The Delica 4: Timeless Classic or Long in the Tooth?

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carrot
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The Delica 4: Timeless Classic or Long in the Tooth?

#1

Post by carrot »

The 4th generation Delica came out in 2006. The FFG variant that most people think of when they hear "Delica 4" came out in 2010.

Now that it's 2018, the D4 design will be 12 years old. The Delica pattern, released in 1990, will be 28 years old. To put it into perspective, the current darling and prospective classic of the knife world, the Paramilitary 2, debuted in 2010.

For myself, I keep re-discovering the Delica (and Endura, and Salts). The Delica 4 was my first Spyderco, back in 2006 when it was a minty fresh design. I will go through long periods where I've felt like I've outgrown it, and then inevitably, it will find its way back into my pocket and right now I am feeling a little Delica-crazed. A clipless purple D4 slips easily into my pockets and cuts with the best of them. So for me, the D4 is starting to feel like a classic - it's been with me from the start of my knife collection right til present day.

With that said, is it time for the Delica to see another revision? What would re-invigorate the design? What would set the baseline for the next decade? Or is the unassuming Delica literally mid-lock nirvana?
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Re: The Delica 4: Timeless Classic or Long in the Tooth?

#2

Post by Evil D »

Well, my biggest and maybe only gripe has always been those dang finger grooves. If the bottom side of the handle was shaped like the Harpy I'd own a bunch. There are so many sprints I've passed on because the ergonomics just don't work for me. So, I'd say yes it's due for an update, but I doubt I'll get what I want.
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Re: The Delica 4: Timeless Classic or Long in the Tooth?

#3

Post by xceptnl »

carrot wrote:The 4th generation Delica came out in 2006. The FFG variant that most people think of when they hear "Delica 4" came out in 2010.

Now that it's 2018, the D4 design will be 12 years old. The Delica pattern, released in 1990, will be 28 years old. To put it into perspective, the current darling and prospective classic of the knife world, the Paramilitary 2, debuted in 2010.

For myself, I keep re-discovering the Delica (and Endura, and Salts). The Delica 4 was my first Spyderco, back in 2006 when it was a minty fresh design. I will go through long periods where I've felt like I've outgrown it, and then inevitably, it will find its way back into my pocket and right now I am feeling a little Delica-crazed. A clipless purple D4 slips easily into my pockets and cuts with the best of them. So for me, the D4 is starting to feel like a classic - it's been with me from the start of my knife collection right til present day.

With that said, is it time for the Delica to see another revision? What would re-invigorate the design? What would set the baseline for the next decade? Or is the unassuming Delica literally mid-lock nirvana?

That's truly a tough one and well deserving of some serious thought. I share your feelings about the Delica 4 (the 3 is also still a great little knife that I keep coming back to). It finds it's way in and out of my rotation from time to time, each with a new and reenergized appreciation.

As for upgrades to inject new life back into this classic, I don't think I can think of a single improvement that would help the design as a whole in the quest towards perfection. Most all of my suggestions would be based on my preference and my tastes (crowned or swedged spine, bolstered with polished G-10 handles, all G-10 handles over existing skeletonized liners, revival of the barrel clip attachment, etc). These preferences would most certainly increase the production cost for both materials & labor, thus I doubt my preferred upgrades would be welcomed at a time when costs and pricing are on the rise.

Honestly, the introduction of variants like the Jazzdelica are a great way to attract new people to the fourth generation of the beloved Delica. Perhaps we will continue to see alternative blade shapes in an already well refined package.
Last edited by xceptnl on Wed Jan 10, 2018 5:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: The Delica 4: Timeless Classic or Long in the Tooth?

#4

Post by twinboysdad »

Sculpted G10 like the Shaman? Perhaps a finer tip? I like the **** out of it as is!
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Re: The Delica 4: Timeless Classic or Long in the Tooth?

#5

Post by dplafoll »

The answer is "both".
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Re: The Delica 4: Timeless Classic or Long in the Tooth?

#6

Post by SharpieB »

The Buck 110 is long In the tooth (50+ years) IMO but still sells like crazy.

I would assume the Delica (and PM2 and Endura) account for a substantial portion of Spyderco’s overall knife sales, so why change them? Almost every knife store I have visited has either a Delica or Endura on display. They are literally everywhere.

I personally wouldn’t change anything on the Delica beyond new steels and scales unless sales tanked....
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Re: The Delica 4: Timeless Classic or Long in the Tooth?

#7

Post by Johnnie1801 »

The Delica is a classic Spyderco design for me. Would be cool to see different handle configurations (g10, micarta etc), wire clip and a straight tip. Always keep using Japanese steels though, s30v models felt like a bit of an abomination to me and not much of an improvement over vg-10
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Re: The Delica 4: Timeless Classic or Long in the Tooth?

#8

Post by p_atrick »

I'd love a proper finger choil like on the Stretch, but that's not a huge thing. I like it pretty much the way it is. Oh, the new FRN pattern on the Chappy looks likes nice. Not sure if it feels/performs better the bi-directional pattern on the Delica et al.
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Re: The Delica 4: Timeless Classic or Long in the Tooth?

#9

Post by steelcity16 »

Johnnie1801 wrote:The Delica is a classic Spyderco design for me. Would be cool to see different handle configurations (g10, micarta etc), wire clip and a straight tip. Always keep using Japanese steels though, s30v models felt like a bit of an abomination to me and not much of an improvement over vg-10
I started a thread earlier today asking about G10 Delica sprints (go reply to that thread everyone! :) ), and would love to see that soon. I voted for laminated Superblue with Blurple or Red G10 scales. I think the wire clip would be cool on this as well, but since they have already done a G10 Sprint with the regular clip, I doubt we would see that.
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Re: The Delica 4: Timeless Classic or Long in the Tooth?

#10

Post by farnorthdan »

Another bolstered version would be nice, like the 25th, missed that one and lust after it every time I see one.
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Re: The Delica 4: Timeless Classic or Long in the Tooth?

#11

Post by Jazz »

I'd like the blade to be a hair thicker for strength. Don't stone me, all you slicey slicers. The Caly is thicker and it cuts well. For some reason, the wharnie is the perfect thickness though. Even though the finger grooves don't bother me at all, I'd still change the first one to encompass the first two fingers at least.
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Re: The Delica 4: Timeless Classic or Long in the Tooth?

#12

Post by vivi »

Evil D wrote:Well, my biggest and maybe only gripe has always been those dang finger grooves. If the bottom side of the handle was shaped like the Harpy I'd own a bunch. There are so many sprints I've passed on because the ergonomics just don't work for me. So, I'd say yes it's due for an update, but I doubt I'll get what I want.
This is my biggest gripe too. The Delica, Tasman Salt etc. never worked for my grip.

I nearly wrote off Spyderco after buying a saber ground delica. It didn't cut as well as the swiss army knife it replaced and the handle was uncomfortable.

On an Endura 4, much less a Delica 4, there isn't enough space in the first finger groove for my middle and index finger to comfortably grip. I can either squish my hands trying to make it work, or grip it further back and then it feels awkward and tip heavy.

Luckily I got my hands on a Military next :D

They seem to sell well so I expect them to stay around. As long as Spyderco offers other models that fit my hands better I see nothing wrong with that!
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Re: The Delica 4: Timeless Classic or Long in the Tooth?

#13

Post by abbazaba »

The handle has never quite worked for me, so I like the idea of a Delica5.

However, since I learned how to hold the knife further back and use it lightly, it's been less of an issue. The Pakkawood got a lot of pocket time last year and continues to be my office go to. Not sure why as it doesn't fit my hand great and I usually prefer the LW version of any given knife. I think we all agree that there is something special about the Delica4 even if it isn't perfect. I go back and forth on wanting a 50/50 choil or just more edge length... Either way lets do something with that exposed steel :)
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Re: The Delica 4: Timeless Classic or Long in the Tooth?

#14

Post by vivi »

I think the Delica and Endura work well with choils. The Cara Cara is basically an Endura 3 with a choil. I've added them to Pacific Salts too...plenty of room there not being used for anything else.
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Re: The Delica 4: Timeless Classic or Long in the Tooth?

#15

Post by kvdo »

Evil D wrote:Well, my biggest and maybe only gripe has always been those dang finger grooves. If the bottom side of the handle was shaped like the Harpy I'd own a bunch. There are so many sprints I've passed on because the ergonomics just don't work for me. So, I'd say yes it's due for an update, but I doubt I'll get what I want.
Same for me - the finger grooves just don't match up with my fingers.
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Re: The Delica 4: Timeless Classic or Long in the Tooth?

#16

Post by andrewu750 »

I actually just received my first delica in the mail today. I have to say first impressions that it is a really great knife. Very sharp and solid straight out of the box.
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Re: The Delica 4: Timeless Classic or Long in the Tooth?

#17

Post by Larry_Mott »

Some things are better left alone since they work perfectly as is. Sharks, crocodiles, Colt 1911 Government, Buck 110 folding hunter and Spyderco Delica for example :)
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Re: The Delica 4: Timeless Classic or Long in the Tooth?

#18

Post by Bloke »

Larry_Mott wrote:Some things are better left alone since they work perfectly as is. Sharks, crocodiles, Colt 1911 Government, Buck 110 folding hunter and Spyderco Delica for example :)
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Re: The Delica 4: Timeless Classic or Long in the Tooth?

#19

Post by elena86 »

Larry_Mott wrote:Some things are better left alone since they work perfectly as is. Sharks, crocodiles, Colt 1911 Government, Buck 110 folding hunter and Spyderco Delica for example :)
Yep :spyder:
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Re: The Delica 4: Timeless Classic or Long in the Tooth?

#20

Post by The Deacon »

Nothing works for everyone, but the Delica 4 seems to work for a lot of people. If that were not the case, Spyderco would have already come out with a Delica 5, or at least be working on one. We sometimes forget that, as much as Spyderco caters to the wants and whims of the "knife afi" community, not everything is about us. Some models, like the Delica and Endura, are designed with "non-afis" in mind.
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