High Performance Delica Excitement

[Evil D]

I’m a big Delica fan and I’m good with FFG, don’t get the excitement over concave and convex????

Not much interested in purchasing more equipment to keep these sharp?

Other than a small few, I don’t see the general public much interested.

Delica Wharncliffe in upgraded steel is likely best performance Delica and those aren’t around anymore.

Really not making much sense to me, really.

CG

My understanding is this one really isn't for the general public, or no more so than the Mule program is.

[sal]

Hi David,

That's how I'm looking at it. We'll do a short run, a little more than Mules, to learn.

sal

[p_atrick]

How helpful would it be if people agreed to test the new HP versions in a similar manner? I mean, I'm a keyboard jockey. My day to day use won't be the same as many here. Just wondering if running similar (but contrived) tests would be useful in addition to day-to-day carry.

[sal]

How helpful would it be if people agreed to test the new HP versions in a similar manner? I mean, I'm a keyboard jockey. My day to day use won't be the same as many here. Just wondering if running similar (but contrived) tests would be useful in addition to day-to-day carry.

Hi Patrck,

I agree that a planned test would probably be beneficial. Something doable.

sal

[awa54]

Hi Cycle Guy,

I would like to know which style of grinds really perform better. So I'll make a few more so I can get more opinions from folks actually using and testing the results of my experiment. We may learn there is no difference? But we'll be able to have more personal experience in learning, than just listening to the "experts".

sal

Good to see you in this thread again Sir!!

My personal opinion on the question of "best" cutting performance is that while there may be a scientific definition of such, the user experience will be different for many, or even most of us.
What are we cutting? what kind of cuts are we making? do we use a knife for one task exclusively, or literally *every* cutting task? What does an end user value most; fine edge, aggressiveness, edge retention?
How does the individual feel about sharpening frequency, or difficulty?

All that said, I always enjoy getting a new tool and discovering its strengths and weaknesses ...after all if I couldn't try something with that particular combination of attributes, how would I know if it might be my new favorite?

In short, I'm still looking forward to the HPD!

[OV1kenobi]

Keeping my fingers crossed that enough of the hollow ground and/or appleseed variants will be produced to actually be able to buy one or both.

[Wartstein]

Keeping my fingers crossed that enough of the hollow ground and/or appleseed variants will be produced to actually be able to buy one or both.

Agreed.

I think it was discussed earlier in this thread already (not sure though and don't feel like scrolling through it right now):
With this particular knife it would really be a shame if not all who really want to try and use a HPD could actually get one - but instead miss our and on the other hand a lot of these could end up as some never used "collector" pieces.

[sal]

Hi Gernot,

Of all of the things that make a knife, it's use determines its function. And that's the purpose of the test(s). I would hope they would all be used?

sal

[Wartstein]

Hi Gernot,

Of all of the things that make a knife, it's use determines its function. And that's the purpose of the test(s). I would hope they would all be used?

sal

I would hope so too of course -or, to put it differently, that particularly with THIS knife at best only people who really plan on using and testing it will get one, IF only few will be made.

But in reality it is what it is: Some folks just like to "only" collect Spydies, and ESPECIALLY when they are rare ones never really use them.
Generally fine with me, to each their own, and with more high volume models only good for Spyderco if they can sell more knives.

But should the HPD only come in one, small batch: I have a feeling that many of those available will end up in the hands of people who are not willing and ready to really or not at all using and testing them...

[sal]

I'd like to do enough of each in at least one run. Though there is no reason not to make more if the demand is there. It's not designed to be a collector piece. I want more than just lab tests.

sal

[Wartstein]

I'd like to do enough of each in at least one run. Though there is no reason not to make more if the demand is there. It's not designed to be a collector piece. I want more than just lab tests.

sal

Thanks, that's really good to hear!

I am not one of the sharpening gurus (meant with utter respect!) here, but i do use and test all my Spydies in the "real world" without ever babying a single one and am really looking forward to doing just that with both versions of the HPD.

[ZrowsN1s]

My immediate test will be breaking down cardboard. I have two thicknesses I encounter monthly here at the house. Normal, and this quadruple thick very hard to cut stuff. It seperates sharp from 'real sharp' quick. The ease at which some of my knives cut these materials is noticeable to me, and I'd like to see how this Delica will stack up. The current champ is my 10DPS K390 Wharncliffe Endura. When freshly stropped it cuts through it like butter. I don't think I have any 'stock' Delicas to test against, they're all reprofiled.

I think the anecdotal cardboard cutting that relies on my experience is going to tell me more than a standard 'BESS' test. As that will only test the edge. An 'edge on up' Lab test with slicing might tell more. Maybe Deadboxhero can do some testing if he's willing and still got his tester. I'm sure one of us can get a knife to him.

I'm going to test out of the box sharpness, then reprofiled sharpness. Probably 15-13dps to start.

[Evil D]

I'll commit to buying and actually using/testing these, just as I do with every Mule I buy.

When this actually happens we can all discuss what some common tests might be that we can all do at home that won't require special tools or whatever. We should be able to really make this a fair and consistent comparison where two people don't get different results just because they're cutting different materials.

[Wartstein]

When this actually happens we can all discuss what some common tests might be that we can all do at home that won't require special tools or whatever. We should be able to really make this a fair and consistent comparison where two people don't get different results just because they're cutting different materials.

This would be great and of much value and I´d be in with both types of the HPD!!

[hobbyist]

Hi Cycle Guy,

I would like to know which style of grinds really perform better. So I'll make a few more so I can get more opinions from folks actually using and testing the results of my experiment. We may learn there is no difference? But we'll be able to have more personal experience in learning, than just listening to the "experts".

sal

Along these lines Sal, and I don’t know if I am over thinking it, but it might be useful if the two HPD grinds each had a different color scale so they’re easier not to confuse with each other.

[Mushroom]

I'm definitely buying both versions so I can add to my collection.

Does that disqualify me from using them? Are collectors not allowed to use their knives?

Knife collectors are users too!

[Wartstein]

I'm definitely buying both versions so I can add to my collection.

Does that disqualify me from using them? Are collectors not allowed to use their knives?

Knife collectors are users too!

Should this happen to be a reaction (also) to my post (I honestly don´t know!), just for clarification:

I was clearly and specifically referring ( viewtopic.php?p=1815823#p1815823) to the particular niche of collectors who DON`T use such rare knives.

I do think (only) in the very particular case of the HPD and if there´d only be a small number available it would be a bit of a shame if a majority of that models would end up in the hands of folks who do not test and use them (also since this is the intention of Sal for the HPDs)

Otherwise: Completely on your line!
I think all of my friends in my "real life" would see me as a crazy collector of Spydies, regardless if I use them (which is the case with me) or not.

(And, again: I am also perfectly fine with folks who happen to "just" collect models without using them.
Just with the HPD it would be sad if those willing to really test it would miss out).

[p_atrick]

One thing that may dissuade some collectors from getting this knife is that it uses that horrible, awful VG-10. I'm being facetious, of course. But many will be put off by that steel. Personally, I am looking forward to the hollow-ground Delica more than any other knife; it's about the grind, not the steel.

[OV1kenobi]

The more I think about it the more I have a sinking feeling that these knives will mostly be safe queens never to be used; especially if there is only the certainty of a limited run with no promise of subsequent runs. Those that will be available will be directly from Spyderco (very briefly) and perhaps from those few dealers with a large online presence. They will probably never make it to the local “mom and pop” dealer unless those models prove to be very popular and subsequent runs are made.

I will be honest up front and say that if I were able to acquire one or the other or both I would probably set them aside just to wait and see if more will be available in the future.If not, they will remain in the safe.

I will give an example:

Early in 2024 I was in the process of purchasing an Endura 4 for myself and a Delica 4 for my grandson at a local dealer. While in the process of paying the dealer’s son mentioned that he had another N.I.B. Spyderco back in the office. I really liked that knife and bought it for $118 USD tax included. It turned out to be a Sprint Run Stretch 2 in V-toku2/SUS410 from five years earlier.

As much as I like that knife I will never use it because I will NEVER be able to find another one for that price again. Because I do like that knife I will buy the regular VG-10 version sometime in the near future.

Just my take on what is probably going to happen with these knives for the most part for the foreseeable future. Nice to have, but I would be reluctant to use it/them.

But, that’s just me.

[cabfrank]

I can understand that, but I'd HAVE to cut something with the high hollow grind, at least.