How to turn a Delica into a $350+ knife.
How to turn a Delica into a $350+ knife.
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!
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!
Last edited by fixall on Wed Jun 30, 2021 4:34 pm, edited 9 times in total.
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Re: How to turn a Delica into a $350+ knife.
That's really an exceptional knife. Beautiful!
Re: How to turn a Delica into a $350+ knife.
Looks awesome! I love the blue anodized backspacer to match the screws.
- Julia
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"Be excellent to each other." - Bill S. Preston, Esq.
- JonLeBlanc
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Re: How to turn a Delica into a $350+ knife.
How did the completion of that project not cause the rapid acceleration of the heat death of the universe?
My collection so far: 52100 Military (2); 52100 PM2 (2); 52100 Para3; Stretch2 V-Toku; KnifeWorks M4 PM2; BentoBox M390 PM2; BentoBox S90V Military; Police4 K390; S110V PM2; SS Delica AUS-6; Wayne Goddard Sprint VG-10
Wish list: Hundred Pacer; Sliverax; Mantra; 52100 PM2 SE; Kapara
Wish list: Hundred Pacer; Sliverax; Mantra; 52100 PM2 SE; Kapara
Re: How to turn a Delica into a $350+ knife.
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.
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.
Lol, maybe that's why 2020 has been so crazy.JonLeBlanc wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2020 4:51 pmHow did the completion of that project not cause the rapid acceleration of the heat death of the universe?
Re: How to turn a Delica into a $350+ knife.
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?
15 's in 10 different steels
1 - Bradford Guardian 3 / Vanadis 4E Wharnie
1 - Monterey Bay Knives Slayback Flipper / ZDP 189
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31/Macassar Ebony Inlays
1 - CRK Large Inkosi Insingo/ Black Micarta Inlays
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31 Insingo/Magnacut
-Rick
1 - Bradford Guardian 3 / Vanadis 4E Wharnie
1 - Monterey Bay Knives Slayback Flipper / ZDP 189
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31/Macassar Ebony Inlays
1 - CRK Large Inkosi Insingo/ Black Micarta Inlays
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31 Insingo/Magnacut
-Rick
Re: How to turn a Delica into a $350+ knife.
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.
Re: How to turn a Delica into a $350+ knife.
Now, you just need to have the handles milled out for inlay w/ a bolster...
Hehe. :D
Hehe. :D
"If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so."
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-Thomas Jefferson
Re: How to turn a Delica into a $350+ knife.
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.
Re: How to turn a Delica into a $350+ knife.
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.
"If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so."
-Thomas Jefferson
-Thomas Jefferson
Re: How to turn a Delica into a $350+ knife.
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.Sumdumguy wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2020 5:37 pmWelcome 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.
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.
Last edited by fixall on Tue Jul 14, 2020 7:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Cambertree
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Re: How to turn a Delica into a $350+ knife.
Looks superb. Very nice work.
- araneae
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Re: How to turn a Delica into a $350+ knife.
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.
So many knives, so few pockets... :)
-Nick
Last in: N5 Magnacut
The "Spirit" of the design does not come through unless used. -Sal
-Nick
Last in: N5 Magnacut
The "Spirit" of the design does not come through unless used. -Sal
Re: How to turn a Delica into a $350+ knife.
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?!
Re: How to turn a Delica into a $350+ knife.
Awesome work, looks great!
- VooDooChild
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Re: How to turn a Delica into a $350+ knife.
I really like the razor edge knives clips. They are expensive but also really good.
"Rome's greatest contribution to mathematics was the killing of Archimedes."
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- araneae
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Re: How to turn a Delica into a $350+ knife.
Thinking about contoured g-10 or micarta.
fixall wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2020 7:10 pmUnderstandable! 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?!
So many knives, so few pockets... :)
-Nick
Last in: N5 Magnacut
The "Spirit" of the design does not come through unless used. -Sal
-Nick
Last in: N5 Magnacut
The "Spirit" of the design does not come through unless used. -Sal