Top 25 Pocket Knives that are Indispensable: #4 Spyderco Delica

TOP 25 POCKET KNIVES THAT ARE INDISPENSABLE: #4 Spyderco Delica 4
Brought to you by KnifeCenter.com

In June, we took a survey to learn which pocket knives our readers believe should never be discontinued. Respondents were asked to name as many or as few pocket knife models as they wanted, and no brands or blades were off-limits. 404 respondents named a total of 268 models and the average respondent named 4.1 pocket knives. 79 out of 404 respondents said the Spyderco Delica should never be discontinued.

When the Spyderco Delica debuted in 1990, the company had only released about a dozen models and wasn’t the industry giant it is today. Concepts like pocket clips and one-handed openers were still cutting edge ideas. In a small, useful, and affordable package, the Delica helped redefine what a pocket knife ought to be.

The original Delica was released alongside the Endura, as an option for users who prefer smaller knives. But in many ways the Delica was an improved version of the C01 Worker, Spyderco’s first ever pocket knife. The Delica had similar proportions and the same lock, but came with a more useful blade shape. The knife was released with textured FRN scales. The durable, high-density polymer has since become a signature part of this working man’s knife. The Delica recently celebrated 25 years in production, but new versions and sprint runs continue to flow.

Sponsored by KnifeCenter.com

Why is the Delica still so popular after all these years? It could be because, for the price, the knife packs a lot of utility into a sub-3 oz. package. The refined ergonomics allow for comfort in a variety of grips. The four-way ambidextrous clip is strong and durable. In the standard model, the VG-10 steel is highly-resistant to rust, and can be touched up with minimal sharpening skill. The lockback mechanism is simple and functions flawlessly every time, and the Boye dent on the lock release will prevent any accidental closures. And, if you’ve never opened a knife with Spyderco’s trademarked SpyderHole, the Delica is a great place to find out what you’ve been missing out on.

There are many variations of the Delica 4. Much like the Endura 4, it is available in a sabre or full flat grind, with stainless steel or FRN handle scales. The standard Delica 4 comes in VG-10 steel, but there are sprint runs with Super Blue and HAP40 to be had on the secondary market. A ZDP-189 model is currently in production as well.

Visit KnifeNews tomorrow to find out which model is #3 on our list of the Top 25 Pocket Knives that are Indispensable.


Knife featured in image: Spyderco Delica 4


#25 Microtech Ultratech 14/404
#24 Emerson CQC-7 15/404
#23 Victorinox Cadet 18/404
#22 Benchmade Adamas 20/404
#21 Zero Tolerance 0562 21/404
#20 Cold Steel Ti-Lite 24/404
#19 Opinel No. 8 25/404 
#18 Zero Tolerance 0350 28/404
#17 Cold Steel Voyager 30/404
#16 Case Trapper 41/404
#15 Ontario RAT Model 1 43/404
#14 Benchmade Mini Griptilian 53/404
#13 Spyderco Manix 2 54/404
#12 CRKT M16 57/404
#11 Kershaw Skyline 58/404
#10 Kershaw Blur 62/404
#09 Cold Steel Recon 1 63/404
#08 Spyderco Endura 4 70/404
#07 Chris Reeve Knives Large Sebenza 21 75/404
#06 Kershaw Leek 76/404
#05 Benchmade 940 78/404
#04 Spyderco Delica 4 79/404
#03 Benchmade Griptilian 81/404
#02 Buck 110 Folding Hunter 90/404
#01 Spyderco Paramilitary 2 94/404