Skyline vs Delica 4

L

LilLaz

Joined
Mar 11, 2012
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Hopefully I will be able to get them both, but I might only have the cash for one right now. Which one is superior over the other quality wise. Also I'm going to need a sharpener. What do you guys recommend? Thinking about buying everything from Amazon, but not sure yet.
 
Lol what a great dilemma to have, choosing between two of the best knives under $60. Quality-wise, they are honestly both top notch, and there's a reason both are recommended so often. Both are lightweight, easy to carry, take a great edge, and are backed by fantastic companies. The skyline is much more conventionally attractive, and is a great "tactical gentleman's" folder. IMHO, the delica will be stronger because of the back lock, that is in Spyderco's heavy duty range, i.e. tested at over 100 inch-lbs at the lock per inch of blade length. That, plus the VG10 steel, causes me to carry the delica more often. Plus, I like the spyderhole over the flipper, the ergos are better for my hands, the handle is high-traction yet won't shred your pockets, and the multiple handle colors available make it even sweeter. I'm a huge delica fan, I had one in my pocket when I got married and when my son was born, and I'll probably be buried with one. The skyline is a good knife, nay, a great knife, but the Delica, especially the FFG version, is fantastic knife. That's my vote, though you really can't go wrong.

Edit: for the sharpener, if you want something easy, the Sharpmaker is tops IMHO, but it's somewhat pricey. A regulr Norton coarse/fine stone is cheaper, and will help develop your skills, but it is more work.
 
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I like the Delica 4 better, I like the blade profile better, more belly, color options are nice. I'd check out cutleryshoppe.com, use nutnfancy code for free shipping. I've ordered with them half a dozen times now, very satisfied.
 
Delica 4 FFG is a heck of a slicer, and a high value knife with it's VG10 blade. It probably is one of the best 3" knives out there
 
Huge Delica fan, but I love my Skylines too. The Delica slightly edges out my Skyline, but the Skylines are very close & more fun to open.
 
mlanghornes said:
Lol what a great dilemma to have, choosing between two of the best knives under $60. Quality-wise, they are honestly both top notch, and there's a reason both are recommended so often. Both are lightweight, easy to carry, take a great edge, and are backed by fantastic companies. The skyline is much more conventionally attractive, and is a great "tactical gentleman's" folder. IMHO, the delica will be stronger because of the back lock, that is in Spyderco's heavy duty range, i.e. tested at over 100 inch-lbs at the lock per inch of blade length. That, plus the VG10 steel, causes me to carry the delica more often. Plus, I like the spyderhole over the flipper, the ergos are better for my hands, the handle is high-traction yet won't shred your pockets, and the multiple handle colors available make it even sweeter. I'm a huge delica fan, I had one in my pocket when I got married and when my son was born, and I'll probably be buried with one. The skyline is a good knife, nay, a great knife, but the Delica, especially the FFG version, is fantastic knife. That's my vote, though you really can't go wrong.

Edit: for the sharpener, if you want something easy, the Sharpmaker is tops IMHO, but it's somewhat pricey. A regulr Norton coarse/fine stone is cheaper, and will help develop your skills, but it is more work.
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Thanks for the reply. I am probably going to go with the Delica. Sorry to ask, but I am new to knives (This will be my first "real" knife). If you could please link me to the Norton course/fine stone I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!
 
LilLaz said:
Hopefully I will be able to get them both, but I might only have the cash for one right now. Which one is superior over the other quality wise. Also I'm going to need a sharpener. What do you guys recommend? Thinking about buying everything from Amazon, but not sure yet.
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sounds like you're tight on a budget, i would recommend getting the skyline. also take a look at the buck vantage (either select or avid)

as for a sharpener, if you want a system, the lansky 3 stone basic kit (LKC03) is around $20.
 
For EDC I gotta say I prefer the Skyline to the Delica, although I know most here on bladeforums would disagree with that. They're both great knives, but I prefer the slightly more compact Skyline plus G10 or FRN handles. The Delica has the advantage in terms of cutting though.
 
Does the back lock have a advantages or disadvantages versus the Skyline's or say Persistence's liner lock?
 
i have both , but see myself carrying the delica more , as for a sharpening system ,i know this is out of your price range , but try and save up some more money and invest in an edge pro
 
My recommendation would depend on your overall budget for both the knife and the sharpener. Basically, you want the sharpmaker...period. definitely get the sharpmaker first and then choose the knife you can afford. The skyline and the d4 are close enough in build quality and general usefulness that in my opinion, the decision as to which sharpener becomes the far more important question. If you can afford it, the delica ffg and the sharpmaker would be the ideal combo, I give the delica the slight edge over the skyline simply for the grind and superior blade steel. If you can't afford the delica after buying the sharpmaker the skyline will far from disappoint. You're in for quite a treat with either one as a first "real knife".
 
LilLaz said:
A link to that sharpener please.
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here is a link to the company's site for the 3 stone basic kit: http://lansky.com/index.php/products/std-3-stone-system/

here is a link to the company's site for the 5 stone deluxe kit: http://lansky.com/index.php/products/dlx-5-stone-system/

here is a link to how it works: http://lansky.com/index.php/how-to-sharpen/

you can find the 3 stone basic kit for around $20, the 5 stone deluxe kit will run about $30.


also take a look at the buck vantage select, a great knife for the money (about $20)

BU340BKS.jpg
 
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jimnolimit said:
here is a link to the company's site for the 3 stone basic kit: http://lansky.com/index.php/products/std-3-stone-system/

here is a link to the company's site for the 5 stone deluxe kit: http://lansky.com/index.php/products/dlx-5-stone-system/

here is a link to how it works: http://lansky.com/index.php/how-to-sharpen/

you can find the 3 stone basic kit for around $20, the 5 stone deluxe kit will run about $30.


also take a look at the buck vantage select, a great knife for the money (about $20)

BU340BKS.jpg
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Is the buck a better choice then the Skyline because if I can't get the Delica I'll probably go with the Skyline. Is the metal used in the buck better than the Skyline's?
 
LilLaz said:
Is the buck a better choice then the Skyline because if I can't get the Delica I'll probably go with the Skyline. Is the metal used in the buck better than the Skyline's?
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what steel is used is only a piece of the performance puzzle. i have both owned and recommended to several co-workers/friends the buck vantage select, it really is a very good knife for the money. if you want a step up in steel, buck makes the vantage avid which is a little more expensive (small= about $25, large = about $30).

what it comes down to is this: a properly sharpened good knife will out perform a "better" knife that's dull. i would focus on the sharpening aspect first and the knife steel second. all three knives (vantage, skyline or delica) will serve you well, just make sure you can get them sharp and maintain that sharpness.
 
I'd say the Skyline feels like a much better value, but the D4 FFG is more practical. The Skyline is well-made, faster, seems more compact, and has a better warranty. It's steel is fairly good and the grind is thin enough to slice well. The D4 has better ergos, better steel, and better slicing ability. But it's also slow and plasticky feeling. I'm sure you'll be satisfied with either one, but the D4 is more of an acquired taste that you develop after seeing how well it performs IMO.
 
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