Spyderco Forums

I know the Delica 4. (Don't have one yet, but I know what differentiates it.)

I have some old Delicas with integral plastic clips. I imagine those are the Delica 1s.

What differentiates the Delica 2 and 3?

Here is my guess: The 2 is the one that started to have the metal clip; and the 3 is the one that had the Boye detente on the backlock.

Is this correct, or are there different delineations between the 4 generations of Delicas?

Thanks!

-Jeffrey

You want an simple answer:

Delica 1 = FRN, molded clip, tip up - right
Delica 2 = SS, screwed clip (former SKU C43!), tip up/down - right, with and without Boye dent
Delica 3 = FRN, screwed clip, tip up - left/right, with and without Boye dent
Delica 4 = FRN + SS, screwed clip - 4 way, with Boye dent

I was thinking there was only 3 generations of Delica's but I'm no expert so I'm probably wrong. I think the Delica 2 was called that b/c it referred to the number of carry options which is what made it different from the first generation.

OK, my version:
FRNs

Delica 1st Gen. - molded RH clip, blade in whether G2 or AUS 8, hollow grind,
without Boye dent

Delica 2nd Gen. - barrel bolt ambi metal clip, clip not nested, hollow grind in ATS-55, without Boye dent (?)

Delica 3rd. Gen. - barrel bolt ambi metal clip, clip is nested, saber flat grind in VG10, Boye dent

Delica 4th. Gen. - 3 screw four way clip, nested liners in body, saber flat grind in VG10, Boye dent

Stainless models

Delica II - AUS6 hollow ground blade, tip up/down RH clip, 1st without Boye dent, later with it.
Delica IV - VG10 hollow ground blade (?) four way ambi clip, Boye dent

Think we may have to wait for Sal, Joyce, or Kristi on this one to be absolutely sure. Although Peter or Jan may very well be correct, IIRC there were two "generations" with the molded plastic clip, the second being an improvement in the clip itself. So my theory of "Delica family history" would have those as the first and second generations, the barrel bolt clip version as the third, and finally the current all screw construction and four way clip version as Generation 4.

Seems, though, that the "4" is the first generation to actually have the generation number actually printed on the knife (i.e. on the handle). It's not like the 3 said "Delica 3" on it. The ones I've had said "Clipit Delica," I think.

-Jeffrey

I am with Deacon... The plastic clip did evolve... The earliest ones I had, were skinny, they then seemed to widen.

here's a thread on BF to clarify

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showt ... p?t=410631

Be interesting to see what Spyderco considers "Generations" and what they consider tune-ups of current generations (ala Chinook II and Chinook II flat grind). What most of you call delica III, Spyderco called Delica 98 at the time it was introduced. I still call the previous generation delica 98 & endura 98 out of habit.

Joe

WOTANSON1 wrote:here's a thread on BF to clarify

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showt ... p?t=410631

Interesting thread, does not directly answer the generations question, but does explain the "why" of the relatively uncommon AUS-8 FRN Delicas.

As far as the generations issue, the more I think about it, the more I'm leaning toward Peter's theory - plastic clip, stainless version (which was, after all, called the Delica II), barrel bolt version, and screw construction version. But still think the only way we will ever know Spyderco's logic for the D4 and E4 designations will be if one of the Spydercrew posts it.

That's an interesting observation Joe. The truth of the matter is that, as a small company, we've not really paid much attention to "documenting" the refinements with regards to generations of modifications. We've only just recently begun greater focus on what to call the changes.

Our philosphy has always been, "when you find an improvement, improve it".

We've done minor changes on the lock of the Chinook & Manixi several times as we "dial in" our best effort.

We're always "improving" or "refining" (evolving?). We've been changing or adding "Jimping" quite a bit lately as we "refine" models. We just do it as a matter of daily R & D. Many of the changes are minor, eg; a change in material or a different washer. With more than 100 models betrween Spyderco and byrd there are always several changes occuring.

"Tis a puzzlement".

sal

The Deacon wrote:... the more I think about it, the more I'm leaning toward Peter's theory - plastic clip, stainless version (which was, after all, called the Delica II), barrel bolt version, and screw construction version...

Trust me, it is not my theory, it is my knowledge as interested collector :D (an example - see Spyderco Story page 53 - "in late 1996 the Delica II appeared, the first time a steel-handle Clipit was derived from a model that originated in FRN" ).

I thought it went like this:

Delica I = Plastic molded clip with pinned construction. Mine had Gin-1 steel. The butt of the knife was more rounded.

Delica II = Stainless knife with 3 clip screws holding the clip on. Pinned construction, and the butt of the knife was still rounded.

Delica III = FRN knife with barrel bolt holding the clip on, pinned construction, and the butt of the knife was squared off due to the barrel bolt.

Delica 4 = FRN and Stainless. Stainless being pinned construction and FRN being screwed construction. Clip held on with 3 screws and the butt of the knife is rounded. Knife has dual full liners that are nested.

Hi David,

That's kinda the way we saw it, but as mentioned, there were many "improvements" or "changes" made along the way. What constitutes a generation change?

Blade steel? Lock steel? Spring material? mold change? Pattern change? :confused:

sal

sal wrote:What constitutes a generation change?

Blade steel? Lock steel? Spring material? mold change? Pattern change? :confused:

All together :D

markg I am with Deacon... The plastic clip did evolve... The earliest ones I had, were skinny, they then seemed to widen.

Thats correct. Clip Improvments are as important as Steel changes. Thats where D2 and D3's are hard to nail down. My opion is the apex of clips was the barrel. But we are now at the apex for steel with the ZDP.