Future of the linerless lightweights

[Benson]

I admit it.

My last Delica (not my last Spyderco) was one with the molded pocket clip (G2 steel?). With the exception of an ever so slightly bent tip it's still in great shape although I don't carry it anymore.

But I've got a green fully serrated one on the way to correct that lapse :D

A little over a year ago, I guess, I tried a Salt 1 as part of a passaround. Fell in love with it.

So I've got a yellow serrated Salt 1 on the way too :D

I'll reserve judgement until after I get it, but I do love the LIGHTweight old Delicas and Salts. Liners for all their other benefits do add weight. Perhaps the material demands of the Salt series will keep them linerless, I don't know.

My uneducated guess is that few users would ever find a linerless Delica too flimsy for their daily use. It would be nice if there were always something around the FRN Delica "platform" that was as lightweight as possible.

[dedguy]

It seems to me for the vast majority of users any G-10 or CF knives are plenty strong enough linerless. It just seems there's been a recent increaing trend in linered knives. I think because to most people liners=quality which isn't necessarily true.

[The Deacon]

Within reason, weight is not a major consideration for me. My most frequent EDC at this time is a C83 Schempp Persian, not exactly a featherweight. On the other hand, I don't consider lack of liners, or riveted pivots, to be bad things. My favorite lightweight FRN knives are the C52 Calypso Jr. and the C41 Native, and would really not want to see either of them changed to "Delica 4" style construction.

[Firefighter880]

I opted for the "only marginally" choice, because for the most part, weight doesn't really matter to me. My Manix is usually half of my EDC. However, there are those times that weight is an issue, like if I'm wearing scrubs or sweatpants. So I guess weight plays a role sometimes.

[Darkfin]

Some knives are just too heavy for summer suit pants or pull-on shorts.

[street soldier]

I selected only marginally. I don't really worry about the weight of a knife. I'm not one to haul around a huge EDC blade that make people run in fear. I prefer my knives to be smaller, yet still rugged. While a Delica would serve my purposes just fine, at times I want a little more, I guess 'substance'. At times like that, I reach for my Military, or my soon to arrive Para.

I think that the liners in certain knives add to their ruggedness, in regards to the abuse a knife would take. I think that you can abuse a knife with a liner more than one without. I know you are not supposed to pry with your knife, but there are times when that is the only tool you have. At those times, I would feel more comfortable with a knife that is a little heavier and sturdier.

:spyder:

[Stenny]

Definitely. I like knives with about 4" of blade and after hauling around CRKT Hammond Cruiser, I know what I don't like to EDC - thick, heavy, massive folders. So, despite my love for Manix and Chinook, I won't buy them, because I wouldn't carry them.

[bh49]

I choose the last option because my favorite EDC is full size Persian. I carry it even in my sport short in my gym, and I never felt that it is too heavy.
I have some lightweight EDCs as well.

[Th232]

Weight isn't an issue for me, it's more a question of bulk (all within reason, of course). For me, as long as the knife is already built well, liners aren't so much of an issue.

[John G.]

I thought the liner's added a lot to the Delica. It made it feel much higher quality and it improved the balance a noticeable amount.

On the other hand, I find the SS D4 is too heavy. Great in my hand - but too heavy in my pocket. Clipped it's fine, but I like to carry 3" folders loose in my front pocket. The SS weighs enough to flop back and forth and bang into my leg annoyingly when I walk It's not TOO annoying though - I still carry it quite a bit because it's so slim

I also "almost" won't buy a knife without screwed construction & an adjustable pivot (SS Delica is my only one). I personally feel the liners are required to do a "high quality" screwed together knife - since otherwise I'd be worried the screws would strip out too easily.

[WOTANSON1]

If it ain't on or about, or more importantly less than 4oz. a knife doesn't get much if any pocket time with me. I know steroidal folders are all the rage now a days. I just don't get it, life in the suburbs isn't that demanding.
Cheers,
Rob

[enduraguy]

Definitely a consideration for me. I was excited to see the "improved/upgraded" Delica/Endura 4s come out. Then I bought the E4 waved, and after owning it for a couple weeks, was reminded of why I fell in love with Spydercos in the first place way back in high school. LIGHTWEIGHT! I quickly sold the E4. I didnt like the added weight from the 'better' steel linered handles. I prefer the simplicity of a one piece, lightweight durable handle material like on the E3 series. When I heard about the "Salt" models, I was intrigued from day one. Did lots of reading about this H-1 steel, and came to the conclusion that I needed to check one out. I'm now the proud owner of a PE Pacific Salt. Which in my opinion is the best of all Spyderco has to offer. The classic Endura frame that I love with an upgraded TITANIUM clip that can be adjusted with a coin...no screws to tinker with/lose, and a RUST PROOF blade. What more could a guy who's had real world field experience in the crazy climates I've been in want? :D :cool: :spyder:

[enduraguy]

[quote="WOTANSON1"]If it ain't on or about, or more importantly less than 4oz. a knife doesn't get much if any pocket time with me. I know steroidal folders are all the rage now a days. I just don't get it, life in the suburbs isn't that demanding. ]

LOL, I whole-heartedly agree man. Reminds me of a bumper sticker that made me laugh "God invented SUVs so yuppies could go 4-wheeling"

[Tonie Nichols]

I started in 1997 with the integral clip FRN Endura and feel that the lightweight FRN folder is just as valid now as it was then. Because my plant doesn't allow any blades over 3" in length I still carry a Dellica and a Merlin virtually everyday.

I wonder if the sales figures bear out the viability of the linerless FRN's?

It's not that I would prefer my Endura over my Chinook 3, but given the cost of the liner style folders, I can't help but believe that the FRN's fill a valuable introductory niche for the beginner and give great cutting performance at good value for the experienced user. I carry my Chinook for defensive purposes so I like to have a second utility blade.

[mr.vu]

Did someone say Serrated Foliage Green Delica and Serrated Yellow Salt I? :D Just bought them the past week.



For an EDC, as long as it is not overy heavy. I like both liner and linerless.

Vu

[dialex]

While I can understand the advantages of a hefty knife, when it comes to FRN spydies, steel liners seem an unnecessary compromise. My trusty EDC was for a couple years an unlinered FRN Delica, and the handles are still in better shape than the blade :rolleyes:
I heard stories of 3 mm thick blades broken in those FRN handles, so I'd say FRN is strong enough for the average user.
I would have liked to see the new Delica coming with a screw construction, but without the liners. IMHO, there was no need for steel liners to hold the pocket clip, as Spyderco could use the same elegant solution like they did at the Caly jr., not to mention the alternative of a wireclip (wireclips and FRN seem a winning combination from the very start).
Unfortunately, the market demands liners... (and girls with round butts, that's why Chad made the Lava) :rolleyes: