Something to replace a delica UPDATED w/ purchase.

The Native 5 is a great knife and you have option on what type of handle you want .
 
If you decide you want to stick with Spyderco and keep the same general size, look at the Centofante 3. It's one of my favorites and (I think) it costs a little less than the Delica.

If you want something different with the same blade length and would like a Benchmade (and you're willing to spend about $140) look at the Sequel and the Mini Axis Stryker models. Both models are about the same size as the Mini Griptilian but they are thinner and don't have the fat Griptilian grip panels--the Sequel's aluminum, the Stryker is G10. I carry one of these knives just about every day.

(A note on the short grip of the Mini Grip. It's not so much the length of the handle on that knife that prevents a good grip, it's the design. The area close to the pivot pushes the hand to the rear of the handle due to the pronounced bulge. Both the Sequel and Mini Stryker have this bulging area but it's less pronounced and you can move your hand forward for a full grip, even putting your index finger on top of the bulge. I have large hands and I can get a full grip on both the Sequel and Mini Stryker whereas I can't handle the Mini Griptilan well at all.)
 
Seeing as you want to branch out from Spyderco...which is totally cool...lots of great stuff out there, and I own twice as many Spydies as others brands...:D

How about some aftermarket scales for your Mini Grip?....such a good blade...lots of choices out there to mitigate your issues. And, it'd be one of a kind when you're done.

+1 for the Skyline. I feel its the best Kershaw knife available all things considered.

The RAT II did not fit my L/XL hands very well, but that's totally subjective. (I would like to try a RAT I and see if 'the original size' works better for me.)

Cold Steel is quite the polarizing brand...but I'll still throw out an older AUS8a American Lawman with a little bit of tweaking (coating removal, internals clean up and clip mod/removal...I typically avoid knives that aren't 'right' from the factory, but I purchased one about 50% of the way thru the aforementioned and it's been a joy to finish. ) The new American Lawman is much refined, but DLC only and still with clip issues IIRC. Or, a Ultimate Hunter. I was going to also say a Tuff Light/Mini Tuff Lite but you specified a size preference.

Best of luck to you! Lets us know what you decide. :D
 
Al Mar Ultralight Falcon.

Half the weight of the delica. I like the Talon blade myself.
 
Zero Tolerance 0450cf

All the things you love about the ZT design, in a weight and handle thickness right on par w/ the Delica (with nearly 1/2" more blade at 3.25"; blade spine slightly thicker then Delica, slightly thinner then pm2)...
 
I was hoping for a few ideas, you guys delivered. At this point, I've narrowed it down to:

- ZT 0450/cf
- ZT 0770cf
- As much as I wanted to try a different brand, I hadn't seen the Mantra 2. That looks great.
- while checking out the BM suggestions (the axis/strykers didn't really do it for me) I was reminded of the upcoming 698. It looks like a recurve blade though, so that may be a deal breaker.

Likely the mantra 2 or 0450cf. Not a fan of black blades, but I like it better than the 0450. Maybe I can find someone who wants a black blade for their 0450 and do a blade swap.

Thanks all, you showed me a few knives I hadn't even considered, I'm sure one of which will be it.
 
I owned a ZT 0450 for a while and currently own a Mantra 2. At the time the 0450 was my first ZT and I was pleased with the fit and finish but very disappointed with the blade grind.

The blade was evenly ground but very thick behind the edge, it was a terrible slicer. I sent the knife off to Josh at REK for a sharpening job and although it was perfectly sharp it still wasn't a good slicer.

Spyderco are ground thinner and the Mantra 2 will out slice the 0450. The M4 steel is a much better performer than S35vn but it is not stainless. The 0450 does have a much snappier action the the Mantra though.

Personally, I much pefer my Mantra
 
Also you may want to take a look at the Kizer Gemini. I've read very good things about that knife.
 
Don't laugh, but a Byrd Cara Cara FRN ($18.00) has been my EDC for the last year. I tried a Benchmade 940, Onterio Rat 1 and 2, Onterio Utilitac, and a few Kershaws when I decided it was time to replace my Benchmade AFCK after 20 years of daily carry. The Byrd came out on top. It allows me to carry tip down and I prefur an opening hole to a stud.
 
I forgot one. In the 3.5" range, the HK Axis is a bargain at around a hundred bucks. Also a Mini version is available. The only nitpicks you will have is that it comes with a black blade and it might be a bit larger than you want. Even so, it's pretty much bulletproof and smooth as any regular Axis model. Did I mention it's only around $100?
 
Another vote for the Mantra 1. It feels like an upgrade of the Delica, here's how it compares to the Delica and PM2. Same handle size as Delica, a bit longer blade length than the PM2.
pH8spWJ.jpg
 
Keep reading about M4 and its tendency towards corrosion. I live on the coast so maybe this knife isn't a good idea. The 0450 not being a great slicer gives me pause. I was really liking both as a bit of a folding "bird and trout" knife, but neither is ideal. Maybe that ZT0770 or wait for the BM698.
 
MaximIsayev said:
Another vote for the Mantra 1. It feels like an upgrade of the Delica, here's how it compares to the Delica and PM2. Same handle size as Delica, a bit longer blade length than the PM2.
pH8spWJ.jpg
Click to expand...

Nice knife

Slick no traction handles.
 
fq55 said:
Also you may want to take a look at the Kizer Gemini. I've read very good things about that knife.
Click to expand...

I have one from an early run, and it's truly amazing. I finally had to put it back in its original box and shove it in the back of a drawer to keep it out of my EDC rotation so I could get some use out of other knives.

This said, there's been talk of QC issues with recent runs, and since you can't send it back...
 
I just picked up a Gemini on the exchange. I think its from the second batch so we'll see if it has any issues. Kizer seems to be trying to build up a CS presence here in the states so I hope they will be able to handle any issues in the future.
 
rushane said:
Keep reading about M4 and its tendency towards corrosion. I live on the coast so maybe this knife isn't a good idea. The 0450 not being a great slicer gives me pause. I was really liking both as a bit of a folding "bird and trout" knife, but neither is ideal. Maybe that ZT0770 or wait for the BM698.
Click to expand...

I live on the coast too and work and play outside lots - no issue with the M4 unless you don't use it. A used knife blade is a clean knife blade - in my experience. My Mantra 2 is showing no signs of wear or corrosion and I don't expect that it ever will.

In fact I just ran mine through a load of wash this week and it came out clean :D. Wipe down the blade - a light coat of oil on the blade and pivot and back to work.
 
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