I just got this knife in the mail last night as an alternative EDC to my Benchmade 556 Mini Griptilian. I have mixed feelings. The blade length is identical to the mini-grip, but it's thinner and has much more of a slicing character. It doesn't feel fragile at all though. The handle is also a touch thinner than the mini grip. However that big thumbhole makes it much wider when closed. So despite the thin character of the knife I wouldn't say it's more pocketable than the Benchmade. It's still easy to forget about though and quite nice for EDC. I'd call it a tie between the two.

The opening and closing action is much different. The movement is buttery smooth but heavy. You're not going to accidentally open it in your pocket, and it feels rock solid when locked open. I can open it one handed, but it doesn't "flick" like the Benchmade. I can't close it one handed, but that's not such a bad thing. You're not going to accidentally unlock it either. But I do kind of like how I can whip out the benchmade and open it while I'm raising the knife, slice something open, then close it as I return it to my pocket. Quick as a blink. I would imagine this knife will loosen up a bit if I keep it, and maybe I just haven't mastered a one-handed close yet. If you've ever driven manual transmission cars or motorcycles from Germany and Japan, these two knives remind me very strongly of shifting a Honda (the Benchmade) vs shifting a BMW (the Spyderco.) Both are smooth as can be, but the Benchmade opens/closes quickly and casually whereas the Spyderco is firm and deliberate. Niether is better in my opinion, just different.

I read another review that complained about the finish of the thumb hole. I thought he was just being whiny, but sure enough mine isn't finished either and it's a problem. Aside from the drill marks, the edges of the hole are sharp enough that it's uncomfortable to stick your thumb into it. It's a really surprising deviation from the rest of the outstanding fit and finish of the knife. I'm not sure whether I'm going to send it to Spyderco to ask them to finish machining the damn knife, get out a file and some super fine sandpaper and do it myself, or just return it and get something else.

Overall it's a very nice knife with a "character" very different from my other nice EDC (again Benchmade 556 Mini Griptilian) so it could be a nice addition to my budding collection. But that thumb hole is awfully annoying when there are so many great options at the $60 dollar price point.

A couple other thoughts - The handle is a touch longer than the mini grip, hence the longer overall length. It's a pleasure to hold. The pocket clip stands off a bit further than the benchmade, which I don't really like but isn't really a problem. The black finish is already coming off, but my Benchmade clip did the same thing. Oh well. That's just what they do.

Update: I contacted Spyderco about the knife. They basically said the thumbhole is not a polished feature so don't expect it to be super smooth, but it shouldn't be sharp either. Fair enough. They suggested I send it in and they'll buff it and send it back for free as long as it's under warranty. I assume it's under warranty since it's brand new. That's about the best you could hope for. Thanks for the offer Spyderco.

I elected not to bother dealing with getting a brand new knife "fixed." I contacted the seller for a return and they gave it to me, even paying the return shipping themselves. Great service from both Spyderco and eCop! but I'm not going to put up with what I at least perceive to be a flawed brand new $60 dollar knife.

I'm sending this back and am going to go with a $40 dollar Kershaw Leek to have a slicer in my EDC collection.

I'm going to change this to a 5 star review since it's otherwise a great knife, and the service was A+. Just be warned that you may have to spend a few minutes buffing the thumbhole after you receive this knife.

I've had this knife and carried it exclusively, it replaced my bear grylls scout folder (which is not half the knife the spyderco is). It's not as pretty as some of the nicer spyderco knives, I really dig the rounder leaf shapes, but there isn't a knife that provides as much function and quality steel for the money. I can't decide whether I like the looks, I'm always kind of in limbo with that, but it performs so well i wouldn't care if it was pink and rainbows.
The handle is very sturdy. The texture and gimping over the spyder hole make for a very solid feel. I have small enough fingers that I prefer to choke up on the unsharpened part of the blade and can do so safely. I'm very happy with the solid feel of the knife since it is so light you forget it's in your pocket, until you need it. The opening is smooth. If you go slowly, no it's not perfect, but this isn't made to be put in a glass box and admired. Lock up is solid. Even as the blade loosened up enough to be flipped out (via thumbnail stuck in the hole, leaves a mark on your nail but that doesn't concern me) the blade has not even given a wiggle once fully locked in place. The paint comes off the pocket clip after a while, kind of wish they just left it unpainted, but it's not a big deal. The pocket clip can kind of move side to side after a few months, but it's not threatened retention nor has it broken. The clip is probably the weak point of the knife, really. I would not be surprised if it broke for those who use their knives heavily. There is a lanyard hole, a bit small, too small for paracord type III, but it's there if you want to experiment with that. I don't mess with it. I think it is a bit big for a lanyard knife unless you are doing so for a camping trip for extra security.
All that is nice but the blade is what really makes this knife so great. I prefer the look and function of the full flat grind, it is an EDC, not for construction work, for me. Saves a bit of weight as well. The edge holds up really well. Through normal use the edge will roll or misshape a bit, but all I have to do is run it through a handheld sharpener and it's back to new (one of those with the metal teeth that make a "V", they don't sharpen so much as straighten a blade). I've cut paper, opened packages, cut vines about a quarter inch thick, and after that it still can cut through a tomato or a peach with ease, and I have done both without sharpening beforehand. I have not needed to bring it to a stone yet, though some time far in the future I'm sure I will. And it will not rust. On a humid hike a different knife made of 13CrMOV came back with multiple rust spots and the Delica came back spotless. It's been through the washer machine and still no problems. This knife will do everything reliably if not easily as long as you do not use it as a pry bar.
It's a great all around knife. The belly in the blade isn't the best for packages or related tape as far as finding a place to start a cut, but that's the only place it didn't perform just perfectly. I've even used this over scissors to cut tiny coupons because I felt more confident with the knife. There are better knives for specific purposes, but I wouldn't ask for more from an EDC. If you're in the market for an EDC, give this a good long look. I doubt you would be disappointed with this knife, and surely not with the choice of blade grinds and edges the Delica line offers.

The Spyderco Delica is my all-time favorite pocket knife. I've been carrying a Delica since it came on the market in 1990 and have owned almost every version of it since that time. This is the 4th version, the Delica 4. I never broke one...I just lose them from time to time. Needless to say, I keep a few extra on hand for those times when I misplace the one I'm carrying.

Everything about the Delica 4 is right for me. It is the perfect size to clip in a rear or front pants pocket. It is unobtrusive in the rear pocket, and only slightly obtrusive in the front pocket when seated/climbing (depends on the pants). One of the things I really like about the Delica is that it is always evolving. In a few years, these comments may be obsolete if the knife is revised. Every version of the Delica that I have owned has been an improvement over previous versions, and each version generally came in different configurations, including the Delica 4. The full flat grind (FFG) profile of the blade on this knife is thinner than the saber grind found on other Delica 4s. The only advantage I can think of for the FFG blade would be for slicing/fileting. I prefer the thicker saber grind for the strength, but not enough to deduct a star.

The steel used for the blade on this model is VG-10, which I really like. VG-10 has never corroded on me, despite extensive saltwater exposure (some stainless steels will) and it holds an edge, yet sharpens easily enough. I have never broken a tip or bent a blade on versions with the saber grind despite modest use as a pry bar and wood chisel...I'm not sure yet how this FFG blade will hold up in that area. If you are interested, Spyderco has another version of the Delica 4 that uses ZDP-189 steel, which is supposed to be very good. I have no experience, however, with that steel.

The pocket clip is secured by three tiny bolts, which keeps the clip from rotating, and can be positioned on any of the four corners. The default location allows a right hander to open the knife right out of the pocket, front or rear, without changing the grip you used to pull it out of your pocket.

The circular hole in the blade is the ideal size and shape (ovals don't fit the thumb as well IMO) and in the ideal location. It's as easy to operate for me as it is for a 10 year old. Opening this knife quickly with one hand is intuitive and does not require practice. The lock release is indented, I believe to minimize risk of accidental closing when squeezing the handle. With practice, any knife with the lock release in this position can be closed with one hand. Easy one-handed access, opening, and closing cannot really be appreciated until you need it (e.g., something needs to be cut while one hand is occupied).

BTW, if you are considering the Delica 4 Emerson Opener, I can tell you that it works (snags on your pocket to open automatically as you pull it out), but you have to be careful if you want to pull it out without opening it. I don't find this very useful as I can open the regular Delica 4 in a controlled manner as fast as necessary.

Serrated or plain edge? Spyderco's serrated edge is definitely more aggressive out of the box, but the plain edge is much easier to sharpen when it gets dull. Even with Spyderco's Triangle Sharpmaker, I have a hard time restoring a serrated edge. For that reason, I always opt for the full plain edge. However, the serrated edge, when new/sharp, will rip through rope and seat belts much better than a plain edge so consider your purpose for this knife when deciding.

The handle material is a nylon polymer and seems invincible. It is directionally and sharply textured for superior grip no matter how it is held. The initial portion of the back of the blade and the polymer on the back spine are textured for better grip when the thumb rests there. The grips have a stainless steel liner inside and the entire knife is held together by screws versus rivets (both of these features are revisions over previous versions). The end of the handle farthest from the blade pivot point has a hole for a lanyard if you are inclined to use one.

Highly recommended.

A great knife for the price. This is my first Spyderco, it's sharp, seems strong and well built. The handle has a nice feel and good grip. Only complaints are that it's a little more difficult to deploy one handed and close than some other pocket knives I've owned over the years as well as a bit bulkier for EDC, plus the pocket clip doesn't hold super tight. Overall I still like it quite a bit though.

One of the best knives Ive owned. Its one of the more affordable Spyderco's, but it still has the company's signature quality materials and construction. Extremely sharp out of the box, the handle feels nice to hold with the multi directional scales, the clips is reversible and holds on the the pocket very well, while not being too difficult to deploy. It is a little stiff to open but it gets broken into with use fairly easily. High quality, affordable lightweight EDC knife.