The recent story with my Delica, first funny, than sad.

Sergiusz Mitin

Sergiusz Mitin

Joined
Nov 25, 1999
Messages
1,499
If you remember well I have numerous times said that SPYDERCO Delica is my very first choice travel knife. It is very light and slim, practically intangible in my pocket. It provides a lot of cutting power, quite enough for daily cutting tasks. Also it is very comfortable and secure to handle and operate, I didn’t try this out but I believe it would serve me as defensive tool as well if required. More advantages – it is legal almost everywhere and at the same time it looks pretty modestly not causing a desire to take it from you meeting some kind of officious police or custom officer.

Visiting recently EUROSATORY Trade Show in Paris (land ad air defense) I naturally took my faithful Delica with myself. This is strictly secured exhibition and entering I should go through metal detectors, however I have entered with Delica in my rear pocket without any problem first and second day of exhibition. As well as I entered with the same knife MILIPOL Trade Show in Paris, INTERPOLITEX one in Moscow, Military Salon in Kelce (Poland) and more trade shows and other places with metal detectors at the entrance in different countries. I have done no tricks to obtain this result, simply the mass of the metal parts in this lightweight knife is smaller than metal detectors in such situations are usually set up to alarm.

Only third day security guys have searched me with hand operated metal detector (I guess randomly) and discovered my Delica. They took it from me promising to give it back than I’ll exit. OK, exiting I really got my knife back.

Here the funny part of my story ends and the sad one begins. God or devil or It’s Majesty Bad Luck caused me to lose my Delica next day. Leaving the hotel in the morning I have clipped it in its usual place in my rear pocket but returning in the evening I didn’t found it there. I have only one reliable explanation how I could lose it. Having pretty heavy bag with photo equipment hanging on my shoulder and changing the shoulder I have carried it sometimes I should grabbed the clip’s lower end with the seam of the bag and picking the bag up I have pulled the knife out of my pocket. Probably I was too absorbed or tired (or all in one) to spot it this moment. But later, naturally, was too late, there were a thousands and thousands of people walking there. Who should know it is my knife even founding it and wanting to return to rightful owner?
It was scary sharp and I honestly wish the founder to know how to operate it safely.

I have came back only a couple of hours ago and first I have tried to do the simulation with some my other knives. Yes, the described situation is probable because the upper inside seam of my photo bag stays exactly on the height of the lower end of clip if the knife is clipped in rear pocket.

Well, it was my inattention and my guilt. Delica is not high-end custom knife, it is not too expensive and easily replaceable (one advantage more for regular travel knife).
So why I’m so sad losing it?
 
Even if it's not "high end", you're sad because you cherished it. You love that knife... just like losing anything that you lvoed.
I couldn't imagine losing any of my knife ... :(
 
To me its not what the knife cost,but what I've done with it.I have an Schrade lb7 that was about my only knife for years,went to the Yukon with me gutted countless deer etc.I lost it for a few days once since then its been retired:) out of fear.

I also lost my first Delica a few years back,an old thin plastic clip one that I miss to this day.

We can always buy a new knife,but you can never replace an old favorite.
 
Any ideas how to make the clip more resistant against such occasions?

Yes, Friends, you are quite right. The sadness losing the knife is by far not adequate to its cost. This is something like to lose old friend you could rely on...
 
Sergiuz,

I too am sorry to hear about the loss of your old and faithful companion. It sure is big-hearted of you to think about the Delica's "next owner" with concern for their safety.

Best wishes, Jeff/1911.
 
Sometimes it is pretty surprising how low is knife sharpness level what general people expect and consider as normal. On the way back to Poland another funny story occurred in the buss (I have had plenty of funny stories at this trip). The lady who sat near me eating her supper took out surprisingly big (at least 4” main blade) old-styled folding hunter with multiple blades and main one equipped with back lock. Be careful – she said – if you do want to use it, it is terribly sharp. Looking how she “saws” her baguette I suspected it is not sharp at all and probably I couldn’t cut myself even wanting. I said nothing, just have drawn from my photo bag my reserve little SAK. Lady was surprised a lot looking how it goes through her baguette with light push cuts, without any slicing.

So no wonder that I wish my Delica’s new owner to know how to use it safely.
 
Yeah, I know how you feel. I lost my Delica in a cab in Chicago hurrying to a doctor's appointment a few months back. I have other knives, but it is funny how you like your favorite pen, or knife, etc. Oh well, just have to buy another spyderco. Decisions, decisions.
 
Sergiuz,

I agree with you. The "average" person doesn't know what sharp means at all, in my experience.

Jeff/1911.
 
Lost my fav knife on a fishing trip last year :( took my jeep in for a recall on the airbag about 9 months later, get jeep back a day later with a small plastic bag laying on the seat = mechanics found the knife under the carpet :) have no idea how it ended up there but was glad for the recall and getting the knife back and honest mechanics.
 
I know how you feel. My first Spydie was a beautiful left handed Police model I bought in 1991 at the Los Angeles County Fair. God, I loved that knife! I had it in a backpack in the back seat of my car, and some low life decided to break in to my car and relieve me of my possessions. That was about 7 years ago, and I still miss that knife. If anyone knows of a nice lefty Police sitting around somewhere, I would be eternally grateful.
Oh boy, would I like to take that lefty Police and perform a quick vascectomy on the **** that broke into my car!!!:mad:
 
My horse stole my delica once :D I was adjusting her halter, and she sort of lowered her head down and pushed her neck up against me. The long mane caught the clip as she lifted her head back up and pulled the knife right out of my pocket. I didn't even know what happened until I saw it hanging in her mane as she walked out to the pasture. Luckily, she had been outside all morning and didn't feel like running off when I went to catch her and get my knife back:)
 
"Lost" my EDC Wegner a while back- the lining of my leather coat had a small hole in it (no doubt rubbed by the clip & the pressure created while carrying my briefcase w/ shoulder strap)- I looked for my knife- gone- I figured that a nimble-fingered thief had snagged it on the "E" train uptown. I was upset about losing the knife & angry w/ myself for letting my guard down. Found it "clipped" to the hole in my coat.:D
 
Possible "fixes" to help aid in retention:
1) bend the clip slightly so that it is both tighter, and more of it actually contacts the material it is clipped to
2) modify the clip- I'm not sure if spyderco still has the clips where, after the big "dip" in the clip, the metal is bent back parallel with the handle slab (on the non-screw end), but if they do, you might want to ease that transition, or simply file it off (à-la benchmade) so that there is no "hook" after the "dip". I find that helps the clip catch less. That was somewhat wordy, I hope it makes sense.
3)add friction tape either on the handle slap under the clip, or to the inside of the clip itself. this doesn't need to be the sandpaper skateboard type stuff, even hockey tape or the rubber friction tape will work without being overly abrasive. Generally you do this OR bending the clip, but you may need both, depending on preference and clothing type
4)belt sheaths are very secure;)
5)change the carry position. I loose all but the biggest folders out of my back pocket, but rairly loose things from my front.
6)"indexing"- every time I stand up to leave a spot, I quickly slap my front two and back two pockets and think "knife, knife, wallet, keys" (FR/FL, BR/BL) and maybe "pen" if I have one on my. I do the same if I bump into things. Helps me keep track of everything, and once you get used to it, it takes only a fraction of a second, and can be done with little motion

Hope these help someone, I lost a few Endura's before I had a "system". Oh, and if you are forsed to sleep in a public space, either put that knife deeper in your pocket, or clip it to a shirt/IWB. i had one nicked off me while asleep :mad: Live and learn:rolleyes: :)

edited to try to fix my poor spelling, though I'm sure I missed a few more:(
 
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