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Sway me: Spyderco Delica vs. Buck Vantage Pro
- Thread starter smerdy
- Start date
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2006
- Messages
- 44,418
I have both. I carry both. I consider them very different knives.
Delica - Carries nice and slim, but not deep. Slices like a banshee. The VG10 takes a fine edge. Mine locks up solid with no blade play. As with most Spyderco products, the fit and finish are top notch. But the handle is thin and if I am expecting extended cutting, I look elsewhere. Also, I can bend the handle a bit if I am using a lot of pressure. I consider the blade very pointy. I'm not really a fan of that.
Vantage Pro - Carries deep, but it's considerably thicker in your pocket. Locks up like a vault. The S30V will keep cutting longer than VG10. I don't find the handle slippery in the least and find it very comfortable for extended cutting duties. No hot spots. Built like a tank with thick G10 and steel liners. But, doesn't have the fit and finish of the Delica. Mine does not open well with just the flipper. It will outcut blades made of fancier alloys because the blade geometry is so outstanding. The shape is just perfect for me. The blade on mine is not centered. Makes me no never mind because it does not affect the function of the knife.
Bottom line. I like both. I carry both. But not for the same purposes.
If fit and finish or thin pocket carry is your thing: Delica. It is a nice knife and mine finds pocket time.
If good solid user for extended cutting jobs and will cut for a long time between sharpenings is what you want, Vantage Pro.
I carry my Vantage Pro more often than the Delica.
Edited to Add:
Having re-read the OP, I will add that VG10 will hold a fine edge longer than S30V, even though S30V will keep cutting longer.
Delica - Carries nice and slim, but not deep. Slices like a banshee. The VG10 takes a fine edge. Mine locks up solid with no blade play. As with most Spyderco products, the fit and finish are top notch. But the handle is thin and if I am expecting extended cutting, I look elsewhere. Also, I can bend the handle a bit if I am using a lot of pressure. I consider the blade very pointy. I'm not really a fan of that.
Vantage Pro - Carries deep, but it's considerably thicker in your pocket. Locks up like a vault. The S30V will keep cutting longer than VG10. I don't find the handle slippery in the least and find it very comfortable for extended cutting duties. No hot spots. Built like a tank with thick G10 and steel liners. But, doesn't have the fit and finish of the Delica. Mine does not open well with just the flipper. It will outcut blades made of fancier alloys because the blade geometry is so outstanding. The shape is just perfect for me. The blade on mine is not centered. Makes me no never mind because it does not affect the function of the knife.
Bottom line. I like both. I carry both. But not for the same purposes.
If fit and finish or thin pocket carry is your thing: Delica. It is a nice knife and mine finds pocket time.
If good solid user for extended cutting jobs and will cut for a long time between sharpenings is what you want, Vantage Pro.
I carry my Vantage Pro more often than the Delica.
Edited to Add:
Having re-read the OP, I will add that VG10 will hold a fine edge longer than S30V, even though S30V will keep cutting longer.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2006
- Messages
- 4,090
I have both and the Delica gets the nod from me. I have a bias against liner locks, although I do realize its probably not terribly rational. The blade geometry of the Buck is very nice, but the flipper isn't quite big enough to be a good flipper and the blade hole isn't quite big enough to be a proper Spyderhole.
Both hold an edge well enough for any of my needs, although I must say I'm one of the minority that prefers VG-10 to S30V. If I were choosing one for primarily field dressing game the Buck's blade shape would tilt me toward it, but for EDC I prefer the Delica.
Both hold an edge well enough for any of my needs, although I must say I'm one of the minority that prefers VG-10 to S30V. If I were choosing one for primarily field dressing game the Buck's blade shape would tilt me toward it, but for EDC I prefer the Delica.
I have a Delica 4 FFG that I recently took apart to replace the scales with CF/Micarta. I was very impressed with the liners and overall internal construction. They look to be stamped stainless but they are near perfect in construction. All bolts have one flat side to avoid spinning when tightening. Back-lock hardware and cutout is very nice with crisp sharp edges.
I have the Vantage Force Pro and the Delica FFG. Really tough choice. I honesly don't carry either very much. THe Buck was a disapointment. I think it's way over priced for what you get. It doesn't flick open, when closed, the blade wobbles all over, and when you try to open it single handed, the blade rubs the liner - what a let down! I looked through about 20 boxes until I found one that actually had a decent lock up. Most were obscenely late. I will say that the blade seems pretty sturdy when locked up, and the handle is with out a doubt one of the most comfortable I've used. If you are cutting for a while, or into strong material, this knife is definitely one to reach for. As oithers have said, the low rider clip is great, but the knife is definitely heavy.
THe Delica is just that, "delica". While it's a nice light, ergonomic carry, and a great light duty slicer, when it comes to heavier cutting, I think the placement of the thumb behind the Spydie hole is about as comfortable as a five mile hike in a pair of boots that are a half size too small. It just doesn't work. I know, blasphemy, but there you go. For me, the great thing about the Delica is that I paid $40 for it, so it normally resides in the junk tray in my truck, and I use it for everything and never really worry about it getting all banged up.
For self defense, I wouldn't choose either one. I just don't trust them. Better to take a PM2, a BM710, or a BM941 which I carry a lot.
THe Delica is just that, "delica". While it's a nice light, ergonomic carry, and a great light duty slicer, when it comes to heavier cutting, I think the placement of the thumb behind the Spydie hole is about as comfortable as a five mile hike in a pair of boots that are a half size too small. It just doesn't work. I know, blasphemy, but there you go. For me, the great thing about the Delica is that I paid $40 for it, so it normally resides in the junk tray in my truck, and I use it for everything and never really worry about it getting all banged up.
For self defense, I wouldn't choose either one. I just don't trust them. Better to take a PM2, a BM710, or a BM941 which I carry a lot.
Buck vantage pro, s30v.
I haven't owned a delica so I can't compare the two but I can compare it to a benchmade s30v knife I had, the Alias 2.
Paul bos HTed S30v on my Buck Vantage pro beat the Benchmade S30v of my alias 2.
Stayed sharper longer (nearly 50 feet before the buck got down to the alias' dullness), and didn't chip like the benchmade. Both were sharpened to a 20 degree angle on each side.
It is also pretty comfortable for general usage but for things like wood whittling, it will hurt your hands eventually. (Most folders will to be truthful).
It is clunkier, but it also will handle harder work, much better than the delica. The G10 on the buck is also grippy but gentle on the skin.
The issues with the blades hitting the liner were more of a manufacturing issue and Buck acknowledge and fixed the issue in manufacturing.
I haven't owned a delica so I can't compare the two but I can compare it to a benchmade s30v knife I had, the Alias 2.
Paul bos HTed S30v on my Buck Vantage pro beat the Benchmade S30v of my alias 2.
Stayed sharper longer (nearly 50 feet before the buck got down to the alias' dullness), and didn't chip like the benchmade. Both were sharpened to a 20 degree angle on each side.
It is also pretty comfortable for general usage but for things like wood whittling, it will hurt your hands eventually. (Most folders will to be truthful).
It is clunkier, but it also will handle harder work, much better than the delica. The G10 on the buck is also grippy but gentle on the skin.
The issues with the blades hitting the liner were more of a manufacturing issue and Buck acknowledge and fixed the issue in manufacturing.
- Joined
- May 27, 2012
- Messages
- 58
my vantage pro
+1 to everything here.
I'll add that the vantage pro to me was a 90% finished knife at a great value. The handle needed lots of reshaping to get rid of some sharp edges and uncover the flipper a little more. Now that mine is nice and dehorned, it's extremely comfortable. It's not slippery because the handle's shape. you don't need all kinds of texture and jimping if the handle is designed correctly(says the guy who routinely carries a contego these days). If you like "wave" features, many people have used the zip-tie wave method on it or ground through the thumb hole towards the front to cut a wave. The vantage pro conceals extremely well and I'll second the poster who said it regularly kicks bigger knives out of my pocket/waistband. I've handled a TON of them that rolled through basspro(hobby-job) and only experienced a few with alignment issues or late lockup. If you're at a store that sells them, you can always ask to see a couple and pick the one you're the most happy with.
I carried a delica and a centofante for a while a few years back. I was very happy with the performance on both, but they just felt flimsy to me when I used them agressively. It was harder to operate them one-handed too. the vantage pro can be operated one-handed quite easily. the flipper is functional if you dig the tip of your pointer-finger into the back a little more than with other flippers. It also makes for a nice choil to keep the blade from closing on your hand by accident when closing it one-handed.
Wow, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for all your input! You people all really know your preferences well... I really love this forum.
Even with all that, though, it's been nearly a month and I eyed knives back and forth online. Sometimes I wanted a different knife to fill my own niche, other than a delica or a vantage, other times I would check out all the popular Spyderco knives, and sometimes I went over to Kershaw.
In all, I seriously considered:
Spyderco Delica, Buck Vantage Pro, Spyderco Tenacious, Spyderco Stretch, Spyderco Centofante III, CRKT Ripple, Benchmade Mini-Griptilian, Kershaw Oso Sweet, and the Kershaw Blur.
For my first EDC, the Delica will be my choice. I think I'll come to grow on the Spydie hole (which I originally thought was ugly, but I'm a function over form guy). There are better slicers out there, such as the Vantage, Tenacious, and Stretch, but VG-10 holds high esteem in my eyes and the Stretch stretched my price range... I value ease of sharpening, since I'm just a newbie. I didn't want to go with cheaper steels for my first EDC because I'd be more likely to shell out money on more knives sooner xDDD. Assisted opening caught my fancy for awhile as a concept, but after handling a few friends' AO blades (kershaws), simplicity is robust and will last me awhile.
Gentlemans' knives (especially the flipper type, which I set out for at first) like the Ripple, Oso Sweet, and Kershaw Chill really entice me but since I set out for a durable all around knife for both around-house and camping use, I'd want a more functional, durable design.
So, I'll go with the classic. Spyderco Delica, for the win.
I have a habit of customizing my weapons of choice, including a thumbhole stock I made for my Crosman 760 at one point. So I'll probably cook up nice custom scales for the Delica, like the beautiful Cocobolo ones I've been seeing around forums. (customizability for me was also a huge factor) I'll keep y'all posted.
Thanks again guys.
Even with all that, though, it's been nearly a month and I eyed knives back and forth online. Sometimes I wanted a different knife to fill my own niche, other than a delica or a vantage, other times I would check out all the popular Spyderco knives, and sometimes I went over to Kershaw.
In all, I seriously considered:
Spyderco Delica, Buck Vantage Pro, Spyderco Tenacious, Spyderco Stretch, Spyderco Centofante III, CRKT Ripple, Benchmade Mini-Griptilian, Kershaw Oso Sweet, and the Kershaw Blur.
For my first EDC, the Delica will be my choice. I think I'll come to grow on the Spydie hole (which I originally thought was ugly, but I'm a function over form guy). There are better slicers out there, such as the Vantage, Tenacious, and Stretch, but VG-10 holds high esteem in my eyes and the Stretch stretched my price range... I value ease of sharpening, since I'm just a newbie. I didn't want to go with cheaper steels for my first EDC because I'd be more likely to shell out money on more knives sooner xDDD. Assisted opening caught my fancy for awhile as a concept, but after handling a few friends' AO blades (kershaws), simplicity is robust and will last me awhile.
Gentlemans' knives (especially the flipper type, which I set out for at first) like the Ripple, Oso Sweet, and Kershaw Chill really entice me but since I set out for a durable all around knife for both around-house and camping use, I'd want a more functional, durable design.
So, I'll go with the classic. Spyderco Delica, for the win.
I have a habit of customizing my weapons of choice, including a thumbhole stock I made for my Crosman 760 at one point. So I'll probably cook up nice custom scales for the Delica, like the beautiful Cocobolo ones I've been seeing around forums. (customizability for me was also a huge factor) I'll keep y'all posted.
Thanks again guys.