Sway me: Spyderco Delica vs. Buck Vantage Pro

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smerdy

Joined
Nov 21, 2012
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Hi there, I'm new on this forum but I've been interested in knives/knifemaking for awhile... Just haven't had the money and time for them.

I need my first real EDC after having a cheap black winchester tactical folder I bought at Boy Scout camp 6 years ago. I didn't like the half-serrations and the blade steel is a mediocre 440... After finding that these two are extremely popular on many forums, I'm just not sure which to select.

I like the Delica because it's lightweight, compact, grippy, and functional in design (spydie hole). At first thought, it was kind of ugly (don't mean to offend anyone), but seeing so many hardcore Spyderco fans makes me reconsider.
I like the Vantage Pro because its blade is more than 3 inches (I was looking for a larger blade), it's a flipper (I was originally looking for a flipper), and it's a bargain price for s30v. But the grip is slippery.
Both seem solidly built.
I like the Emerson opener on the Delica, which I would have to use a ghetto ziptie mod to accomplish for the Vantage.

I want to make custom scales from wood, and the Vantage provides better excuse to do that.

Which holds a razor edge longer? S30V or VG-10?

Those are my thoughts thus far.

SWAY ME!!! Thanks.
 
I'd take the Delica. Buck seems to have problems with quality control on the Vantage line: I've heard many complaints of off center blades that rub the liner, extremely late lockup from the factory, blades becoming chipped from hitting one of the back spacer bushings when closed, etc. YMMV, but I've hardly ever heard quality complaints on the Delica.
 
That's a good point... but assuming that both knives are in ideal conditions?
I've heard that one can send the knife back to Buck with their lifetime warranty for a replacement.
 
I had a "perfect" Vantage pro, nice knife but the Delica is a step above IMHO. The Delica is my ultimate edc and Spyderco's VG10 does not take a back seat to Buck's quality S30V.
 
Both good knives, both good warranties, both good steel, both a good choice for EDC. Buck exudes "Old school" and Spyderco is just plain 'ol good 99.9% of the time. Which one will work best for you we surely don't know. If you really want a flipper and a 3" blade then the Buck fills the bill but if you want a slicer from hell and a super-lightweight, time proven knife then the Delica is a sure bet. How do you feel about a backlock vs a liner lock? How do you feel about the significant weight difference?
 
I've got a Delica4 FFG and a small Vantage Pro. I like the Delica more. It's slimmer and lighter and is almost unnoticeable in the pocket. The ergonomics are also great (well shaped handle, grippy FRN texture, large thumb ramp for more controlled cutting). The Vantage isn't bad either. It has a high hollow grind, which makes an excellent slicer. The S30V steel will retain an edge a little better than the VG-10 on the Delica. The deep carry clip on the Vantage is better for discrete carry. The contoured G10 scales combined with solid steel liners gives the knife a decent amount of heft for its size, if you prefer that feel.
 
I've never had a backlock, and am used to liner lock.
I do like heft, but I'm not sure that "takes a back seat" to the thumb ramp and functionality of the Delica. I've heard the Vantage has a more substantial feel in the hand but not sure about how that is compared to the Delica.
Apparently people EDC their Delicas more than their Vantages? So the extra blade length is not all that likable in EDC tasks?

Thanks for the info so far guys. The direct comparisons are really helpful.
 
Close call. I like aspects of both. Delica is light, very thin and a great slicing knife. Vantage has a great deep carry pocket clip. Both have good steel. But I have to agree with the reports of bad blade centering issues for the vantage. If you are willing to accept the fact that you may have to have Buck correct the problem, then I would go for the vantage. I also like the made in USA aspect of the buck. Insist they make it right if there is an issue and thank them when they correct the problem.
 
Buy both and rotate them. I don't know about quality control issues, but my Vantage Pro is perfect. It's has the most solid feel of any of my flippers. And with S30V steel, it actually has a higher performance blade than the Delica. On the other hand, the Delica FFG blade is just about the perfect shape for an EDC, and using the spyder hole to flip the blade open on a Delica is MOST satisfying. I'd pick one, buy it and then start collecting the funds for the other. Get both, THEN start customizing.
 
I went through the same dilemma recently
Instead of buying both like I often do, I bought 3 delicate 4s
I have not regretted it and carry all three in rotation
 
I went threw the samething about a year ago. I ended up buying them both, I still own the Buck. Nothing wrong with the Spyderco I just thought the Vantage offered more. I think the Bucks handle is more comfortable and the blade steel in my eyes is far and away better on the Buck. While there is nothing wrong with Spydercos VG-10 I think the Paul Bos HT S30V on the Vantage is more than one class higher. I do think the Sypderco would slice slightly better due to being FFG but the hollow grind on the Buck is still a very good slicer.
 
Not even in the same ballpark from my personal point of view! Though I must confess I did not try Pro: only regular Vantage and did not like it enough to spend money on s30v version. So Delica for me!
 
I have both and I like both. If you can go vantage pro, I get that one. I love the delica to, but to me it feels more like a backup knife. Just my opinion. Really you aren't gonna go wrong either way.
 
As much as I like Buck, when it comes to more modern knives I tend to overlook them. The Vantage line is fine as far as I'm concerned, but I dunno for some reason the Vantage line doesn't agree with me aesthetically. I'm not hating on Buck, with that being said the Paul Bos S30V is probably the best S30V you can get your hands on. For the money the Vantages offer a stellar value, but I feel Spyderco has better F&F as well as quality control when it comes to making these more modern knives. I'm also quite partial to the FFG blade as well as the general blade profile of the Delica compared to the Vantage. I'd say try both if possible or take your time with your comparisons.
 
If you want a larger blade get an Endura for close to the same money....

There is a reason the Delica or Endura finds it's way into so many peoples top EDC choices.

For a value EDC there is nothing that comes close IMHO.

The VG10 is excellent for a medium use EDC, and is easy for just about anyone to sharpen. The S30v might hold an edge longer, but it takes longer to sharpen so it is a toss up.

On paper the Buck has alot to offer, but in use the Spyderco's can't be beat!
 
I had a vantage and have a Delica. Personally I would go with the Delica. I traded my vantage due to quality issues, and it was just to darn heavy for me.
 
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