Spyderco Delica 4 vs Polestar vs PM3

[JDX]

i know they are all at different price points. But generally, as quality of materials and fit and finish go up, so does the cost. It's either easier to sharpen but you have to do it more often or it takes longer to sharpen and you do it less often. So there's always pros and cons.

But price and materials aside, which would you rather use as your edc?

This is just for discussion / debate.

The kind of aspects I'm hoping for everyone to talk about are ergos, blade shape, lock mech. Not edge retention or factors that directly deal with material quality.


I hope this makes sense. please no arguing, or bashing others for their 20$ or $500 knife. Speculation only!

 

[GermanyChris]

Polestar because the PM3 handle will be too small for me since the PM2 just barely works and the Delica is too thin.

 

[LastRodeo]

I like the compression lock over liner lock and prefer the Para3 over the frn handled delica.

 

[Skywalker31]

Delica. Much, much rather have a 2.5 mm thick blade on a 3" knife. FRN and backlocks are simple but it's also an oz lighter than the Para3.

Spyderco lists the Para3 as being 3.8 mm/0.145"... even with the distal taper that's just way more than I want for 2 5/8" of cutting edge.

Not as familiar with the Polestar but with a 3.3" blade it's more in the Tenacious/Manix2 category in my mind anyway. Up into the 3.5", 4" range thicker blade stock and more robust/stiffer handle construction make more sense to me.

But for 3" and below keep 'em lightweight, thin, and slicey.

 

[mugwump867]

I've been swapping between a Delica and a PM3 for the past few weeks and for my needs the Delica is the winner. Both blades are top-notch but I prefer the thinner handle on the Delica and the compression lock on the PM3 tends to pinch my palm when opening the knife.

 

[Seneca18]

i know they are all at different price points. But generally, as quality of materials and fit and finish go up, so does the cost. It's either easier to sharpen but you have to do it more often or it takes longer to sharpen and you do it less often. So there's always pros and cons.

But price and materials aside, which would you rather use as your edc?

This is just for discussion / debate.

The kind of aspects I'm hoping for everyone to talk about are ergos, blade shape, lock mech. Not edge retention or factors that directly deal with material quality.


I hope this makes sense. please no arguing, or bashing others for their 20$ or $500 knife. Speculation only!

Which do you prefer? So much of this comes down to personal preference, I prefer the Delica out of these but without comparing materials it is very hard to say that one is better than the other because ergos, blade shape and lock type are very subjective.

 

[Vinifera]

Which one? Don't own the Polestar but I like the Delica, Para 3 and also the Sage 5. Delica is light and easy to carry with a thin blade but the Sage 5 is close. Para 3 is a thicker blade but still with a full flat grind with the excellent compression lock like the Sage 5. They are all excellent knives and one can't go wrong with any one or all of them.

 

[Sergeua]

Id go to a knife store and check them out.

If you can't I'd get pm3. It's easier to obtain a delica later on, this way you won't be thinking of pm3 later.

 

[JDX]

I was mainly looking for a discussion, not a recommendation but thanks

 

[JDX]

It's not about my preference, it's about yours. I'm asking for others opinions and how they feel about the knives. I'm not looking for a recommendation just trying to create a discussion.

For instance. Blade material only effects the knife in the long run. But all these knives fresh out the box have sharp edges and will cut the same thing you want cut. I'm asking which of these will be more useful for cutting something. Like how do the blade shape and ergos play into how easy it will be to cut or slice something

 

[Vinifera]

I agree with Seneca18 and Sergeua in that it comes down to personal preference. What I prefer and why may not suit you. Good luck.

 

[Hackenslash]

I'm interested to hear thoughts on the Polestar. That knife has been on my radar as a possible cheap beater or a gift knife, but I'd really like feedback from anyone who's used it vs. the Tenacious and the Delica in particular.

 

[Fanglekai]

It's not about my preference, it's about yours. I'm asking for others opinions and how they feel about the knives. I'm not looking for a recommendation just trying to create a discussion.

For instance. Blade material only effects the knife in the long run. But all these knives fresh out the box have sharp edges and will cut the same thing you want cut. I'm asking which of these will be more useful for cutting something. Like how do the blade shape and ergos play into how easy it will be to cut or slice something

Depends on the material being cut.

 

[Jammer Six]

I don't like any of them. They all have dead-flat scales, which seems to be all the rage these days. Don't feel right in my hand. I like rounded scales, that are somewhat thicker. I suspect it's an evil plot by The Enemy, to simplify construction and lower production costs.

 

[Aquaholicc]

I find it funny how everyone loves the Delica ..personally it just feels like a cheap knife to me ONLY because of the FRN scales..they just rub me the wrong way man..
So my vote is for the para3 solely because I'm in love with my PM2..

 

[vanslem6]

 

[a Trexler Ranger]

^
Spyderco and a Dodge minivan? That's pretty much me!

 

[sharkattacksw]

I find it funny how everyone loves the Delica ..personally it just feels like a cheap knife to me ONLY because of the FRN scales..they just rub me the wrong way man..
So my vote is for the para3 solely because I'm in love with my PM2..

I feel the same. The Delica feels like a cheap knife to me, regardless of the praise it gets. It has a plastic feel, which I don't care for.

 

[353]

I find it funny how everyone loves the Delica ..personally it just feels like a cheap knife to me ONLY because of the FRN scales..they just rub me the wrong way man..
So my vote is for the para3 solely because I'm in love with my PM2..

I feel the same. The Delica feels like a cheap knife to me, regardless of the praise it gets. It has a plastic feel, which I don't care for.

Custom G10 scales, problem solved. I don't care for the bidirectional pattern as well, at least on knives with pocketclips. They are pocketshredders.

 

[JDX]

I'm really liking all these answers! I mean personally, I like the Delica 4 it's just too light for my taste, I also know it's perfect for edc but I just feel I can't really abuse it or it will fail. The polestar was interesting to me because of the micarta scales. I loved my pm2 but felt the ergos left something to be desired. However the Manix 2 in G10 fit my hands like a GLOVE. It was beautiful. Unfortunately money was tight so I had to let it go.