Why no Delica G10?

W

Wil lRogers

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Oct 29, 2013
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It appears that most of Spyderco's popular knives have G10 handles, including: Para Military, Persistence, Tenacious, Resilience, Dragonfly, Manix 2, Native, Caly 3.5, etc., etc. But the Delica, perhaps the most popular of all Spyderco knives, is offered only in FRN. Does anyone know what is behind this marketing decision?

At first, I thought it was because the Delica was considered to be an entry-level knife, and that a G10 model would make it more expensive and put it in direct competition with Spyderco's more high-end models. But then I remembered that the Kershaw Skyline, which is just about the same size and weight as the Delica (although with lower quality steel), costs less than the Delica. Overall, I would rather carry my Delica - but sometimes I pick up my Skyline just because the G10 handle feels better in my hand.
 
There was a Delica sprint run with G-10 handle scales...I guess Spyderco doesn't deem there to be enough demand to make such an item regular production. Harder yet to justify given the success of the FRN Delica, and the fact that there are more robust knives similar in size already that feature G-10 handles. I'd also like to see another iteration of a Delica in G-10, but I don't see it happening anytime soon.
 
"Harder yet to justify given the success of the FRN Delica, and the fact that there are more robust knives similar in size already that feature G-10 handles."

OK, you seem to be agreeing with me: the FRN Delica is already a big success, so why change it, and if someone wants a G10 handle, they can buy a more "robust" (read expensive) knife. So as I said, the Delica is a gateway knife to more expensive models with G10 handles. Makes sense - I just wanted to hear someone stand up and say this is Spyderco's marketing strategy.
 
Personally I think both the Endura and Delica are vastly superior in G10. I REALLY regret selling the Endura sprint I had.... truly a dumb move!
 
Rolf you know I dont like it when you disagree with me... :p

What I like about the G-10 versions is they also have liners. Makes the whole knife a bit heavier and more substantial. Also smoother...

Lycosa said:
To KNOW FRN is to love FRN, imo.
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A Delica 4 in Powernoodle Blue G10 with polished stainless clip would be would be a tremendous seller.
 
Wil lRogers said:
"Harder yet to justify given the success of the FRN Delica, and the fact that there are more robust knives similar in size already that feature G-10 handles."

OK, you seem to be agreeing with me: the FRN Delica is already a big success, so why change it, and if someone wants a G10 handle, they can buy a more "robust" (read expensive) knife. So as I said, the Delica is a gateway knife to more expensive models with G10 handles. Makes sense - I just wanted to hear someone stand up and say this is Spyderco's marketing strategy.
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I don't know that would be their specific marketing strategy, but back when the G10 Delica and Endura were discontinued, Sal mentioned it was due to the sales slowing as well as the cost to manufacture going up. It was a nice knife, but if it were around still it might be in the neighborhood of $130ish. Not many people bought them when they were $100, much less at a more current price. If a knife does not sell well and hit a specific threshold, it gets discontinued to make room in the production schedule for something else, as well as something that will sell.
 
Due to requests, there will be a run of Delicas/Enduras in smurf blue G10 and Super Gold steel. It's queued for the time being though, first up is the HAP40 in burnt orange FRN run.

Sources: Spyderco.com forum.
 
There is a Delica Sprint Run in blue G10 overdue but coming. Apparently, there is an issue on getting the steel.
 
3rdGenRigger said:
There was a Delica sprint run with G-10 handle scales...I guess Spyderco doesn't deem there to be enough demand to make such an item regular production.
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Not entirely accurate. It wasn't a sprint, it was regular (although limited) production. It didn't sell well enough to maintain in the lineup, or to bump up to full production, which tells you how they judge demand.
 
As mentioned, sales are often the decider in continued production. We're working on a G-10 Endura and Delica in blue that was planned for SG-2, but the cost and minimum quantity required for SG-2 blows it out of the market. Now we're discussing an alternate steel for the G-10 versions.

sal
 
Sal Glesser said:
As mentioned, sales are often the decider in continued production. We're working on a G-10 Endura and Delica in blue that was planned for SG-2, but the cost and minimum quantity required for SG-2 blows it out of the market. Now we're discussing an alternate steel for the G-10 versions.

sal
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Sal,

Sounds good, what about high end stainless steel like S35VN or Elmax?
 
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