Something to replace a delica UPDATED w/ purchase.

R

rushane

Joined
Dec 31, 2006
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131
I've moved my Delica to my work knife, and as it sees a lot of oil and unknown chemicals, I want it to stay at at work.

I'm looking for a new EDC, and while I'm fine just getting another Delica, I want to just try something new for the sake of something new. I have other knives, but for some reason the Delica always ends up in my pocket again. I'm honestly looking for something similar.

Here's what I have and why I rarely carry it:

- Benchmade Grip and Mini Grip - I've abused both for years on and off, but like the thinner carry of the Delica over the fatter grips. The mini would be close to perfect except for the lack of a solid four finger grip, which is likely my favorite feature of the Delica.

- Benchmade 940 - not enough height in the handle to get a good grip, nor in the blade to really slice well. Love it, just isn't for me.

- Endura - flat out too big. Love it like I do the Delica, but have owned it for years and only carried it for a few minutes before I just switched it out again.

- PM2 - love most everything. Only minor gripe is that fatter handle. Still, it's like the Endura, I go to carry it and I find myself just switching back to the Delica.

- Stretch - doesn't work for me. Feels weird in the hand. Did a "only this knife for a month" challenge with it, didn't make it.

- ZT 0566 - simply love this knife…outside of the weight. Like the grip, like how it cuts, never cared for flippers but seem to like this one. Just don't like how heavy it is to carry every day.

- I do carry a SAK Pioneer.

Hopefully knowing what I have and why it doesn't get carried can help in finding something new. If you think there's a knife that I would like, I'd be interested in trying it. Only other thing is that if like to keep the blade at 3-3.4" and the handle at a full four finger grip. Hard stop with price at $200. Tend to like the aesthetics of Benchmade and ZT. I'd prefer to branch away from Spyderco on this one, nothing personal, just want to try something different. Any suggestions appreciated.



Update post after all the suggestions:

I appreciate all the suggestions! Honestly, it was all great!

I ended up with a brand I had never heard of, which is of course what makes this forum so great. I bought an Enzo Birk 75, FFG S30V. It's...perfect for me. I've bought knives in the past that once I received, I knew it wasn't for me. Opposite experience with this Birk 75.

I was initially worried about the polished G10 and how the light glared off it in most of the photos I saw. But the reviews I read said it was much better in hand. It is. The polished G10 is of course smooth but I have no issue with slipping after using it in the rain with wet cold hands. Also no jimping. The scales, should I want to, are easily replaced. They make a green micarta for the scandi-grind version -- I'll copy a set and make my own.

Clip is deep carry and drilled only for right hand tip up which is my preference. Hate to say it for those who prefer otherwise, but I love that there aren't holes all over the knife. Again, clean and simple.

I thought the hidden pivot was odd, but so far I like the clean look. No adjustment necessary as of yet, but don't foresee a problem with this.

The build is awesome. Not a single complaint. I've heard that they're built in the same factory Spyderco uses. I can't confirm this, but wouldn't be surprised.

The blade is thicker than my Delica. While noticeable in use while slicing, it's still an awesome slicer for what I need it to do, and I like the heft of the thicker blade.

The lock up is solid without blade play anywhere. This one is easy to unlock, and I'm liking the scales on both sides as opposed to a frame lock. I understand that this is the second revision of the model and that the first had issues with some people unlocking. I don't know if anything has changed, but I don't have any issue at all unlocking.

My wife (from the Baltics) calls its styling 'classic' and that it reminds her of the knives she saw growing up. It was neat to tell her that it is in fact a classic Finnish design. Not her people, but similar cultures. Easily her favorite of the ZTs, BMs, and Spydies I own.

I think I agree with her.



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Good luck, the only thing I've found better than the delica is a benchmade mini AFCK, specifically the HSS version, long discontinued and never comes up for sale..
 
I have a couple of possibilities for you. How about a Rat 2? Blade is about the same size, and I can get four fingers on it.

Another possibility is the Kershaw Knock Out. It's quite slim in the pocket, though a half inch longer than a Delica.
 
I started typing before I finished reading your post, was gonna talk about how awesome the Mantra is. My first thought In the ZT line was the 0450, or new carbon fiber variant, but I think you might have similar issues to the 940. You might be into the 0770, definitely a slim and light carry. The 0900 is awesome, but if you're not getting a 4 finger grip on the mini-grip, you won.'the on that, either. Other than the mini-grip, I'm not familiar with Benchmade's offerings in this size class, but think they would have some contenders.
 
You can still get the ZT 0770 at a few places and it's an ounce and a half lighter than the 0566. The Cold Steel Code 4 sits between the delica and endura in length, and has pretty thin aluminum handles.
 
ZT 0770CF is a great choice. It is just about the same size as a Delica and carries the same and is "more". That is why I got it in the first place.
 
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Consider simply getting another configuration ? Look at the salt line or serrated edge. I think that'd be a bit different
 
Personally, I would buy another Delica. I might buy some G10 scales from Steve ketchum just for fun. Or, the Titanium Delica would be a great choice.
SC11TIPD.jpg


If you want to try a new design, one of the Mantras look interesting.

C202TIP3.jpg
 
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Mcusta has some nice options that may fit...I was looking for a similar type carry option and the spyderco Gayle Bradley looks tempting, zt 0450 and 0770, maybe bm Rift? It's tough I'm as I feel you have to compromise something...I ended up getting a bm940 although I do agree I would prefer it was a tad taller to fill my hand more. A dang close option is the boker kwaiken...maybe the tuxedo model?
 
+1 on the Knockout.. :D
[video=youtube;-swkJoRFBbY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-swkJoRFBbY[/video]

NeilB said:
I have a couple of possibilities for you. How about a Rat 2? Blade is about the same size, and I can get four fingers on it.

Another possibility is the Kershaw Knock Out. It's quite slim in the pocket, though a half inch longer than a Delica.
Click to expand...
 
If no Spyderco, how about a Skyline? Very thin and light, versatile blade shape. The Mantra 2 is Spyderco, but without the opening hole or its hump.
 
The ZT 0770CF sounds like it fits the bill well. It's comparable in size to the 0566 and very lightweight. I find the sheepsfoot blade works very well for me for many of my EDC uses.
ZT0770_0566_PM2_800x550.jpg


Or, if you do want to look at another Spyderco, the Caly3 is my favorite among their lineup. The Delica4 FFG was my favorite Spyderco until I tried out a Caly3.
Stretch_Delica_Caly3_800x468.jpg
 
Caly 3?

I really like the look of that new Mantra. Don't care for the flipper, lock or scale material though, lol. Too picky over here, ha.

Honestly though, there's no beating the Delica for 'DD.'
 
Have you seen the new Griptilian 551-1? (Slightly thinner) G10 scales and CPM-20CV steel; comes in at ~$180. I've never owned a Griptilian—because I hate the handles—but I may actually end up buying that one. Others have already suggested some of the more obvious recommendations, and they're all good.

For what it's worth, I was also put in the position of replacing my beloved ZDP-189 Delica. It doesn't meet your specs, so I'm sticking with the 551-1 recommendation, but I replaced mine with... a ZDP-189 Dragonfly 2.

I found that the Dragonfly 2 is simply a much better knife than the Delica for all the reasons you'd carry a Delica: it's lighter, it's a better slicer, it has better ergonomics, and the smaller size doesn't detract from its cutting capability at all—that's how much better designed it is. It also has a wire pocket clip (personal preference) and lacks the weird gap between the blade and handle when closed. (Now we're definitely in the realm of personal nits—the fact that you can't choke up on the Delica always bugged me.) The only downside, IMHO, is that it's just barely too small to open one-handed, for me at least. I can do it, but it requires considerable effort.

That's just my personal experience. Again, if you want a conventional 3-3.5" folder, I think the 551-1, one of the Sages, or a Manix 2 LW are your best bets. But if you're willing to try other options, you might at least think about the DF2.
 
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