How to turn a Delica into a $350+ knife.

[fixall]

The Delica wharncliffe sprint run in HAP40 and burnt orange FRN is my all time favorite work knife. So much so that once they had been available for awhile and everyone who wanted one was able to get one... I went back and bought a couple more in case I lost or destroyed my beloved Delica at work. My work knife has been going strong for over two years now and I haven't lost or damaged it, so I figured I may as well deck out one of my spares and use it for an EDC (safe queens bug me).

I have to say, this build was completely inspired by the recent talk of a Spyderco custom shop. I really like customizing knives with aftermarket parts/finishes and making it "your own"... Although I went a bit deeper down the rabbit hole with this build than I usually do. I have high hopes that the Spyderco custom shop takes off and is a hit (if it happens). Being able to do something like this direct from the factory would be incredible.

I'm still looking for someone to do some custom milling and add either a blue mammoth tusk, Timascus, or maybe meteorite (if I can find one with acceptable contrast) inlay, but other than that the knife is done. :)

Build list:
Delica whancliffe HAP40 sprint
Flytanium titanium scales
Flytanium titanium backspacer (anodized by Steve of BladesWeLove)
Custom CNCed and anodized titanium screws (both sides), sleeves, and pivots (by xxxadrenalinxxx out of Australia)
Razor Edge Knives titanium pocket clip (custom stonewash finish applied by Josh of REK)










https://youtu.be/7-XISIYicpc


*Update!

[tbdoc4kids]

Sweet!

[JustinB]

Gorgeous :D

[TomAiello]

That's really an exceptional knife. Beautiful!

[JuPaul]

Looks awesome! I love the blue anodized backspacer to match the screws.

[JonLeBlanc]

How did the completion of that project not cause the rapid acceleration of the heat death of the universe?

[fixall]

Thanks! It may not be worthy of its own thread, but I got excited, lol.

Getting a hold of the titanium screws for both sides was a pain in the butt. The typical anodized screws you can find for the Delica are actually only for one side and it requires sleeves/custom threading if you want to put them on both sides.

How did the completion of that project not cause the rapid acceleration of the heat death of the universe?

Lol, maybe that's why 2020 has been so crazy.

[TkoK83Spy]

Looks great for sure, can't argue that! But...at that price point, why not just spend a smidge more and grab a Sebenza or something along those lines?

[fixall]

Looks great for sure, can't argue that! But...at that price point, why not just spend a smidge more and grab a Sebenza or something along those lines?

Been there, done that. :)



The Sebenza can't give me HAP40 with a thin edge (although I am currently trying to find someone to perform a Vanax/N11X Damacore reblade for the Sebenza), nor the ergonomics of the Delica that I have come to love.

[Sumdumguy]

Now, you just need to have the handles milled out for inlay w/ a bolster...

Hehe. :D

[fixall]

Now, you just need to have the handles milled out for inlay w/ a bolster...

Hehe. :D

I'll probably hold off on the bolster, but I'm actually currently looking for someone to do some custom milling/inlay work for it. Harder to find than I was expecting, lol.

[Sumdumguy]

Now, you just need to have the handles milled out for inlay w/ a bolster...

Hehe. :D

I'll probably hold off on the bolster, but I'm actually currently looking for someone to do some custom milling/inlay work for it. Harder to find than I was expecting, lol.

Welcome to my world, haha.

The bolsters are already there, you just mill out the back 2/3rd of the handles and then have it inlayed.

[fixall]

Now, you just need to have the handles milled out for inlay w/ a bolster...

Hehe. :D

I'll probably hold off on the bolster, but I'm actually currently looking for someone to do some custom milling/inlay work for it. Harder to find than I was expecting, lol.

Welcome to my world, haha.

The bolsters are already there, you just mill out the back 2/3rd of the handles and then have it inlayed.

That's a pretty good idea! I'm pretty picky on handle material though so I'm not sure I would be able to find a material I was satisfied with for the rear 2/3rds of the knife.

Right now I'm kind of leaning towards a 1/4" - 1/2" stripe inlay made out of blue mammoth tusk, Timascus, or meteorite (least likely). Kind of like what is found on my Busker.

[Cambertree]

Looks superb. Very nice work.

[araneae]

Not my cup of tea as I don't care for metal handles, but it sure is pretty. Been thinking about buying some nice pants for my HAP40 too.

[fixall]

Not my cup of tea as I don't care for metal handles, but it sure is pretty. Been thinking about buying some nice pants for my HAP40 too.

Understandable! They tend to be smooth and add a lot of weight.

Micarta is typically my go to for knives that will got a lot of work and then I save carbon fiber and titanium for my lighter use and “dress” knives.

The Delica is such a great platform for mods... And I think the cladded steel on the HAP40 really takes it up a notch. What were you thinking for yours?!

[benben]

Awesome work, looks great!

[VooDooChild]

I really like the razor edge knives clips. They are expensive but also really good.

[Tucson Tom]

Looks great for sure, can't argue that! But...at that price point, why not just spend a smidge more and grab a Sebenza or something along those lines?

Sebenza ain't got a hole. That would be a deal breaker for me (and has been).

[araneae]

Thinking about contoured g-10 or micarta.

Not my cup of tea as I don't care for metal handles, but it sure is pretty. Been thinking about buying some nice pants for my HAP40 too.

Understandable! They tend to be smooth and add a lot of weight.

Micarta is typically my go to for knives that will got a lot of work and then I save carbon fiber and titanium for my lighter use and “dress” knives.

The Delica is such a great platform for mods... And I think the cladded steel on the HAP40 really takes it up a notch. What were you thinking for yours?!