Hello all, I'm new to the forums here, and relatively new to Spyderco as well. I'm in the market for a new EDC, and I've narrowed it down to these two, so I decided the best way to decide is to ask for advice from the Spyderco community!
Basically, I'm looking for a fully serrated knife to assist in tasks such as cutting cardboard, rope, carpet, etc., as those make up the majority of my edc tasks. Beyond that I usually just use them for opening mail or packages. I generally like my knives to have decent corrosion resistance, as I work at a small airport and come into contact with not only rain and snow, but avgas, jet fuel, and propylene glycol as well. I know H-1 is pretty much rust-proof, but I've heard great things about the rust-resistance of Spyderco's VG-10. Does anyone have experience with the edge holding ability of [the serrated versions of] both of these steels under hard use? Beyond that, I suppose it boils down to the blade shape. I've always liked drop-point blades, but I don't have a whole lot of experience with hawkbill blades. I know they're supposed to be good for cutting rope, but how well do they perform other tasks? Another thing I should note is that I do have another Spyderco knife with the same type of clip as the Tasman, and I honestly don't care for it. I feel like it sits funny in my pocket. How's the clip on the Delica?
Any other thoughts on the matter, or things I should know about one knife or the other?
Any help/input is appreciated. Thanks!
-Armi-
Delica 4 or Tasman Salt?
Hello Armithius, and welcome to the forum!
I believe that a serrated Delica would make an all-around better EDC than the Tasman. Don't get me wrong, a hawkbill excels at many tasks, but if I had to choose just one to throw in my pocket, it would be the Delica every time. VG-10 has great corrosion resistance. I EDC VG-10 to work everyday in a pretty caustic environment, and I have seen only minimal surface rust that can easily be taken off the blade. If VG-10 is properly oiled and cared for, corrosion probably won't be an issue.
Although H1 is "work hardened" (meaning the edge holding ability increases by use), it just doesn't compare to VG-10 for edge toughness, especially if you use your knife a lot. Can you tell I'm a VG-10 fan boy yet? :p
I can't give much advice on clips anymore, I've sprung so many over the years that I just go ahead and take them off my spydies. The D4 clip does seem to be a little tougher than the old gen Tasman style though.
Don't worry too much about which knife to buy, if you stick around here long enough you'll buy and carry them both before you know it!
I believe that a serrated Delica would make an all-around better EDC than the Tasman. Don't get me wrong, a hawkbill excels at many tasks, but if I had to choose just one to throw in my pocket, it would be the Delica every time. VG-10 has great corrosion resistance. I EDC VG-10 to work everyday in a pretty caustic environment, and I have seen only minimal surface rust that can easily be taken off the blade. If VG-10 is properly oiled and cared for, corrosion probably won't be an issue.
Although H1 is "work hardened" (meaning the edge holding ability increases by use), it just doesn't compare to VG-10 for edge toughness, especially if you use your knife a lot. Can you tell I'm a VG-10 fan boy yet? :p
I can't give much advice on clips anymore, I've sprung so many over the years that I just go ahead and take them off my spydies. The D4 clip does seem to be a little tougher than the old gen Tasman style though.
Don't worry too much about which knife to buy, if you stick around here long enough you'll buy and carry them both before you know it!
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TheMelonPopper
- Member
- Posts: 60
- Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2011 7:53 pm
- Location: SE Minnesota
Welcome, I hope you enjoy your time here.
Since you're looking for a SE knife, I heartily recommend an H-1 blade but in a more traditional blade shape. I love the hawkbills, but I like less specialized blade shape for general use.
And in addition, a less well known fact about SE H-1 blade is how long it keeps on cutting. A while back, Sal wrote that SE H-1 was the best performing (number of cuts) steel ever tested at Spyderco. Considering the history of exotic steels in the Spyderco line up, that's an impressive performance.
Since you're looking for a SE knife, I heartily recommend an H-1 blade but in a more traditional blade shape. I love the hawkbills, but I like less specialized blade shape for general use.
And in addition, a less well known fact about SE H-1 blade is how long it keeps on cutting. A while back, Sal wrote that SE H-1 was the best performing (number of cuts) steel ever tested at Spyderco. Considering the history of exotic steels in the Spyderco line up, that's an impressive performance.
Dan (dsmegst)
:spyder:
Latest 10: Techno, Centofante Memory, Bradley Air, Tuff, M390 Blue Para 2 (2), Yojimbo 2, Des Horn, DiAlex Junior, Native 5, Chaparral
:spyder:
:spyder:
Latest 10: Techno, Centofante Memory, Bradley Air, Tuff, M390 Blue Para 2 (2), Yojimbo 2, Des Horn, DiAlex Junior, Native 5, Chaparral
:spyder:
A Tasman for tough work use is hard to beat. H1 in SE holds an edge a long time and is rust proof vs rust resistant.
A serrated hawkbill is the king of pull cutting. A drop point is less limited by overall tasks but for pure seperation power it wont keep up. The assist type blade is a contender tho.
Maybe consider a Harpy?
A serrated hawkbill is the king of pull cutting. A drop point is less limited by overall tasks but for pure seperation power it wont keep up. The assist type blade is a contender tho.
Maybe consider a Harpy?
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razorsharp
- Member
- Posts: 3069
- Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2011 9:41 pm
- Location: New Zealand
I have both and use both on a pretty constant basis. My D4 is a PE and my Tasman is a SE. I've used the Tasman a little more often than my D4 however both find their way into my pocket in preparation for the workday. If something needs a lot of cutting (such as breaking down 3-layered cardboard) I break out the Tasman. If it is a plain ol' task, I use the Delica. Haven't really had an issue with the clip on the Tasman to tell you the truth but YMMV. I have found both to be spectacular in design with the only exception is that I hope the Spydercrew comes out with a Tasman that has some type of liner in it as I think that would help with strenuous tasks.
My :spyder:'s- CE FRN Endura 4, PE Tasman Salt, SE Tasman Salt, PE Ambitious, PE Grasshopper, PE FRN Delica 4, PE Squeak, Bob T SLIPIT, Lum Chinese GF Nishijin, Endura 4 Trainer, Native SE Lightweight, Delica 4 Trainer, Poliwog, UKPK PESF Maroon FRN.
Wishlist: Matriarch2, Manix2, Pacific Salt Black, Spyderhawk, Manbug, Chaparral, Yojimbo2, Kiwi Stag, Native 5, Starmate (either an original or a newly released one-whenever it comes out).
Wishlist: Matriarch2, Manix2, Pacific Salt Black, Spyderhawk, Manbug, Chaparral, Yojimbo2, Kiwi Stag, Native 5, Starmate (either an original or a newly released one-whenever it comes out).