Delica, saber ground rediscovered

[dbcad]

We're talking about about a stock VG-10 SG Delica4. I bought it about the time the D4 was first coming out and carried it for months before other models fueled my :spyder: addiction. I tried getting a nice low edge angle on it but failed initially to complete it due to my lack of skill and expertise.

Took it out again last week after quite a few months, was able to complete my reprofiling(not perfect, but it works :o ) and am simply loving this knife right now. It's not a dedicated slicer rather a wonderful all purpose knife that does everything well from opening mail to whittling wood. It has a nice solid, tough feel that's missing from the FFG version IMO.

With all of the popularity going to FFG nowadays I would strongly encourage folks to try the saber ground Delica work horse. It's affordable, tough, comfortable to use and ultimately a wonderful tool to have :D Having it very sharp is just icing on the cake :D There are very good reasons the Delica is still around and I love this D4 :)

[.357 mag]

Your right! I love my saber delica. I have the ZDP verison and I've thinned it down ( 9 degree back bevel) with a 15 degree micro bevel. I carry it more than any other knife I own.

[Diamondback]

Those saber ground Delicas and Enduras are real work-horses. Kept sharp they can handle any task you might throw at them...from slicing to heavy cutting. I frankly like them for general utility much more than the ffg versions. I tend to use my dedicated slicing knives in the kitchen, and for my purposes when cooking, practically speaking I'm not going to use a folding knife when I've got a nice, thin, sharp, kitchen fixed blade in front of me. YMMV. :spyder:

[dbcad]

It's such a good feeling having the edge grind for the most part evened out and a nice SM 30 deg micro bevel :) Sharp and tough is good :D

[Minibear453]

Here's the rule:
IF made by Spyderco,
THEN good knife. :D

[Jay_Ev]

If it's still available with a fully serrated edge, I just might need to pick one up.

[Evil D]

I'm still a saber grind fan for some knives. I just love how stout the tip is on this knife. I've even considered having my ZDP Delica FFG'ed, but without the distal taper so it keeps the thick tip. Aside from that, it helps if you make a really really low back bevel and then run your standard bevel/micro bevel at the edge. This will at least thin out the steel behind the edge a bit and make it a better slicer and still give you a strong utility tip.

[SolidState]

I've even considered having my ZDP Delica FFG'ed, but without the distal taper so it keeps the thick tip.

That's a HFG-high flat grind. I prefer high flat grinds to full flats too. I just picked up a delica FFG orange and black (for my PhD graduation present to myself) and found the blade to be just too thin at the tip for me to trust.

I almost got a saber ZDP delica for $49 on the bay to do a blade swap, but someone paid $50 and got it before I could re-bid. I agree, the sabers are awesome, especially with the thinner blade stock. My FFG endura was plenty thick, but the delica is laser thin.

[flash900]

The saber Delica was one of my first Spydies and still one of my favorite.

I'd love to have a saber with a G10 handle, Sal.

[JNewell]

I remain a fan of the saber grind. The best of the bunch IMHO were the solid ZDP versions.

[Jazz]

I'll say it again - if they raised the grind up a bit, it'd be the best of both worlds, just like it used to be. I like FFG, but only on a bit thicker blades. Not a fan of the FFG Delica. Shame, because of the nice colors.

- best wishes, Jazz.

[liltemp1]

Yea, I agree with the reprofiling. I reprofiled my zdp D4. :) Great cutter...

[Llano Jim]

This is one of my favorites. I just gave one to a friend who had done me a favor. This new one came in as sharp as my original did a couple years ago. We used it to field dress a wild pig and with just a few sharpmaker swipes and a little Frog Lube, it was sharp as new.

Jim

[Slash]

I remain a fan of the saber grind. The best of the bunch IMHO were the solid ZDP versions.

ZDP version best? maybe only if you stay away from cardboard. the one I had occured micro-chipping just from several passes. sold that one quick. wont buy another. not sure what you're use to cutting. but, cardboard is everywhere.

[dbcad]

I'm enjoying the VG-10. Easy to sharpen, takes a wicked edge, and I don't worry about corrosion. ZDP has it's place for me, but for this model I think VG-10 works best :)

[elena86]

I'll say it again - if they raised the grind up a bit, it'd be the best of both worlds, just like it used to be. I like FFG, but only on a bit thicker blades. Not a fan of the FFG Delica. Shame, because of the nice colors.

- best wishes, Jazz.

Amen to that ! Anyway Delica in saber ground is more reliable than in FFG.
I think Delica 3 had a higher grind so they should redesign it.It would be great !
The same for Endura.Both great worhorses.And I also prefer VG10.Is the best steel for EDC.Better than ZDP189.

[Zendemic]

The D4 SG was my second Spyderco, and I absolutely love the thing. I haven't carried it for a vert long time because the darn pivot won't stay tight (even after a trip to golden ). None the less I think it's one of the best knives for EDC.

[JNewell]

ZDP version best? maybe only if you stay away from cardboard. the one I had occured micro-chipping just from several passes. sold that one quick. wont buy another. not sure what you're use to cutting. but, cardboard is everywhere.

Maybe in your world. Cardboard may be everywhere, but it is one of few things I almost never need to cut.

[glbpro]

Just got my first Delica, one of the standard Saber ground D4s, and I too love the feel of this knife with this grind. On the Endura (my very first Spyderco was an Endura 4) the Saber grind results in a relatively massive blade which seems to dominate the feel of the knife but with the Delica it seems just right. It also allows easier one-handed closing :)

Love live the originals, thank you Sal and company!

[elena86]

This thread reminded me that my saber Delica4 in VG10 is an all time favorite of mine.It's a great allarounder.Thank you Sal and please do not discontinue saber Delicas and Enduras.