OK, it's time to get serious

[Capt'n Boatsalot]

And the Wharncliffe Delica (aka Jazz-ilca) kicked off the entire Wharncliffe revolution, which included the Endela and Endura WC models in K390! Amazing cutting performance, and some of the best values.

[Mark!]

Further development of this idea would make sense to create a new DELICA model based on the Gooney blade. But the blade tip should be slightly sharper than that of the original Gooney.

How do you see this Gooney-Delica being different from the Lil Matriarch?

From my experience, statistics have shown that knife weight is a critical parameter. 70 grams is a good weight for a folding knife. I now carry a 90-gram knife reluctantly and much less frequently. All my knives weighing 100 grams or more sit on shelves for years.

The Gooney is a very clever knife, possessing deep meaning and potential for further development. Many will understand it, but only after they've used it well. I didn't buy the Gooney only because of its weight - 104 grams is a sentence...
The Delica base is much lighter - less than 70 grams.

[Mark!]

... The Gooney is/was an experimental design for me. It will continue to improve, as we learn more from you. ...
sal

Thank you very much for the details. I would have taken a slightly different approach – first testing all the new blade shapes on ready-made basic Endura and Delica handles, using less expensive steels. Then, after collecting feedback, I would create unique handles for the most popular blade shapes.

The thing is, I have over 70 Spyderco knives. At least 10 different versions of the Endura alone. And I've modified them all in different ways. Including changing the blade geometry. I might be wrong, but my hand is much better at comparing blade shapes on identical basic handles. This way, I get a clearer idea of ​​how the blade shape works. And for everyday work, my absolute favorites are the Endura 2 and Delica 2 with modified handles.

[MyDogBitz]

It's about time we got a REAL work knife. Plain and simple, for real world work like cutting cardboard, bands, opening boxes and packaging, etc., etc., I've found a sheepsfoot or wharncliffe blade around 3" to be ideal. I'm tired of using H1 and not having edge holding for long (don't tell me to try serrated - I strongly dislike them), and also tired of using a Byrd knife with it's boxy handle edges, etc. Can we please get a 3" sheepsfoot bladed knife with a plain edge, back lock, either hollow grind or not too thin FFG, not too heavy, and with a top notch steel for edge retention (M4 or something similar?)? Am I alone in this desire? I find bellied blades will slide off the work a bit, whilst straight edges don't. Just call it "The Work Knife". I'm frustrated, and just want a good knife, and want it to be with a Spyderco hole on it.

I work in heavy construction as an electrician. I carry a standard Shaman in S30V. I use and abuse that knife. It handles everything I throw at it without issue.

[sal]

Hi Mark!

Thanx much for your support across the years, and for sharing your thoughts.

sal

[sal]

It's about time we got a REAL work knife. Plain and simple, for real world work like cutting cardboard, bands, opening boxes and packaging, etc., etc., I've found a sheepsfoot or wharncliffe blade around 3" to be ideal. I'm tired of using H1 and not having edge holding for long (don't tell me to try serrated - I strongly dislike them), and also tired of using a Byrd knife with it's boxy handle edges, etc. Can we please get a 3" sheepsfoot bladed knife with a plain edge, back lock, either hollow grind or not too thin FFG, not too heavy, and with a top notch steel for edge retention (M4 or something similar?)? Am I alone in this desire? I find bellied blades will slide off the work a bit, whilst straight edges don't. Just call it "The Work Knife". I'm frustrated, and just want a good knife, and want it to be with a Spyderco hole on it.

I work in heavy construction as an electrician. I carry a standard Shaman in S30V. I use and abuse that knife. It handles everything I throw at it without issue.

Hi MyDogBitz,

Welcome to our forum.

That is what the knife was designed to do.

sal

[Skywalker]

Further development of this idea would make sense to create a new DELICA model based on the Gooney blade. But the blade tip should be slightly sharper than that of the original Gooney.

How do you see this Gooney-Delica being different from the Lil Matriarch?

From my experience, statistics have shown that knife weight is a critical parameter. 70 grams is a good weight for a folding knife. I now carry a 90-gram knife reluctantly and much less frequently. All my knives weighing 100 grams or more sit on shelves for years.

The Gooney is a very clever knife, possessing deep meaning and potential for further development. Many will understand it, but only after they've used it well. I didn't buy the Gooney only because of its weight - 104 grams is a sentence...
The Delica base is much lighter - less than 70 grams.

Sorry, I don't understand the point you're making here.

The Lil Matriarch is a Delica-based, reverse-S blade model that per Spydiewiki weighs 71g / 2.5 oz.

[BornIn1500]

From my experience, statistics have shown that knife weight is a critical parameter. 70 grams is a good weight for a folding knife. I now carry a 90-gram knife reluctantly and much less frequently. All my knives weighing 100 grams or more sit on shelves for years.

What statistics? I can understand the weight if you're wearing gym shorts on a hot summer day. But if you're wearing jeans, 100 grams (3.5 ounces) feels like nothing. I didn't even notice my 4 ounce Lil Temperance G10 today.

[ejames13]

This thread needs more pics.



@sal will we ever see more Delica wharny sprints or other steel variants?

[Mark!]

Hi Mark!

Thanx much for your support across the years, and for sharing your thoughts.

sal

Thank you!
You've opened up a new world of smart, modern knives.
And thanks to you, we all have these wonderful knives. Incidentally, after reading this thread, I bought myself another Delica 2 for New Year's, January 1st. It's in perfect condition— new. And it looks a lot like a Delica wharny + serrated.

[Mark!]

What statistics? I can understand the weight if you're wearing gym shorts on a hot summer day. But if you're wearing jeans, 100 grams (3.5 ounces) feels like nothing. I didn't even notice my 4 ounce Lil Temperance G10 today.

I rarely wear jeans. I don't like them being tight or having things hanging off me. I also don't carry my Glock 19 anymore because of its weight. I prefer a tiny Czech 9mm "Kevin" pistol for everyday carry. And thank the creator that we are all different.

Sorry, I don't understand the point you're making here.

The Lil Matriarch is a Delica-based, reverse-S blade model that per Spydiewiki weighs 71g / 2.5 oz.

I apologize for expressing my thoughts so vaguely. What I meant was that they have different blade ends, and therefore completely different purposes. Lil Matriarch is more of a self-defense guy. Gooney is a tough, hard worker. If they had identical handles, the comparison would be more precise and clear.

[Brock O Lee]

K390, the most serious one.

[Mark!]

Incredible wealth!

How would you feel about the Delica's handle being shaped like this? Sorry for using your photos, but I think it'll be easier to visualize what I'm talking about.



I've modified several of my old Endura and Delica knives this way. And on the Delica, I got a very pleasing result. Now the knife feels more comfortable in a larger hand.

[Catchadroppingknife]

I don’t know but this one has worked well for me. Great handle fits my hand well and a good sized blade. Delica is just a little small for my uses. I hope they do a sprint or something with the Leafjumper/ Rockjumper - just a different steel

[Brock O Lee]

How would you feel about the Delica's handle being shaped like this?

I don't like it, so I modified my current user (the bottom one)...The other two are still minty fresh pre-need replacements.

[elena86]

I feel I should kick myself for not scoring at least one K390 wharnie Delica before they were discontinued. That was the ultimate plain edge Delica IMO. I have the orange Hap40 one instead. That being said my SE wharnie Delica in VG10 is a fantastic working knife. The combination between the wharncliffe blade and the spyderedge packs tremendous cutting power. It’s in my pocket most of the time. I wish Sal decides to try a SE or PE SPY27 sprint. The benefits of a wharnie blade shape are even more obvious in a small blade like the Dragonfly. I didn’t repeat the same mistake and purchased a K390 wharnie Dfly2. What a little beast this is. When I want to “travel light” I just toss the little one in my fifth pocket and I never feel under knifed, so to speak. I might purchase a backup just in case. My conclusion is : the release of the wharnie Delica was a great decision. A wharnie blade(edge) might not be as versatile as other blade shapes(edges) but it works like a champ for most of our usual chores like opening packages and draw cuts in general.

[Skywalker]

Sorry, I don't understand the point you're making here.

The Lil Matriarch is a Delica-based, reverse-S blade model that per Spydiewiki weighs 71g / 2.5 oz.

I apologize for expressing my thoughts so vaguely. What I meant was that they have different blade ends, and therefore completely different purposes. Lil Matriarch is more of a self-defense guy. Gooney is a tough, hard worker. If they had identical handles, the comparison would be more precise and clear.

Thanks, I got it now.

Yeah, I like the Delica wharncliffe for daily use but the Lil Matriarch shape would be a bit much/too aggressive for that. Gooney-style would be a little better balance.

[kobold]

For many years my default is the serrated LC200N Native 5. It passed the test of time, so what can be better than just more of it? The edge on the Native Chief is exactly the same size and curve as the CRK Inkosingo. Except it's a SpyderEdge.
Can't really ask for more in a blade for my use case.

[cabfrank]

Best necro thread bump ever. It spawned some wonderful knives. Unfortunately too many, maybe.

[Skywalker]

Best necro thread bump ever. It spawned some wonderful knives. Unfortunately too many, maybe.

Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened! or something like that. At least we have most of the PE VG-10 models in regular production still to keep some interest in the wharncliffes alive.

I'm smiling here with these: