Kahr Delica, I don't get it

[jmh58]

I LIKE it!! Deciding between the blue or khaki!! John :)

[tvenuto]

When a PM2 exclusive is twice the price nobody bats an eye . I would guess volume (or lack of) is impacting msrp.

It's a cool knife. The should have done a 2.9" Yo2 regrind though. A 2.5" wharnie is pretty small and seldom legal when a 2.9/3" one isn't.

I wasn't able to immediately find it, but I remember reading that the idea behind this special run was a govt building with a blade limit of 2.5". I agree that it's cool, and I like the khaki color (even though I never wear khakis, and if I do I carry my Chap Ti). I also agree that volume is impacting MSRP, it's not all that more expensive and there are some nice finishing touches added to this one. However, due to the shorter blade and lack of jimping I'll pass. I just fondled my SB delica to make myself feel better about passing on this, I really love the delica design.

[jackknifeh]

Thanks exceptnl (and Remnar) for the pics. Personally, I do "get" this knife. I get it hard. That means I like (love) it. I don't know if I'll buy one. Haven't even seen price yet. But, based on how much I like it from a picture I would be willing to pay more than the regular Delica costs.

I've seen lots of comments on the value of blade/handle size ratio. The opinions seem to be that the more blade you can get into any given handle size the better. While I understand this and respect the designs that get more blade into a handle there are times when your knife NEEDS a big handle for a better grip and the blade NEEDS to be shorter based on the job. Consider installing sheetrock. Big, solid handle with a short blade is the preferred tool. Very thin blade also. If I ever break a blade off one of my knives my first option (before tossing it) would be to regrind the blade to create a new, usable blade shape.

Price aside, even though it's important, I really like that knife. It's an option to choose from when I would need a larger handle and shorter blade. Especially when blade length is a legal issue.

Jack

[jackknifeh]

Why isn't this Delica in Spyderco's on-line catalog? Is it the same reason the tan G-10, M4 Manix2 isn't there? Dealer or distributor exclusive? I thought those knives were now in the catalog. Was I wrong? If so, I wish every knife were listed there even though only one person or dist. bought the model.

Or did I miss something? :confused:

Jack

[nccole]

I own a CW 45 and just wanted a Kahr branded Spyderco. Haven't received it yet, maybe today when I get home. Not much more to it than that for me. Little expensive for something like that, but I grabbed a Khaki one. It may just stay in the case when I go shooting, and get used very little, but I bought it anyway. I think they should have done one with a little tool attachment like the Endura they did a while back for another gun company (cannot remember). The Tusk (another purchase with little justification) would be a great Kahr branded knife. It is perfect for takedown on all the Kahr's.

[The Deacon]

And doesnt make much sense to me either why theres no jimping on a knife like that.

Is it possible that the knife is intended for use with grips where the lack of jimping is not an issue?

Why isn't this Delica in Spyderco's on-line catalog? Is it the same reason the tan G-10, M4 Manix2 isn't there? Dealer or distributor exclusive? I thought those knives were now in the catalog. Was I wrong? If so, I wish every knife were listed there even though only one person or dist. bought the model.

Or did I miss something? :confused:

Jack

Doubt that you missed anything. The Kahr Delica is an Exclusive, and Exclusives have never been in the online catalog. There is a special page on the Spyderco website devoted to them, but it is separate from the catalog, has not been maintained for a couple years, doesn't show any specs aside from handle material, color, and steel, and except for the Carpenter, where only the first batch was an Exclusive for Carpenter employees, does not show MSRP.

[Evil D]

When a PM2 exclusive is twice the price nobody bats an eye . I would guess volume (or lack of) is impacting msrp.

It's a cool knife. The should have done a 2.9" Yo2 regrind though. A 2.5" wharnie is pretty small and seldom legal when a 2.9/3" one isn't.

Usually it comes with a steel upgrade though. If they nipped the tip of a Para 2 and wanted to charge $160 I'd laugh at that too.

[gbelleh]

I like it too. I've been carrying a PM9 for about the last 8 years, so I definitely plan to get one of these. Just cause it's neat, and I like it.

I believe the lack of jimping is part of the Janich self defense knife philosophy. He finds that jimping can tear up your hands during actual self defense use, and doesn't offer much extra traction anyway.

[jackknifeh]

I like it too. I've been carrying a PM9 for about the last 8 years, so I definitely plan to get one of these. Just cause it's neat, and I like it.

PM9???? Maybe your hands have dyslexia like mine. The same finger is used on both hands to type the 2 and the 9. Very often I type the wrong letter or number but the mistake is made by using the correct finger except it's on the wrong hand. I don't understand why I do that but it happens more often than I would expect. :confused:

Jack

[gbelleh]

Kahr PM9!

[xceptnl]

PM9???? Maybe your hands have dyslexia like mine. The same finger is used on both hands to type the 2 and the 9. Very often I type the wrong letter or number but the mistake is made by using the correct finger except it's on the wrong hand. I don't understand why I do that but it happens more often than I would expect. :confused:

Jack

I think this is what he was talking about Jack.

[jackknifeh]

I like it too. I've been carrying a PM9 for about the last 8 years, so I definitely plan to get one of these. Just cause it's neat, and I like it.

I believe the lack of jimping is part of the Janich self defense knife philosophy. He finds that jimping can tear up your hands during actual self defense use, and doesn't offer much extra traction anyway.

Kahr PM9!

I think this is what he was talking about Jack.

Oh. Nevermind. :o

What I meant to say was nice pistol. :)

Jack

[jmh58]

I LIKE it!! Deciding between the blue or khaki!! John :)

I caved!! :p Got the BLUE coming!!! John

[Blerv]

Usually it comes with a steel upgrade though. If they nipped the tip of a Para 2 and wanted to charge $160 I'd laugh at that too.

Yea but the S35vn and XHP exclusives were at least 30% more with virtually the same steel. I'm guessing it was the nature of the pricing and quantity vs the cost in grinding.

[xceptnl]

Yea but the S35vn and XHP exclusives were at least 30% more with virtually the same steel. I'm guessing it was the nature of the pricing and quantity vs the cost in grinding.

I suppose a licensing cost could be associated with the logo as well? I realize this was a partnered decision, but it's not to say that some of that cost doesn't go back to Kahr. I could be way off base though.

[Liquid Cobra]

I believe the lack of jimping is part of the Janich self defense knife philosophy. He finds that jimping can tear up your hands during actual self defense use, and doesn't offer much extra traction anyway.

This!

[DougC-3]

Thanks exceptnl (and Remnar) for the pics. Personally, I do "get" this knife. I get it hard. That means I like (love) it. I don't know if I'll buy one. Haven't even seen price yet. But, based on how much I like it from a picture I would be willing to pay more than the regular Delica costs.

I've seen lots of comments on the value of blade/handle size ratio. The opinions seem to be that the more blade you can get into any given handle size the better. While I understand this and respect the designs that get more blade into a handle there are times when your knife NEEDS a big handle for a better grip and the blade NEEDS to be shorter based on the job. Consider installing sheetrock. Big, solid handle with a short blade is the preferred tool. Very thin blade also. If I ever break a blade off one of my knives my first option (before tossing it) would be to regrind the blade to create a new, usable blade shape.

Price aside, even though it's important, I really like that knife. It's an option to choose from when I would need a larger handle and shorter blade. Especially when blade length is a legal issue.

Jack

Very tactfully said. I think this bears repeating a time or two to offset all the comments to the contrary :)

I usually just say something like, when I've needed a short blade for wood carving, etc, my hand has always remained the same size :D

About the Kahr Arms Delica, on the pro side:
I like the FRN colors, blade shape and finish, and handle to blade ratio which fills a short blade utility knife gap for me. I think it's a very cool looking little knife, substantial but superficially people friendly. I'd like to see it in a bigger size.

Con: I would like it better without the prominent Kahr logo. I'd like a choil and jimping on the thumb ramp. I've already got a, some would say, overpriced knife coming in the mail today and need to cool it for a while :eek:

[TomAiello]

I like it just because I EDC a Kahr in the warmer months. So I guess it's mostly a collector thing for me. Where I live the legality is a non-issue.

[twinboysdad]

what is not to get? 2.5" was the longest allowed for the project. I am not getting one because I live in a free state, but totally get and appreciate the concept. Wish the Jandura would make production as well.

[Surfingringo]

what is not to get? 2.5" was the longest allowed for the project. I am not getting one because I live in a free state, but totally get and appreciate the concept. Wish the Jandura would make production as well.

There are a plethora of awesome spyderco designs under 2.5 inches. I think thats the part that some don't get. Where is the value in this knife? You could buy something like a chaparral for the same price. Or if you had to have a delica format then buy one and spend 90 seconds with a grinder and you've got this knife. Spyderco will make me a delica...Mold the handles, grind and ht the blade, provide all the hardware and assemble it for $65. But if I want a bit of the blade ground off it's an extra $35?? Half again the cost of making the entire knife?? The only difference I see that could be the reason for the huge price markup is the logo/symbol...and like George Carlin used to say "I leave symbols to the symbol minded". :D . Hehehe. I miss Carlin!

In all seriousness though, I have no problem with the actual concept of the knife and I completely understand those of you who like the design and want to buy it. Enjoy! But I certainly understand the ones who are scratching their heads a bit on this one too. Meh, like I said in my first post...chocolate and vanilla.

Edit: before someone jumps in and corrects me, I realize the chaparral is just over 2.5 so that's probably not the best example. Dragonfly 2 would be another obvious choice though.