Choices, choices

[BBRex]

OK, since I have some time before I order my :spyder: I've spent some time looking around. I'm looking for an EDC that's not too bulky, used mainly for light, general purpose work. After looking around, I've found three that I'm considering:

1. The Delica plain edge C11PBK with ATS-55 blade steel

2. The Dragonfly II SS plain edge with ATS-55 (which I asked about before)

3. The Native III plain edge with VG-10

I'm just curious about pros/cons of each. I figure at least some of you have at least two of the knives above, so maybe you have some insight as to which you prefer. Thanks for your help.

[greencobra]

Hey BBRex. Welcome to the forum.

I tote around a Delica FRN with the VG-10 blade. It does everything I've asked of it and I do really like it. It's a PE but I wish it were a SE at times. I have no cons. As for pros, it's light weight, stays sharp for a while, takes a wicked amount of abuse, and the pocket clip is reversible for right/left hand carry

Don't have a Native but I expect to hear nothing but good about it, it's a well liked and respected knife here.

I do own the Dragonfly SS but haven't used it.

[ghostrider]

The Native III is bulkier than the other two. The Deacon has done us a great service providing a pic of the Native's I and II for comparison.

Here is a link to a thread concerning that topic.

http://spyderco.com/forums/showthread.p ... ght=native

My guess is that the Delica, and Dragonfly (both FRN) are about the same width as the Native. Also, the Native is made in Earth .

Don't know if anyone has mentioned it, and hate to be a spoil sport, but you should at least look at a Calypso Jr. gray before they completly dissapear (they still show up on ebay occasionaly), or wait untill the burgandy ones come out. Great little EDC. It even rides well in the pocket sans clip, and the ergonomics are exceptional.They're referred to as "the lightsaber of :spyder: 's".

However, if you are still set on one of the other three, I would stay away from the Native III because of you "bulky" requirement. Nothing against the III, it was my first :spyder: . It's just bulkier than the C41. The trade off is that it is more ergonomic than it's sibling. There are a "few" Native fans here. i.v.?

[gull wing]

Get one with the VG10 you will not be sorry. Great cutters.

[spydutch]

My first spyder was a saltI and my second was nativeIII. The native may look bulkier but in my pocket I didn't notice much difference in bulkiness. Another avantage of the native is that it really becomes part of your hand. Try it and you will find out.

[dialex]

Welcome aboard. I'd go for the Delica. ATS-55 is a fine steel, but they make it now in VG-10, which is even better. I am somehow surprised that you can still find ATS-55 Delica(s) on the market and I think that you can get yourself a VG-10 one for the same money. VG-10 Delica has a different grind from the ATS-55 model (flat vs. hollow) which gives a stronger edge.
The Native is a fine knife (I'd go for the Golden made one mysself, it's slimmer and has better steel - S30V or CPM440V), but unfortunately it never fit my hand the way Delica does.
The Dragonfly is a great slicer, I'd get this one if I were after a small knife.

[Dr. Snubnose]

I have all three and would suggest you get the Delica to start...a spyderco classic...you won't be sorry...then move on and get the rest of them...each has it's strong points and you will slowly fall in love with all three... PS Buy clothing with lots of pockets :D ...Doc

[vampyrewolf]

I started with a pe/frn delica... 3yrs and then my buddy got it when I upgraded to a ce military... it's still going strong with 7yrs of use.

I've been beating on a pe/ss 'fly since aug 01... still solid.

Had a native III, forum model... didn't like how it locked onto my hand with one hand closing.

of those choices, I'd say get a 'fly if you want stainless, the delica if you want frn... either one will last you for a long time.

[BBRex]

I am somehow surprised that you can still find ATS-55 Delica(s) on the market

I'm going by the description on the New Graham Knives site. Maybe the description is outdated? I didn't see a Delica with VG-10 listed there, but I can look around or e-mail them and ask if they have 'em.

[Fisher of Men]

I'm going by the description on the New Graham Knives site. Maybe the description is outdated? I didn't see a Delica with VG-10 listed there, but I can look around or e-mail them and ask if they have 'em.

They are VG-10. Mike from the NGK site has just forgotten to fix that. I asked him the same and he said they are all VG-10.

I'd go with a VG-10 Delica. I think you'll like it.

If you really wanted ATS-55 I know John F. Jensen's site has a few blue serrated Delica's in that. Just search Google for John F Jensen.

Cheers,
David :)

[BBRex]

Thank you. That's good to know. I got my Cara Cara from them, and was impressed, so I figured I order there again if they had what I wanted.