Spyderco Delica 4 for Duty Use?

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Nephron44

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Hey everyone!

I'm looking at the Delica 4 as a new duty and home carry knife. I know a lot of people carry this knife, so I have a few questions for all of you.

How does it hold up to hard use?

How is the lock up?

How is Spyderco's warranty?

Any info will GREATLY help out! Thanks!
 
My first Answer would be yes, but you would have to define hard use. The combination of FRN handle and steel liners sometimes have some flex when lateral forces are applied( think prying)
Lock up is solid with the back lock
I have had good experience with Spydercos warranty.
 
I don't know what "duty" use is.

And while we're at it, how about some examples of what you consider "hard use" too.

The saber grind Delica is going to have a slightly stronger tip. The full flat ground version will be a slightly better slicer.

Not to muddy the water - but have you considered the Native 5 lightweight? I prefer the finger choil but that's a personal preference.

If you're really going to use it "hard" you might consider a Benchmade Mini Griptilian. Benchmade will replace blades. Spyderco does not. Although you could almost get a new Delica for cost of a new Mini Grip blade.
 
The Delica is up to most reasonable tasks, but do not use it as a pry bar. It is a pocket knife or EDC knife. It cuts better than most knives, is light weight, slim, and the lock is good and strong.
If you want a 3" bladed beater knife get a Cold Steel Mini Recon 1. You can't tear these things up, I do not think. But it does not cut some things as well as the Delica due to the blade grind (not to say it does not cut well, but a full flat grind Spyderco can't be beat in that category) .
 
I used a Delica ZDP Sabre grind combo edge as a ranch & yard work beater knife (no prying) for years without an issue. I fully expected to experience considerable chipping of the edge but it was nominal and mostly occurred when cutting weed barrier fabric laid out on rocky soil. It eventually got worn down to where there is little serration left but lockup is still good.
 
The Delica is a fine knife, but its not a "hard use" knife as far as I am concerned. It is a great slicer with an easy to use and reliable lock. If "duty use" means law enforcement carry I would go something bigger.

I carry a Benchmade 810 Contego on duty. Its a big and strong knife suitable for duty.

If you like the Spyderco then I would recommend the Police (duh) or step up to the Endura. I really prefer a 4" knife for duty use.
 
I have had many Delicas at this point and I think they are a great EDC knife. Duty knife? It would be great for almost everything but self defense as a duty knife in my opinion. I prefer a larger blade for that so I would step up to the endura if that's your main concern in regards to a duty knife. Not that you couldn't use it in a self defense situation but it would not be my preference. It's light weight thin, easy to carry, tough as nails, and one hand operational yes even as a lock back it can be closed one handed. Just be careful I wouldn't recommend that as a standard practice.

1. Hard use? I have only ever owned the the VG-10 but from my experience it is a relatively tough steel. Regardless of what graphs show its just my experience. It also withstands the elements well and sharpens quite easily. The handle is FRN and this is not my preference and and it also turns many people off but I have never broken or seen a broken FRN handle personally but I'm sure it happens. So yes it's a tough knife by my standards.

2. Lockup? Lock up is solid in my experience with the Delica. Most back locks are. Tri-ad tough I've never broken either but by all accounts nobody beats our cold steel in this realm but I do prefer spyderco.

3. Warranty? I've had to send back maybe 1 or 2 spyderco's and I've had no complaints. They are a great company and have great deals for those who serve through their ops focus program. Great people from top to bottom in my dealings. I have heard they don't like their knives tampered with by anyone but them and that can possibly void a warranty but I haven't had any issues there.

Hope this helps.
 
How about the PM2? It's a bit pricier but sturdier and more suitable for hard use. Although it depends on what you mean by hard use, prying with the tip is not going to work well neither with the Delica or the PM2.
 
I believe that knife will serve you well as a very good cutting tool. I too am wondering what "hard use" means.
I have had a delica for 10+ years and cannot imagine it "failing".
Buy a delica and also get one of those mini pry bars for your keychain.
 
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Carried an older combo-edge Delica for a while when I was in the Army. Worked just fine as a knife.
 
The Delica4 FFG is one of my favorite overall EDC knives. The knife itself is sturdy, but, as others have mentioned, its lightweight FRN handles will flex a bit. The steel itself (VG-10 on standard model) holds up very well (sharpens great, and good edge retention). Lockup is solid for reasonable applications for a folding knife, and I like the feel of Spyderco's back locks better than any others. They've got it dialed in well. Spyderco's customer service is good as well. Their coverage is a bit different from some other manufacturers, but in my one dealing with them, I felt they genuinely wanted to help (and they did).
 
As mentioned if you mean duty knife as in LE I would go with at least an Endura. I carried a fully serrated Endura or a ZT 0560 or a BM Contego. I usually carried two blades though
 
Nephron44 said:
Hey everyone!

I'm looking at the Delica 4 as a new duty and home carry knife. I know a lot of people carry this knife, so I have a few questions for all of you.

How does it hold up to hard use?

How is the lock up?

How is Spyderco's warranty?

Any info will GREATLY help out! Thanks!
Click to expand...

You got two threads asking about knives on here! This one and another about the buck vantage.
 
What kind of "duty" are we talking about?

A Delica is a superb general purpose everyday knife. It's strong, made of excellent VG10 steel that takes a screaming sharp edge and is pretty easy to keep sharp or bring back from dull. It will work great as a knife, not so great as a pry bar or screwdriver--no knife really does those jobs well anyway. Get a Leatherman if you need that kind of tool.

But, again, it depends on what type of jobs you're involved in. For instance, if you work in emergency rescue duties, you probably would be better served with a knife designed for cutting people out of seatbelts and breaking auto glass. For that, the Spyderco Assist would be better.
 
Smooth_Operater said:
You got two threads asking about knives on here! This one and another about the buck vantage.
Click to expand...

You posted this similar observation on another post of mine. Like I said on the other one, I'm sorry I don't get on here much to reply due to crazy work hours. I like to make informed purchases; There are no rules about number of posts. If there is, please show me. Isn't this website built for people to post about, ask questions about, and discuss knives? If you don't like my posts, please don't read them.
 
I tried the Delica with FRN to replace my G-10 Endura as a work knife - remodeling work and the like - but decided against it because it was too flimsy compared to the Endura. Both great knives but for a work knife I would step up from the delicate Delica to the endurance of the Endura. Just my experience for what it's worth.

I've never tried an Endura with FRN. It might just be the G-10 or the stainless version of the Endura that feel more rugged than the Delica FRN. Can anyone comment on this?
 
RayseM said:
I tried the Delica with FRN to replace my G-10 Endura as a work knife - remodeling work and the like - but decided against it because it was too flimsy compared to the Endura. Both great knives but for a work knife I would step up from the delicate Delica to the endurance of the Endura. Just my experience for what it's worth.

I've never tried an Endura with FRN. It might just be the G-10 or the stainless version of the Endura that feel more rugged than the Delica FRN. Can anyone comment on this?
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That makes sense about the G10. I never noticed that about the names before...think they are named as such due to what you mentioned? Delica=delicate and endura=endurance
 
If by "duty use" you mean opening MREs, then yes, it can hold up to duty use.

Joking aside, yes, it's a very nice knife that can stand harder use. Lockbacks can develop a little bit of up and down bladeplay, but also have long lifespans. VG-10 is very corrosion resistant and easy to sharpen. The FRN texture is very grippy, and the knife can easily be opened and closed one handed.

If you're looking for something to carry for "duty use", you'd probably be better served with the Endura, which is just a longer Delica. But the Delica is better suited to EDC and home carry.
 
When I carry my Endura I will also carry a smaller knife in another pocket, in case I need to do more delicate tasks. The Endura is a great knife, light in weight, but absolutely will not slip out of your hand while wet or grimy. Perhaps you could pair a Delica, Chaparral, or Manbug with it?
 
My Delica 4 FFG is one of my favorite EDC knives and it makes a wonderful light use pocket knife. If you're going to be using it for opening mail and packages, slicing up apples, and the other minor tasks it'll work just fine. I would not carry this as a duty knife, however, assuming that refers to military or first responder situations. My duty knife as a 911 responder is a Benchmade Triage 915. Definitely more expensive and substantial than the Delica 4, and I don't carry it off duty, but it's a very solid tool that's nice to have in my pocket on those sketchier calls. If it had an oxygen wrench it'd be perfect, but even without it I think it's the best rescue knife on the market.
 
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