I miss the light weight knives Spyderco used to make.

[kgriggs8]

It seems that every new Spyderco is getting heavier and heavier. What ever happened to the Delica 3 concept where the knife was strong but light as well?

I love the idea of the FFG Delica and Endura but I hear they are heavy. There are TONS of heavy knives to choose from but Spyderco used to have the market covered on light knives that were still very strong.

I would love a Delica 3 with a flat ground blade. Am I in the minority or do other people miss the less is more factor that Spyderco used to own? That is the reason I perfered Spyderco to all other brands. Any company can make a stong knife out of enough steel. Spyderco wasn't afraid to make a knife that could be broken in exchange for a knife that was a better cutter than 99% of knives out there.

I am not saying, I don't like the new knives, I do and I keep buying them. I just wish they would steer their way back to the idea of making the strongest AND lightest knives made. That is what the old Delica was in my opinion. It was a knife that anyone could carry anywhere yet they lasted forever and were used everyday. I can't tell you how many beat up old Delicas I saw in non-knife lovers pockets. It was one of the cross over knives that allowed non-knife nuts to carry a knife without any thought.

You can't carry a G-10 Endura in light shorts anymore without knowing it and having them sag down. I know lots of people who used to carry the all FRN Delica in swim trunks. That won't happen anymore.

I am just saying, Spyderco needs to offer a ultra light line of knives for the people who won't carry anything they have to prepare for. How about a FFG all FRN Delica 4? Also make it with a pointy blade like the D-3 and offer it in PE and SE.

[Mr.S]

I agree absolutly!!!
I own 17 Spydercos at the moment, most of them newer models. But whats in my pocket`? An old Delica I FRN, because it weights 50g (1.8oz), thats perfect for trouser of suits or in the summer time. A normal Delica IV "lightweight" weights over 70g!

And i never had any problems with my FRN Spydie without liner, it's absolutly strong enough.
One of the best Spydercos ever was the Delica III with VG-10.

At the moment, there's only the Salt as a real lightweight knife, but the steel is too special in my eyes. :rolleyes:

[araneae]

I agree, I have recently started carrying an old D1 and love how it just disappears in your pocket, but its tough enough for most any job when you need it. The Salts and the Centos are the only true lightweights in the lineup now. I would like to see a new lightweight from Spyderco.

[smcfalls13]

I must not be that sensitive to weight, because I can't feel the difference when they're clipped to my pocket. Only way I can tell is if I hold one in each hand, then I notice the difference.

[The Deacon]

The Delica III and Endura III live on as the Salt I and Pacific Salt. Between them, the Dragonfly, Native and Native III, 93mm and 79mm Rescue, and the Atlantic and Saver Salts, there seem to be a fair amount of unlined FRN models in the lineup. Add to that the black and burgundy versions of the ZDP Calypso Jr. and the Jess Horn Lightweight, all of which can be found easily and I think it's a bit premature to break out the crying towel and lament the demise of the lightweights.

Personally my current tastes run to models which were never available in lightweight models, so I guess it would not be a big deal for me if they all disappeared. Think the bottom line is, Spyderco builds what sells, or at least what they believe will sell.

As for your desire for a full flat ground Delica III, have you considered buying a Salt I and having Tom Krein put a full flat grind on it? Problem solved.

[spydutch]

Kriggs, Steffen and Nick I couldn't agree with you more.

As much as I like my near to perfect Delica 4/SE I always come back to my old trusty Delica 3/SE vertical play or not

The Delica 3/SE is the knife I have 3 NIB back ups of(one of them a blue ATS55 SE one :cool: )

But like Paul says, there are much light models to choose from at the moment so I don't see it happen that Spyderco will make another one in the near future.

And I would be happy to trade 75% of my Spydies for 3 full flat ground, play free Delica's 3/SE

[qwertyman]

This is why I don't buy many Spyderco's anymore. They're great knives - but for the $ and the weight, there are other "as-good" options. I recently purchased a Military (CPMS90V) with carbon fiber handles, and for the size of the knife, it's extremely light - but the D4's, E4's, etc are getting fat.

[kgriggs8]

I am not against the new stronger and heavier knives. They fill certain roles very well. I am just seeing a trend that I don't like. Maybe I am being paranoid but it seems like Spyderco is moving away from the ultra light EDC knife.

Thank God the Centofante 4 is not discontined yet. I only have one of them right now but I am planning on getting a back-up. At one point I had 4-5 of them. I liked them so much that I made gifts of them to family and friends. Now I wish I had kept an extra for myself. I didn't know that I would grow to love it so much.

I had a Vesuvius and didn't care for it because of the compression lock and the tip down carry. It made it slow to open and close and draw from the pocket. Also, everytime I put my hand in my pocket to get my keys or change, the thumb ramp would scratch me. In the winter when I had dry hands, it was worse. It is amazing what a few slight mods do for a knife. The Cent 4 with tip up carry and the Zip Tie mod has made this faster than any switchblade to open and the backlock closes faster than the compression in my hands.

I don't want Spyderco to do away with the new models and there are a bunch of them that I really like and I think overall, they are improving their knives. I just don't want them to forget one of the main things that made them special. As a matter of fact, I would like to see them offer a light weight line of knives for EDC. They can still be FRN but should be flat ground and small to medium sized. G-10 is great but dual SS liners seems like overkill on a Delica. The G-10 Delica looks great but why it needs that much steel is beyond me. At least make the liners Titanium or something.

[jaislandboy]

I am actually very "weight-conscientious" with regards to edc knives b/c of "office carry." Seems that the lighter the Clipit is the more pocket time it sees.
Some of my "lightweight" faves are (weight in ounces):
Progrip: 1.9
Salt, S : 2
UKPK: 2.4
Centofante3/4, Kopa: 2.5

I'm not big on sheepfoot blades but the new SaverSalts are 2.2 oz
The R2 w/its 3.5 inch blade weighs in at an amazing 3.2 oz

Yes, the relatively light weight of clipits for the size knife are one of the significant factors that converted me into a Spyderholic

[mongatu]

The lightweight aspect is essential to me. This is why I love FRN handled knives. I'm very happy with the Caly Jr. I recently acquired. FFG, ZDP (albeit laminated) and 1.9 oz. It is the perfect EDC for me and doesn't weigh down the pockets of the lightweight nylon shorts I usually wear around here in Hawaii. I love the way you can forget you are even carrying a lightweight knife like this.

I know they are still around, but I don't understand why Spyderco doesn't make this a regular model. My personal holy grail would be a version of the Caly Jr. made with a solid, non-laminated ZDP-189 blade, skeletonized liners and screw construction like the D4, (and if possible, 4 way clip), even though the D4 treatment would add a couple of grams to the weight.

[camvdcs]

I have a LOT of Spydies but the one in my pocket for the last 15 years is a Delica (probably 1st gen) with the formed clip on the handle. I rotate a PE and CE version. They don't tear up any pants (jeans or slacks). They are very lightweight and I don't feel that they are there but I know it's there when I need it. :)

[Shike]

I don't know but it seems to me that they still got the market covered with both light weights and heavy knives. Am I missing something here??? Where did all the FRN knives go? :D Should I panic :eek:

Shike

[Tank]

I must not be that sensitive to weight, because I can't feel the difference when they're clipped to my pocket. Only way I can tell is if I hold one in each hand, then I notice the difference.

I agree with Scott.
The only time I notice a difference is with swim shorts. But my staple EDC for that is always my Tasman SE which is lightweight enough for me.

[purple95]

My first Spyderco, an early Delica SE black TI model, was the knife that endeared me to the company and paved the way for many other purchases, mostly Delica's and a few Endura's.

Although I have two D4's and and E4, and they are great knives, I prefer the older, lighter, models.

I'm returning to my roots knife-wise after ten years or so of lugging around wonder steeled behemoths. A light weight Delica teamed with a SAK for EDC seem to be where I'm headed in the foreseeable future.

This is the third post I've made tonight in praise of the earlier Delica's. Hummmmmmmmm.....I see a pattern here.

Cheers,
dan :)

[MANIXWORLD]

the bottomline is that,the full FRN Delicas/3's,are very functionally designed knives,from the thin,superlite FRN handle,to the tip of the knife blade,the VG10 bladesteel,lockmechanism and least not forget the barrelbolt clip,its perfect for edc.with any clothes you wear and quite concealable,with how thin the knife is.
Now, what i would like to see,is a Delica3 VG10 blade with full G10 slabs and screw construction and maybe a barrelbolt clip?

[raven]

Hey All, I'm probably the "Odd Ball" here. I like the heavier spydies. The majority of my spydie collection are SS. I think it's more of a security thing for me :o . I just like the feel of a heavier knife in hand. I feel like I can do more with it without damaging it. Don't get me wrong, I know that Our Beloved Spyderco builds all of their knives SOLID.

Being an LEO ......my knives take some abuse while on duty :eek: :eek: . I used to be weight concious as well, but after wearing so much gear and when the adrenaline starts pumping .......weight doesn't really matter at that point. I guess in my head Heavier = Durable ... That's Just Me :o . Take Good Care All and Be Safe Always.

God Bless :)


-raven-

[The Deacon]

Now, what i would like to see,is a Delica3 VG10 blade with full G10 slabs and screw construction and maybe a barrelbolt clip?

Reality check time. On my scale an FRN Native in 440V weighs 76 grams and a BladeForums G-10 Native in 440V weighs 94 grams. Even allowing a gram or two for the blue paint on the BF Native's clip, thats a 20% increase for an unlined G-10 handle.

[zenheretic]

Pack around a stainless steel Police for awhile, suddenly your whole reality shifts regarding heavy folders.

[Michael Cook]

:spyder: I often carry a chinook in one pocket and a baby manix in the other so this thread cracks me up. Y'all need some stronger pants! :p :spyder:

[mrappraisit]

I like the medium weight knives, but sometimes I also appreciate the lightweight knives as well. My ZDP Calypso Jr, for example, if it had a better clip layout would get carried way more often, but when I do carry it I love the combination of very light weight and the sharpest knife I have ever held.
I guess I like it both ways :D