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Spyderco Delica 4 Review

A modern classic folding pocket knife with proven materials and proven performance attributes; maybe not the perfect model, but it will do well for most
Spyderco Delica 4
Photo: Amazon
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Price:  $147 List | $82.00 at Amazon
Compare prices at 2 resellers
Pros:  Big blade, excellent steel, four pocket clip positions
Cons:  Bulky pocket carry, slim handle in use
Manufacturer:   Spyderco
By Jediah Porter ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  May 6, 2020
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65
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#6 of 20
  • Blade and Edge Integrity - 30% 7
  • Ergonomics - 20% 7
  • Portability - 20% 8
  • Construction Quality - 20% 7
  • Other Features - 10% 0

Our Verdict

The Spyderco Delica 4 is solid, proven, and made with excellent blade steel. The deep but narrow blade is its most salient characteristic. A thin, gently tapered edge is tuned for fine tasks and frictionless edge hone, but the overall depth of the blade lends strength and confidence. Some of that deep blade is cut out with Spyderco's standard-setting, one-thumb-opening hole. That deep blade sticks out of the handle in stowed mode, making the whole folded package bulkier than is perhaps necessary. On the flip side, the handle is narrower and smaller in your hand than you might like.

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Spyderco Delica 4
This Product
Spyderco Delica 4
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Editors' Choice Award Best Buy Award Best Buy Award 
Price $82.00 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers		$155 ListCheck Price at REI
Compare at 2 sellers		$73.73 at Amazon$16 List
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Pros Big blade, excellent steel, four pocket clip positionsIncredible blade quality, assisted open, perfect combination of compactness/functionalityLight, simple, well-made, full size blade, full-functionBeautifully constructed, assisted open, good valueSharp looking and cutting, good materials, inexpensive
Cons Bulky pocket carry, slim handle in usePricey, blade lock mechanism not intuitiveExpensive, low profile handle, flexy plastic constructionSlender handle makes it hard to apply even pressure, thin blade is fragileLess-than-ideal pocket clip orientation, sharp stowed edges wear clothing
Bottom Line A modern classic folding pocket knife with proven materials and proven performance attributes; maybe not the perfect model, but it will do well for mostImmaculately constructed knife in a form-factor that is easy to carry and large enough for virtually every taskFor a full-function, full-size pocket knife, this is as light as it gets, and is the premier option for all sorts of human-powered adventuresA slender, svelte pocket knife with great materials and a reasonable valueA budget knife that leads its price range in performance and downright impressive quality
Rating Categories Spyderco Delica 4 Benchmade Mini-Barr... Benchmade 535 Bugout Kershaw Leek Sanrenmu 7010
Blade And Edge Integrity (30%)
7.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
Ergonomics (20%)
7.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
5.0
Portability (20%)
8.0
7.0
8.0
8.0
7.0
Construction Quality (20%)
7.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
7.0
Other Features (10%)
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Specs Spyderco Delica 4 Benchmade Mini-Barr... Benchmade 535 Bugout Kershaw Leek Sanrenmu 7010
Weight (ounces) 2.3 oz 3.4 oz 1.9 oz 3.1 oz 3.2 oz
Blade Style Clip point, straight Drop point, straight Drop point, straight Drop point, straight Straight
Blade locks closed? No Yes No Yes No
Opening Style Ambidextrous Thumb hole Assisted, ambidextrous thumb stud Ambidextrous thumb stud Assisted, ambidextrous thumb stud. And back-of-knife finger tab. Ambidextrous Thumb stud
Lock Mechanism Lock back Proprietary (Axis) Proprietary (Axis) Frame lock Frame lock
Carry Style, in addition to loose in pocket Pocket Clip and lanyard hole Pocket Clip and lanyard hole Pocket clip and lanyard hole Pocket Clip and lanyard hole Pocket Clip and lanyard hole
Blade Material VG-10 stainless steel 154CM stainless steel S30V stainless steel Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel 8Cr13MoV stainless steel
Handle Material Plastic Plastic Grivory 410 stainless steel Stainless Steel
Blade Length (inches) 2.5 in 2.8 in 3.0 in 2.9 in 2.7 in
Closed Length (inches) 4.1 in 4.0 in 4.2 in 4.0 in 3.7 in
Overall Length 7.0 in 6.9 in 7.4 in 7.0 in 6.5 in
Thickness (w/o pocket clip) (inches) .4 in .6 in .4 in .3 in .4 in
Other Features or Functions None None None None None

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Delica 4 is the latest (at time of publishing) in a long line of Delica models. It started out innovative and has lasted with minor tweaks along the way. The latest version feels a little "behind the times", but is surely worthy of your consideration. It is a "modern classic" with some practical benefits and proven attributes and materials.

Performance Comparison


The Spyderco Delica is a classic design with a loyal following. We...
The Spyderco Delica is a classic design with a loyal following. We like it, but aren't completely enamored.
Photo: Jediah Porter

Blade and Edge Integrity


The Delica 4 blade is thin, steeply tapered tip-to-bolster, and made of VG-10 steel. VG-10 is Japanese high carbon steel commonly used in high-end kitchen knives. Spyderco's resulting blade is readily sharpened and comes tuned for finer tasks while its depth lends sturdiness. Much of the depth is included to accommodate the large thumb-opening hole.

Spyderco's Delica has a wide (in this case, the distance up and...
Spyderco's Delica has a wide (in this case, the distance up and down), thin blade. It is sturdy and sharp but takes up significant space.
Photo: Jediah Porter

Ergonomics


The handle of the Delica 4 is full length. 4.1 inches is pretty long for a typical pocket knife. On paper, we like that size. To consider a pocket knife full size we generally look for a handle length of at least 3.5 inches. The one-handed thumbhole opening is simple and at one time led the field in terms of opening innovation.

This tester's thumb is opening the blade using the hidden hole in...
This tester's thumb is opening the blade using the hidden hole in the blade.
Photo: Jediah Porter

Our primary wish is the handle of the deployed knife was larger in width. In a tightly clenched fist, the handle still seems a little small for sturdier use. In use, the shape of the back of the blade is optimized for thumb pressure. This is good. That same deep section of the blade sticks out considerably when the knife is closed. The handle could be made a little bulkier, in a good way, without really changing the pocket dimensions of the knife.

Our only complaint in performing heavier tasks with the Delica is...
Our only complaint in performing heavier tasks with the Delica is that its handle is a little thin for the typical adult fist.
Photo: Jediah Porter

Portability


For a full-length pocket knife, the Spyderco is pretty light and compact. 2.3 ounces is featherweight for the size. The folded knife is thin (0.4 inches) but wide. It is almost 2 inches wide in its folded configuration. For the relatively narrow in-use handle, the Spyderco Delica takes up a disproportionate amount of space in your pocket. The pocket clip is tight and fully customizable. The Delica is one of only a few knives on the market that offers four different carrying orientations with the pocket clip. If you don't yet know how you like to carry your knife, full customization as on the Delica is great.

Stowage of the Delica is pretty visible, thanks to the pocket clip's...
Stowage of the Delica is pretty visible, thanks to the pocket clip's attachment location relative to the end of the knife. This might not work with your wardrobe requirements in some situations.
Photo: Jediah Porter

Construction Quality


Initial impressions of knife quality are often tied to their weight. A heavy knife feels sturdy. All metal components make for a denser package and lend a sense of confidence. In practice, a knife doesn't have to feel sturdy to be sturdy. The Delica feels light. All components are tight and optimized, but the overall package is pretty lightweight. Longer-term GearLab testing has revealed no issues. Decades of Delica use, by others, prove its integrity.

Other Features


There are no other features on the Delica 4. It is a simple, single-blade pocket knife.

Picnicing, camping, traveling... The more you move around, the more...
Picnicing, camping, traveling... The more you move around, the more you might need a knife like the Delica. This Spyderco is great for all kinds of cutting tasks.
Photo: Jediah Porter

Value


The Delica 4 is not inexpensive. However, you get what you pay for. The blade material alone makes it worth the investment. The long Delica legacy proves its value as much as anything. Some other knives bring refinements that enhance their appeal, relative to the Delica and at this price point. But none of these others are as proven and widely revered as the Spyderco Delica.

Conclusion


The Delica model and basic design is decades old and marked an important step in pocket knife evolution. The entire market of one-handed opening, pocket-clipped locking blades owes much of its existence to the initial development of the Delica. The Spyderco Delica 4 lags behind some other even more modern competition, but it also still has its place on the market.

— Jediah Porter