Delica 4
In the 1980s, Spyderco took the world by storm with two original designs that wowed the knife world. The Delica and Endura models were revolutionary for their time, offering the solidity and ergonomics of a fixed blade with the compactness of a folding blade. Not only that, due to Spyderco's trademark thumb hole, these new knives could be used ambidextrously and one-handed.
The Delica 4 is a proud descendant of the original Delica, and it does not disappoint. This newest reincarnation is definitely not a lightweight, even though at 2.3 oz. it handles easily.
So, let us explore the Delica 4 and what makes it so special:
Of course, just like all Spyderco models, it boasts its trademark thumb hole, allowing for ambidextrous, one-handed opening of the blade. The phosphor bronze washer at the pivot ensures a quick and effortless open and close blade action.
The Delica 4's extremely light and robust construction combine to create a knife that's very user friendly and easy to handle, with minimum strength. The handle's bi-directional texturing pattern assures a tight, slippage free grip, while its 4-way reversible pocket clip allows the user freedom to carry the blade any which way, right-sided, left-sided, tip up or down.
The materials used are high-quality and specifically designed to offer a lightweight, robust, and highly durable knife that will withstand the rigors of time and heavy use. The business end of the Spyderco Delica 4 knife is anything but delicate, despite its polished and refined look. The blade is Premium VG-10 stainless steel, coming in two main single edged types: the Wharncliffe serrated cutting edge and the Wharncliffe plain blade, with a length of 2.875 inches and a thickness of just .093 inches. In spite of the narrowness of the blade, its design and the quality of the steel makes it tough, and sharp enough to put a scalpel to shame.
The handle is made from Fiberglass-Reinforced Nylon internally embedded with a steel skeleton, increasing the handle's internal stability and cohesion without increasing its weight, making it light, tough, and robust all at once.
The Delica 4 lives up to its connotations of delicacy, offering a relatively small folding knife that, in spite of its refined look, has gained a fearsome reputation for sharpness and solidity. It is a handsomely designed workhorse that can tackle any cutting job efficiently. It is a marvelous sight to see and to hold.
The Delica 4's screw construction offers easy and quick access to the blade for cleaning and adjustments in record time. It can be put back together just as fast and without fuss.
Spyderco is always on the lookout for new ways to improve its products. In the Delica 4, they have come up with a winner. The combination of high-tech materials and innovative design, using a proven knife as inspiration, has truly paid off. The Delica 4 can be seen as a worthy successor to an illustrious originator.