The constant battle we all have...

O

OzarkJoe

Joined
Aug 31, 2017
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173
Which knife to get next...

I've got two knives that I have my eyes on and I can't decide on which to get first. The first one I'm eyeing is the Spyderco Delica. And the other is a Kizer Vanguard Barbosa. They're both around the same price, similar sizes and weight so they're about even in that regard. Both knives come in VG-10

The Delica is simply a classic. Sal got it right. That's why it is still around. Of course, like a lot of people, I love the look of a Spyderco.

The Barbosa isn't as classic but for the same price you get a caged bearing flipper knife with G-10 handles. It looks like a pretty decent knife for a good price. And I think it's a good looking knife too.

Of course I'd like to just buy both but I've already purchased a few knives lately so my wife's patience is wearing out. Especially now that it won't be too long before money gets tight for the holiday season.

So, let me know which one you guys would choose. Maybe you'd consider something I'm not seeing and will point me to the "right one". Thanks guys!!
 
The Delica is just plainly a better cutting tool. It's all business - the ergonomics, the materials, and the blade shape make it just excellent at nearly everything. The Barbosa would probably be more fun to open and close, but the Delica will run circles around it when it comes to actual use.

Edit: If you're open to suggestions, a sort of hybrid option (keeping elements like a utility blade shape and good ergos of the Delica but also incorporating a bearing flipper) is the Kizer Vanguard Roach.

Kizer-Vanguard-Degnan-Roach-Black-G-10-Gray-V4477A1-BHQ-34150-jr-large.jpg
 
A couple years ago I went on a edc knife hunt. Literally went from cheap Gerbers and CRKT's, to Benchmade, Spyderco, and ZT. Finally finding edc satisfaction with a Hinderer. I got enough folders to pass on to both my kids a rather comprehensive and fair set to both, as seen here.
6SWQanl.jpg


I've got an otf comming when the law in Michigan changes, after that I'm pretty content. I'd like to have one or two that age alongside me with honest use and wear.

That said, give me a week and I'll have come up with some new reason to need another knife! :)
 
Comeuppance said:
The Delica is just plainly a better cutting tool. It's all business - the ergonomics, the materials, and the blade shape make it just excellent at nearly everything. The Barbosa would probably be more fun to open and close, but the Delica will run circles around it when it comes to actual use.

Edit: If you're open to suggestions, a sort of hybrid option (keeping elements like a utility blade shape and good ergos of the Delica but also incorporating a bearing flipper) is the Kizer Vanguard Roach.
Click to expand...
I really like the Roach but my wife likes to travel so I'm wanting to keep blade length 3 inches or under. And not too heavy. But yeah, I'm always open to suggestions. I'm wanting to keep it under $75 or so. I'm also tempted by the Delica with the Wharncliffe blade. I have a Cold Steel Tuff Lite and it has a Wharncliffe blade and it slices like a lazer. I like the Tuff Like but it's a bit "clunky" for a small knife.
 
I have a couple of Kizer vanguard (Bolt, Dukes) and recently got a Delica.
The Dukes is nice, its lightweight, flips open snappy every time, its very slim in the pocket; almost a gents knife. But mine came w/ the blade grinds uneven and the steel has just a "rough" finish to it when you look close.
The Delica is just a better knife. Fit and finish is so much nicer. Even with plastic handles and back lock. (I don't like back-locks ;))
 
Delicas are great, but take into consideration how it will fit in with the rest of your knives. Might be that the Kizer fits better.
 
Just the same as I replied to a similar thread.

Waved Delica is my recommendation. I actually prefer its sabre grindnas it features a much thicker tip than the ffg. The Spyderco wave actually can be used as a bottle opener, unlike the Emerson ones.
 
I also have eyes on the Spyderco Dragonfly with G-10 handles. I had a Byrd Robin with FRN handles that I loved. I gave it to my son for his first knife. He likes it. I'd consider a Dragonfly with FRN handles but it doesn't have any steel liners in it. I'll gladly carry a little more weight for a lot more strength.

Hell, my cheap side is telling me to just get another Byrd Robin, this time with G-10 handles. I don't abuse my knives anymore and I sharpen them at least twice a week so having lower quality steel isn't really too much of an issue. In my experience, Spyderco's 8Cr13MoV steel is pretty good. Super easy to get sharp. And as long as you stay away from cardboard it holds an edge for an acceptable time.

Ugh, I could buy more knives if the wife didn't want to have "family vacations". :p
 
OzarkJoe said:
I also have eyes on the Spyderco Dragonfly with G-10 handles. I had a Byrd Robin with FRN handles that I loved. I gave it to my son for his first knife. He likes it. I'd consider a Dragonfly with FRN handles but it doesn't have any steel liners in it. I'll gladly carry a little more weight for a lot more strength.

Hell, my cheap side is telling me to just get another Byrd Robin, this time with G-10 handles. I don't abuse my knives anymore and I sharpen them at least twice a week so having lower quality steel isn't really too much of an issue. In my experience, Spyderco's 8Cr13MoV steel is pretty good. Super easy to get sharp. And as long as you stay away from cardboard it holds an edge for an acceptable time.

Ugh, I could buy more knives if the wife didn't want to have "family vacations". :p
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I can't think of a single task I'd use my dragonfly for that would require steel liners.
 
jimmyd1982 said:
I can't think of a single task I'd use my dragonfly for that would require steel liners.
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You're probably right but if I'm spending almost $100 on a knife it's gonna have liners.

Edited to add...$100 is my budget, I know the Dragonfly with FRN handles isn't that much. I should drink more coffee before I post.
 
I stayed away from the Delica for a long time, now that I have one it's a little disappointing... Time and again I grab the Delica instead of my other knives! It's like I found what works best for me, but I lost that thrill the other knives gave :)

On the Tuff lite - I have one, Delica with FFG slices better IMO.

On the Dfly2 G-10 - I have one, it is a great feeling knife (as opposed to the cheap feeling FRN) and pretty much perfect for anything office related, but it is a small knife and does not have the same ergos as the Delica.

Then again, having been and still am limited by budget, you can't go wrong with a Byrd. It will certainly do the job for you, much more than another cheaper brand. It's the collector and knife nut in me that wants to try and use higher end models.
 
I recently went through a similar ordeal. https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/sell-me-on-a-delica.1496970/ This is the thread I made on the topic, and some very inspiring Delica advice was given. The long and short of it is, (which I have also found to be true since owning one) buy the Delica. You probably don't "need" one, but neither did I. I never thought I would carry it, but I love the thing. Perfect travel blade as well. It compliments the Small Sebenza as my favorite blades in the size range.
 
The Delica is a good knife if you don't mind having a bit less cutting edge! (see pic)
If this doesn't matter to you or you actually want a bit smaller blade due to regulations, then it's a solid choice
vXkIzq3.png
 
Indoril said:
The Delica is a good knife if you don't mind having a bit less cutting edge! (see pic)
If this doesn't matter to you or you actually want a bit smaller blade due to regulations, then it's a solid choice
vXkIzq3.png
Click to expand...

Lies, damn lies, and blade/handle ratios...

The problem with that statistic is that it implies that minimization of overall length is the most important aspect of packaging a particular cutting edge into the tool... While this number is theoretically useful on an EDC tool as a measure of how easy it is to carry, it ignores several other important numbers, such as width, thickness, and weight. It also COMPLETELY ignores edge geometry, ergonomics, steel, etc., which I think are way more important. Worse yet, it ignores the fact that due to the size of the human hand (the implement used to hold the tool), a certain length of handle is needed regardless of the length of the edge. This is why I think that below a certain blade length, better knives actually have have much worse edge/length ratios (e.g., Dragonfly or Roadie, where part of the blade is intentionally used as a finger choil instead of an edge, in order to improve the grip).
 
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