Delica or stretch

[MIKE ROBINSON]

HOW MUCH LARGER DOES THE STRECH FEEL THAN THE DELICA
BOTH IN THE HAND AND IN THE POCKEThttp://spyderco.com/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif

[Blerv]

It's a bit bigger in pocket but not as demanding as a manix2 or not nearly a large hawkbill. In hand it feels much bigger than it really is...it really sinks in.

Prob you can find comparison shots. I think The Deacon has a delica/endura/stretch pic inone of the threads and I would find it but on my phone.

[The Deacon]

Here's a shot of the Stretch with a Delica, Sage, and Caly 3. It's a bit bigger than the Delica in the pocket, but not really very much so, and that slightly longer (3/16") closed length buys you half an inch more blade. They feel differentl in the hand. The Delica's handle is relatively unstructured, while the Stretch's is more structured. Which is "better" is strictly a matter of personal taste.

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[Donut]

I think it is significantly larger, it is noticeable, but I think it is worth it. The Delica doesn't really fill your hand up while holding it. There is quite a bit more cutting power provided with the Stretch.

[npueppke]

The Stretch carries very well. Much better than a Sage or an Endura or a Manix... the Delica might carry a bit better, but they're very close.

Being under 3", I thought that I would have problems holding the Delica comfortably, but actually it is quite good. The Stretch has a longer handle, but the Delica 'guides' your fingers into a natural position better. Neither really outshines the other for me.

However, they both outshine the Endura. I would worry more about blade length and blade style than grip with the Stretch and Endura.

[THG]

The Delica is much slimmer, but the Stretch has smoother curves to it. It feels better in the pocket (doesn't scratch your hand or anything when you put your hand in your pocket) as well as in the hand. The Stretch is much more ergonomic.

They are both my favorite knives, though. I couldn't tell you which one I like more.

[ChapmanPreferred]

Stretch feels noticably larger in pocket and in hand to me.

[wingspar]

I’m new to good knives, and new to Spyderco. I just took possession of a Stretch a couple of days ago. I have never held any other Spyderco knife, so this is a one sided post. I was surprised when I clipped the knife to my pants pocket that I can not tell the knife is there unless I put my hand in my pocket. I don’t carry knives, but this thing has been clipped in my pants for two days now, only to be taken out to cut something, or admire it. Great knife. Check out my post on the Stretch with photos if you want. Seems to be a popular knife.

[VashHash]

I have a delica and i have a stretch the Stretch sees more pocket time than the delica so i say STRETCH

[HotSoup]

I vote Stretch.
The Delica is a great EDC knife, but the Stretch is perfect.
Better blade shape, better grind.

Stretch can also be used in a 'tactical' situation better than a Delica.
Hand will lock right into the handle, and the blade is longer, and slices better.

Spyderco really has made a perfect knife here.

[araneae]

Stretch feels noticeably larger in pocket and in hand to me.

I have a delica and i have a stretch the Stretch sees more pocket time than the delica so i say STRETCH

Ditto on both of these.

[Donut]

It is somewhat interesting that almost no one seems to take pictures of knives closed, but if you saw the stretch closed, you would see that it is quite a bit wider than the Delica. On the stretch, the bump out for the hole is pretty big and the knife at the bottom is pretty wide. I think that the Endura takes up less of my pocket space than the Stretch does because it is narrower and the bump out isn't as pronounced.

[thebestnoobcake]

If you can afford both, buy the Stretch!
The ergos are almost perfect and the flat grind is a great slicer and will hold up to the cutting chores that the majority of people would use a pocket knife for. eg. 300 pound moose thread =p

[The Deacon]

It is somewhat interesting that almost no one seems to take pictures of knives closed, but if you saw the stretch closed, you would see that it is quite a bit wider than the Delica. On the stretch, the bump out for the hole is pretty big and the knife at the bottom is pretty wide. I think that the Endura takes up less of my pocket space than the Stretch does because it is narrower and the bump out isn't as pronounced.

Ok, here's a couple shots of them closed. I'd say our idea of "quite a bit" is different. Perhaps the way I carry my knives is a factor, I've never found width to be an issue. The width at the butt end is the "price" of a structured handle, and is a price I'm willing to pay. The blade may be a bit wider, but that allows a larger Spyderhole placed at what for me is the optimal position for smooth opening. Those things, plus the 1/2" extra of blade, are what make me favor the Stretch.

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[Donut]

I agree that every bit of larger size of the Stretch is worth it. If I thought I needed more cutting power, I would always grab the Stretch. The only problem with that statement is that it isn't common for me to need more cutting power than the Delica offers. (And my Delica is SE, so it stands a little on that.)

As an all around knife, I say go with the Stretch, it does everything awesome. If you are aiming for a smaller knife that is more casual then maybe the Delica.

I agree that how you carry it will make a world of difference in your opinion of the knife.

Here are a few pictures I took.

Here's the clip end of both. This might be the part that seems to bother me, there is a good portion of the knife that pushes into the corner of your pocket when wearing dress pants.


Please note that this picture is probably misleading because you can see half of the Stretch behind the Delica because I am not shooting it horizontally. Deacon has a good head-on shot of this.


This one probably tells a little more.


This one shows the width of the handle, the Stretch is very slightly wider.


This one shows the ends of the knives even, and they look pretty similar here. The curves are slightly different.


Now, here is with the clips even, which shows how it would be in your pocket a little better. The stretch will hang down more and be wider longer.

[telemeister]

Well the pics in Donut's post show the difference in size. There is a bit of a difference, but it isn't massive. I think the Stretch is a much better knife though - better ergonomics, better grind, better blade shape etc.

[The Deacon]

Well the pics in Donut's post show the difference in size. There is a bit of a difference, but it isn't massive. I think the Stretch is a much better knife though - better ergonomics, better grind, better blade shape etc.

What most of them show, more than anything, are the effects of perspective.

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Yes, the Stretch, like the Endura, is a hair thicker than the Delica, by the half millimeter difference in the thickness of their blades.

Most people who carry their knives clipped seem more concerned with how much of a knife sticks out of their pocket that with the length of the portion inside the pocket. The exceptions to that would be knives with blades longer than 4" and knives they intend to carry in a watch pocket. Aside from those, I can't really see 3/16" (5mm) inside the pocket, one way or the other, being critical to many people.

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Again, I'll admit I may be mostly displaying my personal prejudices here. I make no bones about the fact I consider the Stretch the best knife Sal has ever designed and the best knife in Spyderco's current lineup.

[Chiba]

Hey Deacon,
is that a navy Stretch I see or an underexposed zdp blue?
if it is navy, where can I get one??

[Donut]

Your last picture is better than mine for showing that the Stretch can be awkward in certain pockets.

The Stretch is am amazing knife. I love it.

[yowzer]

I finally broke down and picked up a Stretch (FRN, ZDP-189)... I think it might possibly have knocked the Centofante 3 out of my #1 all-round favorite Spyderco spot.