My Spyderco Delica 4 FFG

[Chris "Anagarika"]

James,

Agreed. Reprofiling is tougher, but touch up can be easier as its burr isn't as tenacious as VG10.
Shaving is where VG10 can be smoother, while SuperBlue is crisper.
Hard to describe, needy one to experience himself.

 

[MostMenAreRuthless]

Thanks for all the comments and participation in the thread guys--I love it!

I am what I would describe as a very average user and even more average sharpener! My cutting tasks are generally the simple everyday type stuff as you have sen in the thread. So, for me I prefer ease of touch-up over other steel properties and my ownership of Super Blue and HAP40 is mostly for cosmetic/pleasure reasons.

That being said, the two steels I have carried and used have been primarily VG-10 and on a limited basis the Super Blue Delica; I have never used the HAP40. Super Blue gets super sharp via stropping with grey/green compound and seems to be easy to touch up. However, in my experience and in my uses it isn't "superior" enough over VG-10 for me to salivate over it. VG-10 has been a great steel for me, easy to touch up, decent retention, gets sharp, and is a breeze to maintain (as far as rust/blemishes/etc.)

To be honest, the main reason I wanted the Super Blue was because how cool I think the edge with a patina vs the stainless main blade looks! I also like how you can see the patina on the spine in between the sandwiched layers. I know it is a little silly to like a knife so much just for how the edge looks!

Bottom line for me: given the value pricing of the VG-10 Delica I would take 2 of those over 1 SB or HAP40 Delica!

 

[Sharp Guy]

Thanks for the feedback on the steels guys! It all agrees with everything I've read. MMAR thank you for allowing me to intrude on your thread. My knife use sounds very similar to yours. Part of my problem is that I have an assortment of knives and I like to carry something different everyday rather than keep one in the pocket for awhile. With light use none of my knives need sharpening very often and when they do it's basically just a touch up on the Sharpmaker &/or some time on the strop. Like I said, several of my knives are VG10 but I do have a lot of others as well, including some tool steels. I carry a Manbug with ZDP-189 (along with another knife) almost everyday and it sees a lot of use. It does seem to hold an edge fairly well. I've only touched it up a couple times in the 4 or 5 months that I've had it and wasn't that difficult. I have a HAP40 Stretch coming today but I'm not sure how much use it'll see. I already have a VG10 Stretch and, since I've only carried it once or twice, it's still razor sharp. So kind of hard to compare the two.

 

[harronek]

I have Delica's in VG10 , ZDP189 , Hap40 and Super Blue .
I carry a Delica everyday and have done so for quite a long time now after making a conscious decision to only buy Delica's and Delica associated products .
I work in a rural type setting and my Delica's get used for everything , they get covered in grease , dust , dirt , grit .
They cut rope , rubber , plastic , scrapes surfaces and anything else you can think of .
I don't remember the last time one of my knives cut paper or cardboard which seems to be some kind of standard to judge all others by , my working world doesn't encounter those things very often .

For this broad range of use the Hap40 steel out performs the others without any dought , no question , case closed , turn off the light on your way out .
It isn't the best at any one given criteria ( edge retention , ease of sharpening , rust resistance etc ) but it is the best compromise of all of the steels offered so far in my opinion .

You need to get that Hap40 Delica out of the cupboard and never look back


Ken

PS. - just remembered the last time I cut paper , Hap40 , push cut , one motion .

 

[MostMenAreRuthless]

Thanks for the feedback on the steels guys! It all agrees with everything I've read. MMAR thank you for allowing me to intrude on your thread. My knife use sounds very similar to yours. Part of my problem is that I have an assortment of knives and I like to carry something different everyday rather than keep one in the pocket for awhile. With light use none of my knives need sharpening very often and when they do it's basically just a touch up on the Sharpmaker &/or some time on the strop. Like I said, several of my knives are VG10 but I do have a lot of others as well, including some tool steels. I carry a Manbug with ZDP-189 (along with another knife) almost everyday and it sees a lot of use. It does seem to hold an edge fairly well. I've only touched it up a couple times in the 4 or 5 months that I've had it and wasn't that difficult. I have a HAP40 Stretch coming today but I'm not sure how much use it'll see. I already have a VG10 Stretch and, since I've only carried it once or twice, it's still razor sharp. So kind of hard to compare the two.

Thanks for the input--you are always welcome to post in the thread my friend.

I have Delica's in VG10 , ZDP189 , Hap40 and Super Blue .
I carry a Delica everyday and have done so for quite a long time now after making a conscious decision to only buy Delica's and Delica associated products .
I work in a rural type setting and my Delica's get used for everything , they get covered in grease , dust , dirt , grit .
They cut rope , rubber , plastic , scrapes surfaces and anything else you can think of .
I don't remember the last time one of my knives cut paper or cardboard which seems to be some kind of standard to judge all others by , my working world doesn't encounter those things very often .

For this broad range of use the Hap40 steel out performs the others without any dought , no question , case closed , turn off the light on your way out .
It isn't the best at any one given criteria ( edge retention , ease of sharpening , rust resistance etc ) but it is the best compromise of all of the steels offered so far in my opinion .

You need to get that Hap40 Delica out of the cupboard and never look back


Ken

PS. - just remembered the last time I cut paper , Hap40 , push cut , one motion .

I love to hear real-world uses of these Spydercos--thanks for sharing. I need to man-up and get that HAP40 Delica out! Also, sweet pic!

 

[MostMenAreRuthless]

Thoughts on the Sage 1. . .

Excellent knife! I have been carrying and using the Sage 1 for a bit over a week now and it is a wonderful blade. The CF is slightly grippy/textured, the liner lock is done absolutely right, and the ergonomics are good.

This was definitely a battle between the beloved Delica and the Sage 1--there isn't a true winner in this one and I would be hard-pressed to make a choice if I could only choose 1! This is the only knife I have put up against the Delica that has nearly knocked it out of my pocket. I think it goes back to one thing--handle material preference. I still prefer the FRN over anything else I have tried.

The size of the Sage 1 is very similar to the Delica in length, blade length, etc. However, the Sage 1 blade is taller and has more belly, the handle is a little taller and a tad thicker. It feels like it carries and handles like a slightly larger knife, although the overall footprint is almost identical.

Lastly, I feel like I prefer VG-10 over S30V. I can get a hair-popping edge on the VG-10 in a matter of a few minutes using a washboard, sandpaper, grey compound, and green compound. I am not as adept with the S30V. Also, the S30V loses its "razor" edge quickly, but retains a nice working edge for a long time so that's a good thing it has going.

Overall, I will still give the title of Pocket King to the Delica; however, the Sage 1 has definitely earned a spot in the rotation.

A few pics of the Sage 1 compared to the Delica:

 

[MostMenAreRuthless]

And a few usage pics of the Sage 1:

Who doesn't use their EDC to open the mail?


Zip ties on my Dobe's kennel:


The ubiquitous cardboard:


Cutting open a small bottle of glue:


I said ubiqitous cardboard, right?



Beautiful flowers that bloom for about 8 hours a day. They then wilt and die to make room for a whole new batch of flowers the next day!



Keep em' sharp!

 

[Gizler00]

Very nice. The sage series are some knives I really would love to test out myself.

 

[ejames13]

Interesting thoughts on the Sage. I always felt like it was kinda chunky, despite its similar size to the Delica. It's considerably thicker, which made a big difference for me.

 

[Humint]

Interesting thoughts on the Sage. I always felt like it was kinda chunky, despite its similar size to the Delica. It's considerably thicker, which made a big difference for me.

I agree. The delica is the near perfect edc knife for me. Though I have to grip it a certain way to really make it comfortable. I love the Sage series and have owned multiple Sage 1 and 2s before. I always felt though that they were just a tad too wide in the pocket, where as the Delica is not. I will most likely be picking up a Sage 5 when they are released but the one true Delica killer I think may be the PM3. If they can shrink the PM2 down to the size of a Delica (which I hope the PM3 will be) then it just may kick the Delica out of my pocket. I should note, the Delica has kicked my small Inkosi and small Sebenza out of my pocket. The size and the thumb hole just can't be rivaled.

 

[MostMenAreRuthless]

Very nice. The sage series are some knives I really would love to test out myself.

I think you will like the Sage 1.

Interesting thoughts on the Sage. I always felt like it was kinda chunky, despite its similar size to the Delica. It's considerably thicker, which made a big difference for me.

Yes, it is a bit thicker and you definitely feel it in the pocket.

I agree. The delica is the near perfect edc knife for me. Though I have to grip it a certain way to really make it comfortable. I love the Sage series and have owned multiple Sage 1 and 2s before. I always felt though that they were just a tad too wide in the pocket, where as the Delica is not. I will most likely be picking up a Sage 5 when they are released but the one true Delica killer I think may be the PM3. If they can shrink the PM2 down to the size of a Delica (which I hope the PM3 will be) then it just may kick the Delica out of my pocket. I should note, the Delica has kicked my small Inkosi and small Sebenza out of my pocket. The size and the thumb hole just can't be rivaled.

The almighty Delica! I am looking forward to the Sage 5 and the PM3 as well!

 

[Jake-n-Bake]

Just read through this entire thread and I have decided to get a delica. I have several enduras and don't carry them much due to their size, so I'm sure the delica will be much better suited. Not really sure why I never got one before.

 

[HyPnOtIk]

Gotta love the Delica! My next Soyderco will probably be the Sage, but I'm trying to hold out for the Sage 5. A sage with a compression lock? Take my money!!

 

[Onikudaki]

Just read through this entire thread and I have decided to get a delica. I have several enduras and don't carry them much due to their size, so I'm sure the delica will be much better suited. Not really sure why I never got one before.

I think you will enjoy the Delica and its size. I too moved away from the Endura, which has now been delegated to the EDC backpack.

 

[MostMenAreRuthless]

Just read through this entire thread and I have decided to get a delica. I have several enduras and don't carry them much due to their size, so I'm sure the delica will be much better suited. Not really sure why I never got one before.

Nice! The Delica love is spreading!

Gotta love the Delica! My next Soyderco will probably be the Sage, but I'm trying to hold out for the Sage 5. A sage with a compression lock? Take my money!!

I am also looking forward to the Sage 5. Until then, My SB Delica will be in my pocket.

I think you will enjoy the Delica and its size. I too moved away from the Endura, which has now been delegated to the EDC backpack.

Agreed!

 

[harronek]

Just looking for clarification ,

Is the Sage is back in the drawer where it belongs , and the Delica is back on the throne ?


Ken

 

[MostMenAreRuthless]

Just looking for clarification ,

Is the Sage is back in the drawer where it belongs , and the Delica is back on the throne ?


Ken

Ken,


The SuperBlue Delica has been in my pocket ever since I concluded my testing with the Sage 1!

The Sage 1 isn't back in the drawer though--it is on the sales block! I decided that it was too wide in the pocket for me to ever really replace the Delica with it so I am letting it go. Still a great knife, but not as great as the Delica!

 

[Skeptic13]

A Delica is always part of my carry rotation. It is a perfect size for EDC.

 

[FelineGirl]

Well, I finally broke down and got a Delica. I also own a Ladybug and a Dragonfly, plus two Byrd knives...Meadowlark2 and Cara Cara2. I tried moving the pocket clip on the Meadowlark the other day to accommodate my lefthandedness and stripped the screws like an idiot. So, at that point of irritation I decided to order a Delica. And dang, I love it! I like the Meadowlark just fine, but the Delica is awesome! I've noticed that the handle on the Delica is a bit longer and there isn't a dedicated finger choil like on the Meadowlark. Somehow I don't seem to miss it on the Delica, though. The Delica is beautiful and possibly edc perfection!




Alex

 

[MostMenAreRuthless]

A Delica is always part of my carry rotation. It is a perfect size for EDC.

Always and forever! Thanks for the pic!

Well, I finally broke down and got a Delica. I also own a Ladybug and a Dragonfly, plus two Byrd knives...Meadowlark2 and Cara Cara2. I tried moving the pocket clip on the Meadowlark the other day to accommodate my lefthandedness and stripped the screws like an idiot. So, at that point of irritation I decided to order a Delica. And dang, I love it! I like the Meadowlark just fine, but the Delica is awesome! I've noticed that the handle on the Delica is a bit longer and there isn't a dedicated finger choil like on the Meadowlark. Somehow I don't seem to miss it on the Delica, though. The Delica is beautiful and possibly edc perfection!




Alex

Alex--thanks for your post and pic! The Blue Delica was what started it all for me! Keep enjoying it.