Need some help...Delica Vs. Native

T

TFin04

Joined
Aug 21, 2005
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So here's the deal:

I've got a NIB *Other Company* Griptilian for trade here on BF. I've been offered a NIB Delica 4 as well as a NIB S30V Native.

I don't own any S30V knives, so I would like to have one. However, the Delica just seems more user friendly as far as handle and blade ergonomics. The main thing I'm worried about is how thick the Native will be.

Given the choice, which knife would you rather have and why?

Thanks!
 
I have both the Native and the Delicas [3 and 4] I prefer the Delica, looks better to me, I like the blade hole position better, thinner handle profile. Vg-10 is good stuff, easy to sharpen and seems to hold an edge. The Delica appears amicable due to the blade shape. I like the Delica.
 
VG10 is good, yes. But from what I've seen/experienced myself, most people like the S30V better.

Thanks for the input, anybody else have an opinion on this?
 
Handle is hit or miss on the Native, the blade profile does not cut as well as the Delica in my experience, and S30V is a finnicky steel that is hard to sharpen once it gets dull and doesn't get as sharp as VG10 does.

Natives are nice, but the Delica is one of those perfected designs that has stood the test of time with flying colors, and is just a damned good user for just about anybody. It's one of my favorite designs for a small working pocket knife.

Delicas.jpg
 
I would keep the Griptilian and get whichever Spyderco you initially fancy. Neither of these knives are expensive and, both make excellent pocket knives. You need some diversity in your knives and the Grip is a fine knife too. In some ways I think its one of the best deals on the market - all things considered.

Verdict: Keep the Grip, buy either Spyderco. Or, buy both - you can't go wrong.
 
I had the Native and traded it for a Delica for easier opening. I'd personally take the VG-10 for ease of sharpening. My Delica is also the fully serrated one and I like it that way.
:)
 
rnhood said:
I would keep the Griptilian and get whichever Spyderco you initially fancy. Neither of these knives are expensive and, both make excellent pocket knives. You need some diversity in your knives and the Grip is a fine knife too. In some ways I think its one of the best deals on the market - all things considered.

Verdict: Keep the Grip, buy either Spyderco. Or, buy both - you can't go wrong.
Click to expand...

I don't use the Grip. I'd rather just trade it for a different knife to try than shell out more money for something else.

I think I've decided on the Delica, thanks guys.
 
Tfino4, this is to wild, I wsa coming in here right now to ask "Delica or Native" myself!

OK folks, help both of us choose!
 
Natives are nice in that you can choke up on the blade because of the choil.

My personal favorite though is the Delica.
 
You can't go wrong with either one, but the Delica is a great carry knife. Don't get caught up in the S30V is better tha VG-10 hype. For the everyman user, the VG-10 is not noticeably any less of a steel and is much easier to sharpen. The S30V on my knives tends to be chippy and requires more sharpening. Go with the Delica and you won't be disappointed.
 
Pretty crazy, but yesterday I too was looking at the Delica and Native! I decided on the Delica because it's available with fully serrated and it seems like the Native's available only part-serrated. But otherwise it would have been a pretty tricky decision. (I've always had an Endura to carry, but I want something now that attracts fewer stares when I take it out in public.)
 
I have two Delicas4 (SS SE, blue ZDP) and Wal-Mart Native. I like all these knives.
It takes longer time to sharpen Native than VG10 Delica, but with Native I have much better grip (I am using choil), it is much more comfortable in my hand and it cuts all right.
I had BM Grip for a few months and carried it sometimes on weekends until I bought Adventura. I sold it two weeks ago. It was fun to play with, but it never cut as good as Spydercos.
 
I definitely prefer the ergonomics of the Native, but yes, the Delica is a smaller profile knife in general (which is almost always a necessary ergonomics compromise) and I believe the 4 has steel liners (whereas the Native does not). I think this will come down to your like/dislike of a finger choil.
 
The Delica was my first Spyderco - I carried an integral clip FRN G2 Delica for about 8 years before I began including anything else into my EDC rotation. However, for the last few months, I've been carrying a Native, and I really like it. Mine locks up solid, fits my hand well, and holds an edge. I recently sharpened it for the first time (other than minor touch-ups), and the S30V was easier to work with than I expected/feared. About the only thing I dislike about the Native is how the Spyderhole is partially covered by the handle when it is closed.

The Delica has always been more popular, and has received more updates - screw construction, liners, exotic steels - than the Native. I carry both (sometimes simultaneously), but the PE Native has been my regular EDC for some time now.
 
The Delica 4 and BM Mini-Grip are probably my most used folders. I typically carry both, and they get used about the same amount. I have the Native III, it was nice, but too much handle for EDC for me. I bought the S30V Native when I was a Wally World in 'Vegas, and actually prefer it from a handling point over the Native III. Native III is nice on hard cuts, though:) Delica 4 (as well as the Delica 3) has been my preference, though. Just seemed to cover off more things for what I do. I have the BM 556 Mini-Grip (PE/drop point), and between the D4 and Mini-Grip - it would be a pretty tough call if I had to choose between them - they are both well designed, and work REALLY well:D (Editd to add) - Well, it wouldn't be that tough - I own 4 Delica 4's and a Delica 3 and only two Mini-Grips....

- gord
 
While this comparison of the Delica and the Native has us talking about the pros and cons of a finger-friendly choil, what do you think about the Byrd Meadowlark, with its Delica-like general shape but the Native-like choil?
 
Overall I liked the Native better, mainly for ergonomics, choil and the compact size. The D4 has many advantadges such as steel liners, larger opening hole that's fully exposed and the FRN pattern is worlds better.
 
Vivi said:
Overall I liked the Native better, mainly for ergonomics, choil and the compact size. The D4 has many advantadges such as steel liners, larger opening hole that's fully exposed and the FRN pattern is worlds better.
Click to expand...

Does the thumb ramp on the Native help at all - or is it really a problem getting the blade open? (BTW I'm not referring to the Native III - I'm referring to the other Native, which I don't know the name of.)
 
gordonk said:
The Delica 4 and BM Mini-Grip are probably my most used folders. I typically carry both, and they get used about the same amount. I have the Native III, it was nice, but too much handle for EDC for me. I bought the S30V Native when I was a Wally World in 'Vegas, and actually prefer it from a handling point over the Native III. Native III is nice on hard cuts, though:) Delica 4 (as well as the Delica 3) has been my preference, though. Just seemed to cover off more things for what I do. I have the BM 556 Mini-Grip (PE/drop point), and between the D4 and Mini-Grip - it would be a pretty tough call if I had to choose between them - they are both well designed, and work REALLY well:D (Editd to add) - Well, it wouldn't be that tough - I own 4 Delica 4's and a Delica 3 and only two Mini-Grips....

- gord
Click to expand...
Using my BM556 this week at work has reminded me why I prefer the Delica over the BM. The cutting edge does not go all the way to the tang so I tend to snag anything I cut such as cardboard and plastic sheeting.:mad:
 
rifon2 said:
Does the thumb ramp on the Native help at all - or is it really a problem getting the blade open? (BTW I'm not referring to the Native III - I'm referring to the other Native, which I don't know the name of.)
Click to expand...

I had no difficulty with it after getting a feel for the knife, the thumb ramp (Cutout in the handle? Don't know if that's what you're referring to) does a fine job. Delica just excels over the Native with how easy it is to open, but neither present a big problem.
 
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