you're not going to get the g-10 scales in that price point. I feel like it carries pretty small, has a similar blade shape with the drop point version, and the lock feel is pretty nice. The handle is smaller so it may not be great for your hands or for really hard use but for typical EDC tasks, it's a great choice.

Thinking about how you like the feel of the rat 1 vs a rat 2, I think a spyderco PM2 or 3 might be great options as they fill the hand similarly. I think the manix feels similar in hand in that it really gives a lot to grab onto. I have not handled or purchased one but the coldsteel recon, lawman, or code 4 might be right in that ballpark as well for having a more hand-filling grip. I also want to say my sage 3 fills the hand similarly to the rat 1.
 
Consider the Buck Vantage Pro. G10, S30 V with a great heat treatment,3.25 inch blade. And in your price range.
 
These might be worth a look;

Cold steel MINI Lawman
Cold Steel Recon 1 with 3" blade
Spyderco Byrds with metal or G-10 Handles like the Raven 2 or Robin with titanium handles, Crow
 
I just don't think you'll find anything to compare to the Delica. After all, it is an iconic Spyderco piece. For the price point, the Delica is probably as good as it gets. From the blade shape/steel to the handle material IMO it's the best on the market today. That may be the reason why folks do get after market scales put on them.
If you're looking for a beefier knife, then you'll have to determine what size, shape, material will fit what you're looking for. I'd bet, you'll be jumping up in price for something that will be to your liking.
ZT does have a line of smaller knives, but nothing like the Delica. Check out the ZT 450, 0808 and the 0770
 
JDX said:
And theoretically if I bumped by budget to $100-$125 what would you suggest then
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Most likely need to find used:
Spyderco C11TIPD Delica damascus blade with titanium handles
Spyderco C123 Sage series
Spyderco C172CFTIP Domino series
Spyderco C202TIP Mantra 1

The Mantra 1 is my favorite from the above listed. It is basically a Delica that is a titanium frame lock flipper.
 
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