The Incredible Delica 4

TAH

TAH

Joined
Jul 3, 2001
Messages
6,138
New blade and handle design, steel liners, 4-way clip, etc....The more I use and handle the Delica 4, I just don't see any room for future improvements.

Has it reached.....perfection? :eek:
 
Couldn't agree more my friend. However, I prefer its big brother, Endura 4. However, the great thing about knives: to each his own!!!
 
It is close. The nipples on the spacer are too small. The length of the kick could be reduced. The space for the first two fingers could be larger. The hole could more resemble the comet. Having said all of that, there is no other knife in that size that I would rather carry. The handle and the hole can be modified by the user. Yes, I said the hole can be modified.
 
The only thing that I modified on my D4 was the clip. I removed the black finish and it now has a brushed, satin finish that matches the blade. IMO, it looks better and I don't have to worry about paint chipping. :thumbup:
 
Do you guys think the steel liners were really needed? Good idea with the pocket clip. That's how I did mine. Spyders are great knives. Good Holidays to all.
Lycosa
 
Lycosa said:
Do you guys think the steel liners were really needed? Good idea with the pocket clip. That's how I did mine. Spyders are great knives. Good Holidays to all.
Lycosa
Click to expand...

I like liners. I don't care about an extra half ounce of weight, but I do like rigid handles and slightly overbuilt knives. I think that the liners took a very good knife and made it better by making it somewhat more rigid and giving the screws in the scales and clip a firm anchor point.
 
I love the d4 as well, but I just picked up a Caly3. Let me tell you, these knives are in two totally differnt classes.
 
I just ordered my D4 ZDP PE, so I can tell you in a week or so if I think it's perfect:)
TAH - What method did you use to get the paint off of the clip?
Shawn
 
i love it as well. the only thing i may add is a higher grind, maybe full flat. however, the delica is supposed to be rugged, thus a thinner edge may not suit the mission. it's plenty sharp as is.

i do want an orange one.
 
mrappraisit said:
TAH - What method did you use to get the paint off of the clip?
Shawn
Click to expand...

Using a Torx T6 screwdriver, I took the clip off the knife and simply hand sanded it with a "Fine" sanding pad, not paper. It was just the right amount of grit to remove the paint and satin finish the clip at the same time. It was very easy to do and took under 20 minutes. I did both sides and the edge of the clip.

Also, some people don't like the looks of all the screws in the D4. By refinishing the clip, the three silver clip screws blend in better and are more subtle in appearance.
 
Why did it need steel liners? Half an ounce is a pretty big percentage increase in weight. I am not saying it didn't need steel liners. Did the previous model have a problem that this fixes?
 
TAH Thanks for that. When my new D4 gets here I may do the same to my clip, the black clip does stand out way than silver would.:)
Shawn
 
Thanx much for the kind words on the model. Glad you enjoy the improvements.

There were a number of reasons to go with a steel liner:

1. Fastening the clip screws to the steel liner allowed a 4 way clip.
2. The skeletonized liners permit a more rigid handle.
3. Stronger anchor points for pivots and clip screws.
4. Being skeletonized, added very little weight.
5. Necessary for a screw constructon model.

sal
 
:D
Grey Mullet said:
Why did it need steel liners? Half an ounce is a pretty big percentage increase in weight. I am not saying it didn't need steel liners. Did the previous model have a problem that this fixes?
Click to expand...

No, no... Spydercos don't have "problems". They have "areas of opportunity for the next model" :D.

It's just a personal preference. I don't like flex in a knife handle. I could flex the side of the D3 handle in a tight grip. I can do that with my unaltered Native as well. Just don't like it.

And I don't know that the liners actually weigh a half ounce... that's just an "evangelist's estimate" of the crowd size :rolleyes:. But whatever they weigh... I don't care. Rather have them than not.

The real reasons for having them (other than to satisfy me) are the ones Sal mentioned in the post above.
 
D4 is close to perfect for me. The knife is a great size for my EDC needs and the ergos are nearly perfect for me. I also think the D4/E4 clip is the finest clip around, and I'm left handed so I appreciate the clip mounting options.

I wouldn't mind a higher/thinner grind, but no real complaints.

Thanks for the awesome design, Sal.
 
A Delica was my first "real" knife about 15 years ago, and about a dozen knives later, the D4 is my most carried piece. I sometimes wish it didn't do everything so well so I could "upgrade" to a Caly3 or Para or something similar. (Who am I kidding, I'm probably buyin' those ones anyway.) For now, I carry the D4 to the office or when I'm home in sweat pants and the Endura 4 when I'm wearing jeans or just feel like having a little louder click when I open 'er up.
BTW, is it pronounced DEL-i-ca or De-LI-ca?
 
What puts the Caly in such a different class? I've seen people rave about these and then I look them up and they cost so much more. Sorry if this is OT
 
I like the liners because they allow for the new clip layout, which I also like. The barrel bolt design was nice, but on my D3 it was starting to stress the FRN around it and would come loose quickly. I gave it to a friend who carrys FLP, and the same thing is happening on the other side.
 
I like the steel liners as well. Gives the knife a more solid feel and sound. :thumbup:

brianL said:
BTW, is it pronounced DEL-i-ca or De-LI-ca?
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure it is pronounced Del-i-ca, as in Delicate. Which makes no sense because it's not delicate at all.
 
I have never played with a Delica before. As I have smalish hands, would I be able to get a full 4 finger grip with the Delica? My Native is pretty much perfect.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top