Delica Modification

[Cliff Stamp]

This is a ZDP-189 Delica which has been heavily used and sharpened and then zero-ground :



The one on bottom is just there for reference.

Recently after more use the edge was started to really climb above the choil area which makes it a bit difficult to get the edge fully sharp next to the choil. I intended to make a small sharpening notch but was playing around and did this instead :



I am not sure if I like how it looks. It does solve the sharpening issue. It does work as a index finger choil, but you need a small finger.

Here is a really heavily used/sharpened Persian :

[Seelow123]

Wouldn't the edge hit the inside of the lockbar when you close the knife since you ground the kick off?

[Cliff Stamp]

Interesting point, I never considered that because I didn't actually intend to do it. But no, the knife rocks a little when closed but the edge doesn't get impacted.

[Dodge]

I think it looks better that way. But I feel like the blade is hitting the inside of the handle because the kick is gone.

[Cliff Stamp]

It doesn't, I checked.

The choil extends beyond the part you can see in the above picture and that part hits the back spacer. It settles a bit deeper and is a bit loose, but the edge doesn't hit the handle in any area. It might on a new one, this one has had the blade width significantly reduced through use and sharpening.

[Dodge]

What's it like closed?

[ChapmanPreferred]

That's very interesting. I think the sharpening "notch" is a bit larger than I would prefer. I should however be much easier to sharpen the entire remaining edge. If noticed it at a show or online for sale I would probably bid on it anyway.

[tonydahose]

interesting....if it was an endura i would say make that notch big enough for a normal size finger choil, if it works for you who cares how it looks :)

[Cliff Stamp]

I think the sharpening "notch" is a bit larger than I would prefer.

Yes, as a sharpening notch it is a pretty large fail. It also has a pretty serious drawback in use because it was cut very rough and though it catches/snags easily. It doesn't need to do that of course, all you need to do is round it out fully on the inside.

What's it like closed?

I am not sure what you mean. The only effect is that since the choil was ground off the contact against the back spacer is a bit reduced and thus you can press on the blade and move it slightly into the handle.

interesting....if it was an endura i would say make that notch big enough for a normal size finger choil

Yeah, on an Endura that would work, on this one I would have to throw away 1/4" of the edge which I likely won't. However with use the edge will moveup into the primary and the choil will get larger so at some point in time it might naturally be large enough anyway.

[Dodge]

I was inquiring as to what is looks like closed. Is it like a normal Delica? Did the hole sink in at all?

[Cliff Stamp]

Is it like a normal Delica?

Yes, you can press it in maybe a 1/2 mm or so and rock it a little.