All About Pocket Knives

First, I'm a traditional knife guy, period. A Western 742 or Camillus 69 stockman is the highest level of knife perfection. But I see all this tacticool knife talk and lately I've been eyeing them pretty hard. Y'all gave me some really good suggestions in a previous thread and I was sold on the Kershaw Leek. I even went so far as to handle one at the Walmart. The leek seemed to ba a quality knife and I put it on the list. It wasn't the most comfortable in my hand, but for what I would use it for it was good enough.

Then everything changed! I got bombed! Jmh58 sent me this Spyderco Delica4 FRN I'm one of my all time favorite colors, purple (just like 16 gauge shells)! It was awesome, but it's a tacticool knife, a sharp toy, right? Wrong!

I now see why y'all like these. It opens very fast and smooth. It's built really strong. The VG10 steel is great, and it's a real slicer and dicer. Oh, and I was wrong about the spyder hole too. I like it much better than studs. I also like the fact that like a traditional knife it has a spring. I like that click on closing! Oh, and to me its real comfortable in my hand, much more so than the leek.

It won't replace my true love (old used stockman knives). But it compliments them very well. There now. I'm a fan of good tacticool knives and spydercos in particular. The Delica 4 is a great edc yo compliment your slip joint.

Did I mention its purple?!

That's how they get you started Cuz. First they give you a "free" taste of the product. Next you find yourself buying "just one" with your own money and before you know it, you're hooked on that "Spyderco crack". That John is a sneaky fella. Generous but sneaky.

Like you, I don't do well with thumb studs and most of the holes cut in the blade for that purpose but I can navigate Spyderco's hole and it almost feels comfortable to use. I bought a used Delica off eBay and it didn't convert me but I'm not going to throw it away.

Ya got to watch them knife pushers for sure there cuz.

I've heard the previous delicas weren't as dandy as the 4. I have no idea. Is the one you bought a 4?

I did like the AO of the leek. It's real smooth. If the handle had been a might bigger I'd really have loved it. It was just a bit small for my hand.

I don't know what rev. level this Delica is nor how to find out. It's a keeper but not one I'll put much energy into.

BUT

Since you liked the Kershaw Leek, you COULD get one and have someone add handles to it. It makes the knife feel much more substantial in the hand.

Reference the Leek that Whitebuffalo58 did for me. (you wouldn't have to add the bail) I'm VERY pleased with this knife. Thanks Rob.

Oh my! That's purtier than a speckled pup right there!

I'd never have thought of doing a rehandle on one of these. I might just have to look into this.

It's not really a rehandle. It's an addition to the metal handles that turns them into thick liners.

If you consider this, may I suggest Culpeppers for the handle material. They have just a little bit of everything and depending on the handle material, at price points to fit most any budget.

http://www.knifehandles.com/

Glad I could help out!! And that ya like it!! John

Rob also made a knife for me that I LOVE!!!
I think Rob said this was a kit he put the handles on.
He did a nice job!! Thanks again Rob!

As regards tactical knives:
I used to like more traditional knives (that was all we had)….
Then I was introduced to Al Mar and his knives when I managed a cutlery store in the 1980s. Then I met the guys who were starting Bench Made in the mid 1980s and began to really tactical knives. After that I started collecting old knives.

On any given day you will find in my pockets, one tactical knife, one older traditional slipjoint and usually another knife, may be a new one, maybe an older one.
Today I an carrying a CRKT M16-14, a 4 line Camillus jack & a Kershaw Wild Turkey with a Damascus blade.
When I head off o church an a bit I will probably exchange the M16-14 for a Bench Made Mini Griptillian just because it is less obvious & lighter.

I guess now I just like SHARP THINGS!