Tenacious vs. Delica for EDC?

D

do335

Joined
Jan 20, 2009
Messages
7
Hi,

I have the choice of receiving either of these knives for a father's day gift, and I really don't know which to go with. The knife would generally see light cutting tasks, although the occasional tougher chore may come along. This will be my EDC for my military activities.

Is there enough of a difference in regards to edge retention between the two steels that is noticeable? I don't have the option of handling either locally, so I don't know how easy one handed operation of either is. How is the G10 of the Tenacious compare to the handles of the stock Delica?

Thanks for your help!
 
My $0.02.
I have both a Tenacious and the Delica 4 in plain edge. The Tenacious is an awesome knife for the price. The only minor weak point in my humble opinion is the 8CR13MOV blade steel. I just prefer the VG 10 on the Delica. This is a subjective call.
 
I'd have to say delica. I like FRN more than G-10. It's made in Japan, and it uses VG-10. It also has a compression lock. I do like the Tenacious's blade shape though.
 
Delica. Superior steel, superior lock, Japanese made (as opposed to chinese). An overall tougher knife for EDC. I wish they would make the flat grind standard, though; that's one aspect where the Tenacious is better than the Delica.

Masteroffajitas said:
I'd have to say delica. I like FRN more than G-10. It's made in Japan, and it uses VG-10. It also has a compression lock.
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Backlock*
 
I have to dissgree, I found my Tenacious to be a much better companion in my military duties than any of my Delicas. The blade IMHO does much more work, it is a much easier knife to use with gloves and when your cold, and if you dick it up or loose it, its cheap to replace.
 
Im gonna have to suggest, also, the Delica- i'v had one in my pocket every day for almost two years and i have yet to fond a good reason to replace it.
 
Delica Pros

1. It's not made in China.
2. It's not a liner lock.
3. It has better steel

Tenacious Pros

1. Full flat grind blade.
2. G10 handles
3. Cheap to replace.

I would bet the Tenacious with the full flat grind would out cut the Delica all day. I absolutely HATE the thick short flat saber grind on the Delica 4. I absolutely hate stuff made in China too.

I say don't get either. ;)

Choose a Centofante III or something else.
 
Tenacious, because:

- better blade geometry
- fits my hands better (small to medium-sized hands, my fingers feel too constrained with the Delica)
- grippier, "warmer" feeling and texture to the G-10
- better placed and beveled Spyderhole
- and it costs less

Both are fine knives at their price point, but I really like the Tenacious. Try and find a dealer in your area that has both in stock. What works for anonymous people on the internet may not necessarily work for you.
 
Interesting post. I have been thinking about the Tenacious myself. It looks like it compares favourably with the Delica.
 
I think they are both excellent knives. I pick the Delica because I don't like liner locks, but if someone gave me a Tenacious, I wouldn't throw it in the trash. They are well made.
 
If the Endura is not too big, that would be my choice.

If forced to choose between the Delica and Tenacious, I'd take the Tenacious. There will be plenty of times where you'll appreciate the longer blade.

For not much more than a Delica, you could get the Tenacious in PE AND SE. Then you'd have your bases well covered.
 
How about a Paramilitary? :D About twice as much as the delica though.... :(

In a Delica/Tenacious choice I'd take the Tenacious. Just better blade geometry.

Now between an Endura and the Tenacious... I just might pick the Endura.
 
wow, tough choice, two of my favorite blades are my D4W and my SE tenacious....

hmmmm..edge retention is much better on the vg10, but if you can sharpen the tenacious takes a new razor edge fairly easily. the Flag grind is great, g10 or frn, either is good.

the delica is much smaller in the pocket. The one thing to consider with the tenacious is the open design, if you are going to use it in military use, and outside in the muck and mud and whatever else, it will be MUCH easier to clean.

Also it's MUCH easier to take apart and put back together, i did it first time in under 5 minutes.

Either one is a winner of a knife to be honest with you.
 
David Lowry said:
..
I would bet the Tenacious with the full flat grind would out cut the Delica all day. I absolutely HATE the thick short flat saber grind on the Delica 4...
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I guess it depends on how you are cutting and what you are cutting. If I were you, I would not take the bet, David. I have Delicas and a Tenacious. You would not believe how well the Delica performs in some "martial type" cutting tests we have done in Albo Kali Silat.

To the OP--

Delica all the way. The Tenacious pretty much sits in its box in my gun safe. I carry a waved Delica quite a bit. The Tenacious is inexpensive, but, to me, if looks and feels inexpensive--not in the same class with a Delica. The Tenacious is not a bad knife, but, for me, it just does not have the same tactile responsiveness and "quallity" that is exhibited by the Delica. I guess it is something like looking at a BMW M3 and a Mustang GT---the BMW feels like a higher quality and more "tactile" piece of work---but they both go fast:D

If possible, look at both knives, handle them, and then get what you prefer. If this is not possible, I would go with the Delica--there is a reason that it has been a staple of the Spyderco lineup for years. It really is that good.
 
KaliGman said:
I guess it depends on how you are cutting and what you are cutting. If I were you, I would not take the bet, David. I have Delicas and a Tenacious. You would not believe how well the Delica performs in some "martial type" cutting tests we have done in Albo Kali Silat...
Click to expand...

Well if you want to look at only martial type cutting tests then I would also bet a Stanley utility knife does pretty darn good too.

The Delica has a nice sharp edge but I will never understand why they had to make the grind so short on it. If I am cutting string, or opening mail or whatever it doesn't matter.

However, slicing a tomato, cutting a rubber hose (like a radiator hose or a 1/2" thick braided rubber air hose) the Delica cuts worse than the Tenacious.

I am not at all kicking on martial arts but I don't do it and I don't carry or buy my knives for it. So for what I do, the Tenacious outcuts the D4. However, after I spend $45 to have my ZDP-189 D4 reground by Tom Krein it will do what I want it to do......be a knife and not a screwdriver. :)
 
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