Reviews > Knives > Folding > Spyderco Delica CombinationEdge > James E. Triplett > Long Term Report

Long Term Test Report:

Personal Biographical Information:

Backpacking Background:

I was brought up exploring the woods, primarily West of the Mississippi from Missouri to as far North as Hudson Bay, and have a heavily ingrained appreciation for nature.  In college my recreation consisted of hiking to bouldering areas and rock climbing on the bluffs and trails in Southern Illinois, which ultimately led to continuously hiking the lower 1/3 of the Appalachian Trail.  I hike every day, and backpack when possible.  I am a mid-weight backpacker, experienced hiker and camper, and have had some exposure to longer hikes of 50 to 500 miles (80 to 800 km).  I prefer a tent over a tarp, in fact I love tents, but have not yet tried a hammock.

Manufacturer Information:

Note:  Spyderco lists a number of e-mail addresses on their website, from sales and marketing, to customer service and technical support.  They also have a link to a forum for the discussion of anything Spyderco.

Product Information:

• Blade length 3" (77 mm)
• Blade thickness 3/32" (2.5 mm)
• Cutting edge 2 11/16" (68 mm)
• Length closed 4" (102 mm)
• Hole diameter 15/32" (12 mm)
• Blade steel VG-10
• Handle material FRN

Test Environment:
I have carried the Spyderco Delica CombinationEdge folding knife with me on a daily basis.  This has provided for taking the Delica into temperatures as low as 10 F (-12 C) at the beginning of the test period, and as high as 95 F (35 C) this summer.  Elevations have ranged from 500 feet (150 m) to 14,255 feet (4,350 m) at the summit of Longs Peak in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.  The Delica has seen rain and snow, dirt and mud.  I have sharpened the Delica many times on the Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker (click here for BGT reviews).



Using the Delica:
As outlined in my field report, there are several different ways to fold and unfold the Spyderco Delica.  After experimenting for several months, I find it easiest to open the knife using the thumb-hole and the "one-hand" opening method.  To refold it, I press the lock release with one thumb while holding the knife in the same hand, and use the other hand, or my pants leg, to fold the blade shut.  Without thinking I use these methods of folding and unfolding exclusively.  I find the Delica quite easy to open and enjoy hearing the click when the blade locks into place.  Folding it is a little more cumbersome as the lock release is on the spine of the handle, making the easiest folding method a two-handed operation.



The Spyderco Delica is a treat to use and to carry.  Per Spyderco's instructions, I carry it in my pants pocket with the clip on the outside of my pocket.  This puts the knife in the proper orientation so that when I pull it out of my pocket I can easily open it with my thumb.  At times I do not wish for the knife to be visible, so I simply slip it all the way into my pocket.  I wouldn't want to carry a bigger knife this way, but the Delica is just at the limit of not being too uncomfortable when all the way down in my pocket.

I have found the size of the Delica, and specifically the handle of the knife, to be a good size for my somewhat long, thin, hands.  The Volcano Grip allows for secure handling, and the clip also seems to offer some value in keeping the knife from slipping.  It is easy to get a tight grip on the Delica for ripping through rope, or weeds, or anything else that needs a fair amount of force to cut.  During a week in Colorado I used it twice daily for shaving strips of walnut, red elm, and pine, to start campfires for breakfast and supper.



Other uses for the Delica have included cutting rope to rig up a tarp at campsites, chopping rhubarb and other foods, checking the doneness of steaks and burgers, separating plants, sharpening hotdog sticks, cutting weeds and brush, and household uses of opening packages, stripping wire, and any other cutting which called for a knife.

Sharpening the Delica:
Using the Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker, I have sharpened the Delica many times.  When using the knife daily for use on the trail, or in camp, the blade does become dull after a while.  After six months of use, and probably at least six sharpenings, I am still able to achieve a nice edge on the Delica blade.  There seems to be hardly any loss in sharpness between the first time I sharpened it and the most recent time.



Cleaning and Care:
The Volcano Grip of the Spyderco Delica does tend to trap dirt.  When using the knife in dry conditions this doesn't seem to be as big an issue as when using it in the rain or when the handle gets muddy.  I have found that the best way to get all the dirt off is to simply wash the knife in water.  I scrub the knife clean with a little soapy water, rinse it thoroughly, and once it is dry I liberally apply some light oil to the entire knife.  I then wipe off any excess oil and it is ready to go.  If I let it go too long without cleaning, I notice that the blade seems to drag when opening, and the click of the lock is less defined.

Durability:
It is my contention that the Delica CombinationEdge Folding Knife performs as well today as it did the day it arrived.  It does need to be sharpened and cleaned from time to time, but that is not unexpected.  Appearance is another issue, and it is noticeable that the knife is no longer new.  There are scratches on the blade, and the clip and the hardware holding the clip (the only painted surfaces on the knife) show significant wear.  Amazingly, the FRN (Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon) handle cleans up as good as new.

I have really enjoyed using the Spyderco Delica CombinationEdge Folding Knife.  The 3 inch (7.6 cm) blade has served me well on the trail and at home.  The knife and blade seem to be the ideal size for both carrying and using the Delica.  I love the look and feel of the knife, and I feel confident using it.  The Delica is well built and there are no signs of the blade loosening or any of the components showing excessive wear.  Even though the test series has now concluded, I intend to use the Spyderco Delica for many years to come.

         

Reviews > Knives > Folding > Spyderco Delica CombinationEdge > James E. Triplett > Long Term Report