ZDP-189 Delica

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pedicabdriver

Joined
Nov 29, 2007
Messages
684
I recently received this knife in a trade, and I'm in love. I've been a fan of Spyderco for quite some time, but I've never actually handled a Delica before. After just five minutes with this knife I could see why they're so popular. I have slightly larger than average hands, but the knife fits my hand perfectly. The ergonomics are far superior (in my opinion) to the Endura, which has always felt slightly awkward and uncomfortable in my hands.

delica006.jpg


The jimping on the thumb ramp on the spine is outstanding and allows for excellent control when cutting. The lockback feels extremely solid, with no vertical play whatsoever. There is minor horizontal blade play, maybe a millimeter's worth. A bit of tinkering with the pivot screw did result in elimination of blade play, but not without tightening the pivot to the point of making smooth opening impossible.

The previous owner of the knife stripped the paint off the pocket clip, and I think it looks gorgeous in combination with the blue FRN.

delica002.jpg


This knife was also my first experience with ZDP-189, and I'm impressed. I received the knife used, but in good condition. The knife was able to shave and push cut newsprint easily, but was not quite sharp enough to catch hair above the skin. However, there was a chip in the edge that required sharpening out. I was able to easily remove a chip approximately half a millimeter deep and half a millimeter long using the medium rods on a sharpmaker. Afterwards I went through the usual sharpening process, finishing up with the ultrafine rods. Total time from removing the chip to popping hair was about ten minutes.

All in all, the ZDP Delica is a fantastic knife. I may just have to add a few more Delica variations to my collection. :thumbup:
 
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It's the one I have in my pocket right now. My favorite work knife. It's an excellent choice.
 
ive had it in my pocket for the last 4 months, travelling around europe, using it every day, and i want to trade it. The clip has loosened, its difficult to sharpen zdp on the road and its a bit small for my hands. You really need to dry it off after cutting fruit or you´ll get rust splotches developing, makes me consider the salt steel. The grip gets all types of food stuck in it which doesn´t come out easily, the g-10 would be much better. Lastly, it doesnt slice as well as you'd think. A flat ground g-10 vg-10 is in my opinion a much better buy for edc.
 
triz neena said:
ive had it in my pocket for the last 4 months, travelling around europe, using it every day, and i want to trade it. The clip has loosened, its difficult to sharpen zdp on the road and its a bit small for my hands. You really need to dry it off after cutting fruit or you´ll get rust splotches developing, makes me consider the salt steel. The grip gets all types of food stuck in it which doesn´t come out easily, the g-10 would be much better. Lastly, it doesnt slice as well as you'd think. A flat ground g-10 vg-10 is in my opinion a much better buy for edc.
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My experience has been quite different. In 20 years, I've never had a spyderco clip loosen. I have no problem sharpening it. It fits my large hands well. I tend to clean my knives after use, so rust, as well as dirt in the handle, has never been a problem. After I reprofiled the factory edge, it cuts like a laser.

I love my ZDP Delica, as well as my ZDP Endura. You're right, however, that a flat grind would make a better slicer, so I guess it's a good thing Spyderco makes a knife for you, too.
 
I just got my ZDP E4 and D4 back from Tom Krein. I had him do .010" and it has made an enormous difference for slicing. Sal, if you're listening, they (at least the ZDP's) should come this way. Plus, Tom put his regrind logo on mine and the logo looks very cool. Gotta love the bulldog. Great knife, I have never had the pocket clip loosen but its not really a big deal, a little medium (blue) loctite and it certainly won't loosen again. I always use loctite on my Benchmade pivots and they don't move but are easily enough removed if necessary.
 
shangchi108 said:
My experience has been quite different. In 20 years, I've never had a spyderco clip loosen. I have no problem sharpening it. It fits my large hands well. I tend to clean my knives after use, so rust, as well as dirt in the handle, has never been a problem. After I reprofiled the factory edge, it cuts like a laser.

I love my ZDP Delica, as well as my ZDP Endura. You're right, however, that a flat grind would make a better slicer, so I guess it's a good thing Spyderco makes a knife for you, too.
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what profile did you change it to?
 
You should be proud of your Delice man, the ZDP-189 out classes the traditional VG-10 Spydercos by a long shot, almost double the cost though wasn't it?
 
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