Spydie Delica or Native?

G

GarageBoy

Joined
May 23, 2003
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Well, I'm trying to chose between the Delica, the Native in S30 and the VG10 Native. (I'll continue to learn to sharpen on the Gerber LST I still use.) Which would be better for the EDC purpose? Thanks
 
I'm not familiar with the Native, though I have a Small Sebenza in S30V. I do have a Delica in VG10 and really like it.Given the choice even up between S30V and VG10, S30V is the higher upgrade. I'm not going to say 'better' as IMO that is the users personal experience.Like many others, Iget along well with most steels.
good luck,with your choices you cant go wrong
guy
 
I own both of them. Toss a coin, both are great knives and you can't make a mistake. Personaly I carry an Endura PE FRN VG-10 just because it fits my hand better.
 
If it's important to you, the Native does have a slightly stronger point than the Delica, as the point of the Delica is rather delicate. Also, the 2 handles feel quite different from eachother's as the handle of the Native has a "finger-groove" where the handle of the Delica doesn't.
 
Last year, my mother-in-law asked me to buy a knife for her husband's birthday. As it happened, I'd narrowed it down to either the Delica or the Native. I found the Delica to be a bit on the "delicate" side. The Native felt stronger, better and with tons of grip. I ended up taking the Native.

With that being said, if the Calypso Jr. would have still been available, I would have picked it up instead, no contest! I own an older SS version and it's still my EDC. Spyderco has just produced a limited run of 1000 Calypso's in grey FRN, so you might be able to still find one. To me, the Calypso looks even better than the Delica, but is just as strong as the Native.

All in all, you can't go wrong with a Spydie!

Guy
 
Who makes the VG10 steel, alloy and how is it's performance? Thanks, I'm still trying to decide between the 3
 
Garageboy,
If you're looking for a pure slicer, get the Calypso Jr. in grey FRN (I would if I had any money) and VG10. It's full flat ground, so it will definitely outcut both the Delica and the Native. Personally, I don't like the shape and size (fat) of the Native. I like the spyder hump (like in the delica and calypso). The Native has the S30V advantage.

If it were me, I'd get the Calypso Jr, no question about it, having handled both the Delica PE VG10 (my sharpest production folder) and the Native CPM440V (a bit fat, like I said). I've learnt through time that full flat ground blades are all slice and dice. That's what I want for an EDC.

New graham has the Calypso Jr for a tad over $40, which makes it the cheapest amongst the 3 as well.

I think Vampyrewolf will definitely extol the capabilities of the Calypso Jr too.
 
One more thing, does the Native use a wire clip? I think I'll be going with the VG10 Delica, for now
 
The Native uses a regular metal clip, like the Delica. The Native III, uses the new wire clip. Pricewise, the Delica is the least expensive, at $38. The Native runs about $48 and the Native III about $41. There really is no bad choice here. I would lean toward the Native, but that's just me.
 
spyken> how'd you know I was reading this one? :D

Been beating on my c52pbk (calypso jr lt, pe) since oct 26, 01... still going, and it's on me right now(changed over from 50/50 millie yesterday).

Sharpen as low as your skill will let you(I've got about 15-20deg on the whites with the 303mf[doublestuff]). Strop it if you want a really polished edge. Then hit an 800grit stone at 25-30deg for 5-6 strokes. Then watch your fingers. :P

Love the ergos, love the price, love the size. Have a grey coming my way too.

2yrs+ of {ab}use on it has given a little bit of lockplay, but I'm gonna use it till it dies and then send it in. They don't have any stock of the black pe frn, so I'd have to either pray it can be repaired or I'll end up with a credit for msrp.

edit: as to the original question of native vs delica, go by hand size.
With my long fingers, the native fits better(more to wrap around) but the choil tries to lock on when I flip it closed(both native frn and native 3). I use a frn/se endura(98 model, ats-55, no dent) all day every day. It's in left/front 24/7. Used a 98 delica for 3yrs before giving it as a gift and a year+ later that same knife is still solid. I hear stories of endura/delica models making 8-10yrs of use. Haven't heard that many about the native.
 
Until I walked into a local knife shop. I took one look and BOUGHT it. I am familiar with the Delica as my buddy has one, but the Native just said "BUY ME."

I don't regret it at all.

I haven't yet seen another knife that I would trade it for. It is VG-10 and holds a hair popping edge that is easy to restore with just simple crock sticks. I cut hose, rope, string, cardboard, salami and once even my finger.

The blade is STURDY. And the grip is very natural.

Heck, I didn't even go home and order it at a discount off the web. I was talking to the knife guy at the store and he showed it to me after I told him what I was looking for and paid RETAIL as a thank you.

I will NEVER carry a different knife than the Native.


:)
 
The Native is my fav Med spydie.
New Graham sold out?Not surprized when I ordered mine friday that said they only had 3 left.
This may be a hard one to find,I really thought that they would be all over ebay by now but I have not seen the first one.
 
Garageboy, if you're getting the Native, consider the S30V version.

I've not used spyderco blades in S30V before, but have used their VG10 quite a bit. I had trouble reprofiling it, but yes, it takes a fantastic edge. I've heard from others that the S30V is easier to sharpen (and reprofile), and better in the edgeholding dept. I edc a S30V buck mayo and find the edge holding not noticeable different from my (then) VG10 endura. But it is easier to sharpen, that's true.

However, the S30V Native II is more expensive than the VG10 Native III.
 
I would really suggest handling these knives before you buy, if possible. They are all great quality, but they each feel very differently in the hand. Many people love the Native, but no version of that knife has ever felt comfortable in my hand.
 
Vampyrewolf:
you dont get to make any comments on ease of sharpening, as you could get a hammer shaving sharp :p

Garageboy:
ive been using a delica for a pretty long time. it is a lot stronger than it looks. i used to throw it and get it to stick, and it held up fine. its been dropped, sharpened wrong, all kinds of things, and it still works great. dont let the difference between vg-10 and S30v influence you, both are great steels.
 
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