If I were upgrading the Delica

[Doc Dan]

If I were upgrading the Delica (and I am not saying it needs it), I would fix the lock so as to be like the one in the Chaparral with the stop pin. Also, I really like the Caly3. It is a Leek killer. It has the same size handle as a Leek and is a lot safer. It is stronger, as well. I would take the oversize pivot pin and put that on the Delica. I would take the thicker blade and put that on the Delica, too, but keep the Delica blade style. I would offer the knife in FRN, G10, and Titanium (just for fun) and no choil.

I like the Delica just the way it is, but I got to thinking what I would do to improve it. These things are what I came up with. What do you all think?

[Jsd]

The Delica is great, there is only one design change I would upgrade. It is on both the Delica and the Endura. The handle has a rise right where my middle finger comes to rest. I have a large hand, so for me if that rise were changed into an small indentation it would pe perfect.

[jstrange]

I like the general design of the Delica so I wouldn't want too much change. I would like to try incorporate the newer lock from the Native series into the Delica and I would push the blade to closer to 3" to give it just a little more edge and fill the handle a bit. If it were just a tad bigger it could be my one do-it-all knife. Oh, and I keep the nice thin stock, but I would give it a straight spine again all the way to the tip. I love a pointy tip.

[MichaelScott]

Yep, straight spine all the way to the tip. That little droop kind of bothers me. Why is it there? Any functional reason? I would make the clip a bit slimmer, more in keeping with the overall form of the knife. If I was to get more radical, I'd like to see a Delica in a classic Wharncliffe blade shape. VG10 is fine as it is a fine steel and keeps the costs down. My Sharpmaker will keep a fine edge on my VG10 steel and my CPM M4. Oh, and an OD scale color would be nice.

If I didn't have a Bradley 2 I'd probably have a Delica 4, Spyderco's best (function, size, weight, quality and cost) knife when you can only have one.

[tap78]

I suggest a Mantra... this is in my oppinion a refined delica

[tvenuto]

Nope. For what it is, and for me, the Delica is perfect as is.

[Cujobob]

A thicker blade makes no sense to me because it essentially decreases its performance. It's a knife, thinner knives cut better, so why make it worse at its primary job?

I would round the spine, refine the back lock, and hide the blade tang in the handle better, personally. Also, change the stock blade steel or improve the HT of the VG-10 because my results with it have been underwhelming. Most any steel, properly heat treated, is great for EDC and just a balance of characteristics.

Would also like to see a titanium handle on it with a treatment similar to the Slysz Bowie (blasted and stone washed I believe) and with the better steel offering. I have the titanium and Damascus version and the handle doesn't respond to EDC wear well.

[jstrange]

A Delica the same size and shape as the Mantra, but still an FRN lock-back, with the Native lock would be my ideal knife. Or simply put, stick the Mantra blade on the Delica handle, upgrade the lock, and call it a day.

[bearfacedkiller]

A Delica the same size and shape as the Mantra, but still an FRN lock-back, with the Native lock would be my ideal knife. Or simply put, stick the Mantra blade on the Delica handle, upgrade the lock, and call it a day.

The mantra is a frame lock and does not require a kick to stop the blade from closing too far. The Delica will keep the ricasso as long as it has a backlock.

[bearfacedkiller]

I like the general design of the Delica so I wouldn't want too much change. I would like to try incorporate the newer lock from the Native series into the Delica and I would push the blade to closer to 3" to give it just a little more edge and fill the handle a bit. If it were just a tad bigger it could be my one do-it-all knife. Oh, and I keep the nice thin stock, but I would give it a straight spine again all the way to the tip. I love a pointy tip.

Yep, straight spine all the way to the tip. That little droop kind of bothers me. Why is it there? Any functional reason? I would make the clip a bit slimmer, more in keeping with the overall form of the knife. If I was to get more radical, I'd like to see a Delica in a classic Wharncliffe blade shape. VG10 is fine as it is a fine steel and keeps the costs down. My Sharpmaker will keep a fine edge on my VG10 steel and my CPM M4. Oh, and an OD scale color would be nice.

If I didn't have a Bradley 2 I'd probably have a Delica 4, Spyderco's best (function, size, weight, quality and cost) knife when you can only have one.

The hump was added to the tip because of too many reports of broken tips. Fifteen minutes with some 100 grit sandpaper fixes that anyway.

[bearfacedkiller]

I would like to see the lock either made with the tight tolerances of the Native5 or with the stop pin of the Sage4/Chaparral. Other than a tighter lock I think it is perfect as is. Well, after I straighten the spine back out.

[MichaelScott]

"Fifteen minutes with some 100 grit sandpaper fixes that anyway. "

Nice. That, alone, moves a Delica up to the top of my list. Fits nicely between the Bradley 2 and my Dragonfly.

[MichaelScott]

Duplicate...

[harronek]

The only changes needed are make Hap40 steel standard production , and improve the black paint on the clip so it doesn't wear off and scratch at the slightest bump and knock .

Ken

[jstrange]

A Delica the same size and shape as the Mantra, but still an FRN lock-back, with the Native lock would be my ideal knife. Or simply put, stick the Mantra blade on the Delica handle, upgrade the lock, and call it a day.

The mantra is a frame lock and does not require a kick to stop the blade from closing too far. The Delica will keep the ricasso as long as it has a backlock.

Okay, makes sense, but I still wish the blade was a little longer.

[Sharp Guy]

Nope. For what it is, and for me, the Delica is perfect as is.

+1 Nothing to change or fix as far as I'm concerned. The handle fits my hand perfectly, the blade is a good length and shape for my needs, and I find the bi-directional texturing on the FRN nice and grippy. If I want something different I'll reach for a different model as I often do. Like so many of the Spyderco models, I think the Delica is a well thought out individual and I like it just the way it is.

With above said, I did mod a Delica with a set of Boomer 52's Lil' Para scales. I absolutely love how that knife feels in my hand! However, I don't think of it as an improved Delica, I look at it as a different knife altogether. Comparing it with my G10 UKPK I kind of think of it as Delica meets Caly 3.

[anagarika]

I'd like to see a Delica in a classic Wharncliffe blade shape.

Michael,
A Wharnie Delica is coming:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=70607

[Evil D]

Yep, straight spine all the way to the tip. That little droop kind of bothers me. Why is it there? Any functional reason?

Previous Delica models had a straight spine with no droop and people complained about the tip being too fragile. As the saying goes, it's easier to remove a bit of metal on your own and make the tip pointier if you want it that way, than for someone else to make the tip stronger. Gotta remember that we only represent a tiny fraction of the Delica market, and most of the people buying them likely abuse their knives more than you or I.

Personally I would prefer a very very slight leaf shape curve to the spine...seems to be a nice balance between the two. I bobbed the tip on this Para 1 to keep it length legal, and blended the spine down so there's just a very slight curve to it. I started off with a more Delica like tip but gradually blended it down to this.




As for upgrading the Delica, I like the idea of the improved back lock design changes, but my biggest gripe are those darn finger grooves. Make the handle shape more like the Harpy or Centofante and I'd be much more inclined to buy one. Heck make the points wider apart like the Mantra and I'd be happy, they at least fit my fingers better than a Delica does.

[dplafoll]

I suggest a Mantra... this is in my oppinion a refined delica

This is a good call. I have both and it's like the Mantra is the 3rd iteration after the Delica and the Caly3.

I think the Mantra is my favorite in my collection.

[Doc Dan]

There is some good discussion, here. I think we are all agreed that the lock needs upgrading to be like the Native 5 or the Chaparral. I like the Delica the way it is, but things can always be improved. I also like the Caly3, only less so than the Delica. So, I thought of combining a couple of things I did like about the Caly into the Delica. (The Caly3 prices are so high now that I am afraid to carry mine anymore). With the Delica and or the Caly3 there is no reason for the Leek to exist The Delica is my favorite pocket knive, bar none.