Thinking Spyderco Delica 4, user opinions wanted

thejamppa

thejamppa

Joined
Aug 20, 2009
Messages
2,907
Hi all!

I am big fan of Kershaw ( I have seven Kershaw's knives and counting since #8 is in mail and #9 ordered ) but I want to try something new. Kershaw Sandvik steel is very good in my experience but I want to try something else.

So, something for EDC, relatively light with blade steel better than your average kershaw Sandvik steel is. Seems like answer is Spderco Delica 4 with plain edge and FRN handles.

2,6 oz weight and VG-10 steel ( I really like this steel ever I got my Kershaw Lahar )

Delica 4 seems good edc carry knife. But I would like to know from people who have used spyderco delica's their opinion about Delica's, especially Delica 4, what they like it or dislike about it and how it has performed in their use.

Delica is more expensive than Kershaw knives I've bought so far or have thought to get, so I think this over bit more carefully than I do with cheaper knives. (since I have already two Kershaw's comming to me in next 3 weeks: Mini Cyclone and Rainbow Groove, which are not ideal for urban EDC but more intended for back up blade in forrest)
 
The Delica4 is an excellent knife for the price. I do prefer the Delica3 (good luck finding one) due to the handle shape but admittedly the 4 has better steel and a few other new touches. The biggest drawback in my opinion is the lack of any usable type of choil, putting the cutting edge a little further from your grip than something like a Caly3, Sage, Dragonfly, etc.
On the plus side I feel the blade on the Delica is going to be sturdier than the models with full flat grinds, making it an excellent utility blade in a light thin package.
I highly recommend the Delica to anyone without one.
 
The Delica4 is a wonderful knife for EDC. It is light, strong, thin in pocket, tough and durable, and available in excellent steels. I have one in VG-10 and one in ZDP-189, and love them both. With the molded FRN handles, they are a lot of knife for the money.
 
FRN Delica is an excellent knife and it will serve you well. It's a great way to experience the higher quality Spyderco offerings and serves as a good reference point. If you feel like spending some extra $, look at the G-10 FFG Delica. It's a bit of a sticker shock :eek: but it offers a superior blade grind and handle scales. I just wish it wasn't so expensive or I would be all over it.
 
hoopster said:
The Delica4 is an excellent knife for the price. I do prefer the Delica3 (good luck finding one) due to the handle shape but admittedly the 4 has better steel and a few other new touches. The biggest drawback in my opinion is the lack of any usable type of choil, putting the cutting edge a little further from your grip than something like a Caly3, Sage, Dragonfly, etc.
On the plus side I feel the blade on the Delica is going to be sturdier than the models with full flat grinds, making it an excellent utility blade in a light thin package.
I highly recommend the Delica to anyone without one.
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You can always get the Salt 1 and you would get the same Delica 3 design with the H-1 blade.
 
I have the Delica 4 but the waved version. It gets a lot of pocket time cause
it's very thin and light but at the same time tough enough to do most of my
cutting tasks. It's one that I would not consider selling or trading in. Definitely
a keeper and an EDC staple.
 
There's little used Delica 3 available but its full spyder edge. I've never liked such edges as I haven't found any use for fully serrated blades, especially when they are pain in ass to sharpen. And full spyder edge in urban edc... Doesn't sound too smart. But it would be 2/3 of the Delica 4's cost.

If it would have been combo edge or plain edge I would have jumped on that immediately. But thanks everyone so far. Keep 'em comming.
 
I don't think you are going to find many people who've used a D4 who don't like it.

I guess I'm a bit of a Luddite in that I was wary of the skeletonized steel liners and the changes in handle shape compared to the Delica 3. However, the Delica 4 quickly grew on me. I love the BI-directional textured grip and the handle shape is very comfortable. For edc use I actually prefer the FRN over G10 and while the saber ground blade isn't as good a slicer as the FFG blade of the Caly 3 or Sage it is very robust and the slightly rounded tip compared to earlier models is stronger too without giving up piercing ability.

I have a number of Spydercos that are great edc knives in addtion to the D4 such as the Caly 3, Native, Salt 1, Delica 3, Centofante 3, and my latest acquisition the Superlative Sage 2 and out of all of those great knives the Delica 4 is still my most frequent edc knife. It's thin, solid, smooth, rugged, and I don't worry about using it hard.

If you've never had a Spyderco before I think the Delica 4 is a great introduction to a great brand.
 
thejamppa said:
There's little used Delica 3 available but its full spyder edge. I've never liked such edges as I haven't found any use for fully serrated blades, especially when they are pain in ass to sharpen. And full spyder edge in urban edc... Doesn't sound too smart. But it would be 2/3 of the Delica 4's cost.

If it would have been combo edge or plain edge I would have jumped on that immediately. But thanks everyone so far. Keep 'em comming.
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I wouldn't recommend saving a few dollars to get a knife you don't really want. Serrations have their place but don't get it just to save a little money,jmo.
 
I will go for Delica 4, if there's any left when I get my pay check sometimes next week. If I have bad luck I probably need to order Delica 4 from shop, then its not VG-10 blade but ZDP-189 and since I want light FRN handles and not heavy stainless steel ones at worst case I'd need to pay 42% more than I am planning... Anyway, Wish me luck!
 
cgmblade said:
I wouldn't recommend saving a few dollars to get a knife you don't really want. Serrations have their place but don't get it just to save a little money,jmo.
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Serrated knives lose a lot of negatives if you have the right sharpening gear (Sharpmaker).

I'm very pleased with my D4. I'd also recommend you consider the Salt 1, or if you want a better steel, something a bit higher up (zdp, etc.) but that might also be harder to sharpen.

You can't go wrong.
 
I can't offer any advice on the vagaries of international shipping, but you should be able to find a seller who will actually ship you the knife you want. Good luck and let us know how you like it.
 
chipped said:
Serrated knives lose a lot of negatives if you have the right sharpening gear (Sharpmaker).

I'm very pleased with my D4. I'd also recommend you consider the Salt 1, or if you want a better steel, something a bit higher up (zdp, etc.) but that might also be harder to sharpen.

You can't go wrong.
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ZDP-189 is definately a choice but I heard its less corrosion resistant than VG-10. And since I literally live stone throw away from Baltic Sea corrosion resitance is very important.

One good news is that I found another native store that carries Endura 4 FRN's cheaper price than the shop I mentioned earlier. So yeah, I am so gonna get Delica 4 FRN... Maybe Endura 4 later as they carry that too.
 
Get a D4. you wont regret it. Careful though, you'll find yourself buying more Spydercos soon... (my spydies actually replaced my Kershaws)
 
dsmegst said:
You can always get the Salt 1 and you would get the same Delica 3 design with the H-1 blade.
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Yeah, I actually thought about trying to swap blades and then sell off the H-1 blade with Delica 4 handle. Not sure if they would interchange though.
 
Jake Bauer said:
Get a D4. you wont regret it. Careful though, you'll find yourself buying more Spydercos soon... (my spydies actually replaced my Kershaws)
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Yeah, if that happends, then it happends for a reason. Kershaw's are not bad and I won't give up from Junkyard Dog II Composite or Rainbow Groove. But if Delica 4 replaces my Needs Work, Zing and Skyline, then it happends for a reason. Somehow I got the feeling Delica 4 might the knife...
 
I am all for the Delica 4!
I LOVE it and it kicked my Kershaw Leek and Kershaw Ener-g out of my pocket ever since I got it. I don't have any experience with previous Delica models but the D4 is super light and vg10 by Spyderco is outstanding! Edge retention is great and it is easy to sharpen and strop. The only slight downside that doesn't affect your everyday cutting chores is the saber grind. I really wish it was a Full Flat Grind just for better slicing. Although it is fine how it is, it would just make cutting that much easier. The ergos are great, jimping keeps your thumb locked in and with that thumb ramp it is good for thrusting and hard downward cuts. Pocket clip is reversable Left/Right Tip Up/Down so you can ride it however you like. You forget the knifes there.

All in all you can buy this knife $50 shipped and it will kick all your other beater knives outta your pocket ;]
 
I think Delica 4 makes excellent EDC based on what you guys tell me. And I don't mind that its not full flat grind. For slicing I carry Case Texas Jack amber bone in CV. Razor sharp slippie with nice thin blades. Always carry two knives if possible with at least one slipjoint in case you need to work with more sheeple people.
 
thejamppa said:
Somehow I got the feeling Delica 4 might the knife...
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...until the next one.:)

Seriously, the D4 is a great knife for edc. All the parts come together just right. Kershaw is a great brand and there are other knives that may be better than the Delica 4 at certain tasks, but as a general purpose edc blade the Delica is hard to beat. I think you are going to love the D4. Be sure to give a review when you get it.
 
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