Difference between revisions of "C11 Delica"

From Spydiewiki
Jump to navigationJump to search
Line 454: Line 454:
|valign="top" |[[VG-10]]
|valign="top" |[[VG-10]]
|valign="top" |2006-
|valign="top" |2006-
|valign="top" |79.95$
|valign="top" |89.95$ (2009)
|valign="top" |
|valign="top" |
|valign="top" |N/A
|valign="top" |N/A
Line 467: Line 467:
|[[VG-10]] (black)
|[[VG-10]] (black)
|2008-
|2008-
|93.95$
|104.95$ (2009)
|
|
|N/A
|N/A
Line 480: Line 480:
|[[VG-10]]
|[[VG-10]]
|2006-:PS; 2007-: SE
|2006-:PS; 2007-: SE
|79.95$
|89.95$ (2009)
|
|
|N/A
|N/A
Line 493: Line 493:
|[[ZDP-189]]
|[[ZDP-189]]
|2007-
|2007-
|119.95$
|134,95.95$ (2009)
|
|
|N/A
|N/A
Line 506: Line 506:
|[[VG-10]]
|[[VG-10]]
|2006-: PE; 2008-: PS,SE
|2006-: PE; 2008-: PS,SE
|104.95$
|109.95$ (2009)
|Waved
|Waved
|N/A
|N/A
Line 519: Line 519:
|[[VG-10]]
|[[VG-10]]
|2008-
|2008-
|164.95$
|179.95$ (2009)
|
|
|N/A
|N/A
Line 532: Line 532:
|[[VG-10]]
|[[VG-10]]
|2006-
|2006-
|99.95$
|109.95$ (2009)
|
|
|N/A
|N/A
Line 545: Line 545:
|[[AUS-6]]
|[[AUS-6]]
|2006-
|2006-
|79.95$
|89.95$ (2009)
|Trainer
|Trainer
|N/A
|N/A
Line 558: Line 558:
|[[AUS-6]]
|[[AUS-6]]
|2008-
|2008-
|104.95$
|109.95$ (2009)
|Wave Trainer
|Wave Trainer
|N/A
|N/A

Revision as of 15:10, 26 March 2009

C11PBK (4th generation)

The C11 Delica was first introduced in 1990, together with its bigger brother the C10 Endura. They have gone through most major and minor revisions together.

Generations

The C11 Delica has a long and complex history. Since it's introduction in 1990 the Delica went through many minor and major changes (usually improvements). These changes were done from one production run to the next independent of calendar year. Grouping the variants into different generations, as done by collectors, in this article, and partly by Spyderco, simplifies handling the complexity. Generations are differentiated by major changes as described in the following subsections. See here for a more detailed discussion. 

                 1996                     2006
                 |----- Generation 2 -----|---------------->
                                          |- Generation 4 ->
|---- Generation 1 ----|-- Generation 3 --|---------------->
1990                   1999               2006

Generation 1

The first C11 Delica variants introduced in the earlier 90s with an FRN handle and an integral FRN clip are considered first generation Delicas (D1).

Initially GIN-1/G-2 steel was used for the blade, in later runs AUS-8 was used too.

Until about 1992 Spyderco knives were not marked with the steel used. The G-2 stamp[1] on the blade was then used till 1994. In 1994, the steel remained the same, but the marking was changed to GIN-1, the name given by the steel's manufacturer.

Initially a thin integral FRN clip was used, which was later changed to a wider one. In a less visible way, actually a total of 6 different clips exist: "The 1st generation, with the molded clip actually went through 6 modifications to the mold, but they were minor changes to the clip mostly."[2]

Generation 2

In 1996 the Delica II was introduced with an originally different SKU (C43 Delica II). The major modifications from the D1 are

  • stainless steel handle,
  • stainless steel clip,
  • AUS-6 steel blade.

In 2000 the SKU was changed to C11. A Boye dent was added in 2002.

Nowadays, all stainless steel handled variants of the Delica (including the C43) introduced earlier than 2006 are considered to be second generation Delicas (D2).

Several engraved variations of D2 exist. Common ones are PRCA, DEA, FBI and "Bug and web".

Generation 3

The third generation of the Delica (D3) was introduced in 1999. The most prominent modifications from the D1:

  • Different and more highly effective form
  • Reversible, stainless steel clip that can be mounted for left and right-hand carry (barrel bolt clip)

A Boye dent was added in 2001.

Generation 4

The fourth generation (D4), including the Delica 4, Delica SS 4, and Delica Trainer 4 came out in 2006.

Major modifications of the blade from earlier generations:

  • The blade has a less pointy and stronger tip, an enlarged 13mm opening hole, and jimping added to the spine of the blade.

Major modifications of the Stainless Steel handle from D2:

  • The clip is connected to the handle with 3 small screws with four different possible mounting positions (4-way clip: tip-up/tip-down for left and right-hand carry).

Major modifications of the FRN handle from D3:

  • The D4 has a screw together construction for easier cleaning and adjustments.
  • The scales are made using Bi-Directional Texturing (trademarked) to provide better traction and improve ergonomics.
  • This is the first Delica to have skeletonized stainless steel liners (with holes cut in to save weight) to give it added strength without adding weight to the knife.
  • The clip is connected to the liners with 3 small screws with four different possible mounting positions (4-way clip: tip-up/tip-down for left and right-hand carry).

All variants have a Boye dent.

Additional variants introduced after the initial release include (see the D4 variants table further below for a complete list):

  • Waved navy blue (officially grey) FRN variant and a foliage green FRN variant later in 2006, both VG-10
  • British Racing Green FRN with ZDP-189 steel blade in 2007
  • Foliage Green G-10 handle with full flat grind VG-10 blade in 2008
  • Waved trainer variant in 2008
  • Waved navy blue FRN variant with fully serrated and combination edge in 2008
  • Black FRN handle with black blade (combination edge only) variant in 2008. These knives (including a similar Endura model) initially were planned to only be available in the SAS catalog for the Military and LEOs, but the public demand was so great it was decided to make them part of the stock line in 2008[3]. They appeared in the main 2009 catalog.

Appearance in catalogs

Since at least 1993 the C11 Delica appeared in all Spyderco product catalogs (older, newer).

(1991, 1992: must have been in there, if there ever existed such catalogs (?)).

Designer

Sal Glesser designed the original 1990 Delica. Today's design updates he also designs together with Eric and Peter as a team[4].

History, mentionings from the forums etc.

Historical note: The 1991 Swedish Mount Everest expedition used C11SBL as their expedition knife. These knives were etched with the text: EVEREST -91 on the blade. A total of 43 knives were made with this etching, the first of which was presented to the Swedish King in a box made of Bog oak. [5]

On the Spyderco forums:

Information from the Spyderco catalog on the web

C11BK (D4):

"In 1990 Spyderco shook things up by introducing two knives, the Delica and Endura. First of their kind on the market, both folders opened up the knife market to lightweight performance, one-hand open pocketknives that just about everyone could afford. They settled as Spyderco’s top two bestsellers and their improvement hasn’t slowed since. Refinement has been so ongoing and continual Spyderco tagged the updating/upgrading process with the term CQI- Constant Quality Improvement. During the Endura and Delica’s CQI journey Spyderco tweaked ergonomics, refined blade steels and fine-tuned their performance countless times. They are an evolutionary work in progress and the next level is here with the new Endura4 and Delica4. Both models now have screw construction making cleaning and adjusting easier. The fiberglass reinforced nylon handles come molded with Bi-Directional Texturing® for preferred traction and improved ergonomics. Inside the handle dual skeletonized stainless steel liners make the knife stronger without adding weight and make an anchor for all external and internal components to attach through adding sturdiness and rigidity. Their VG-10 blades are flat saber-ground with a stronger tip and larger 13mm opening hole. Added to the blade’s spine is slip resistant jimping. Phosphor bronze washers smooth out the open/close action and the clip is upgraded to a four-way tip-up, tip-down, left- or right-handed clip." [6]

See also other D4s: C11[7], C11BBK[8], C11FG[9], C11GFG[10], C11GRE[11], C11GYW[12], C11TR[13], C11TRW[14], C11WH[15].

See also D3s: C11BK[16].

See also D2s: C11[17] (listed as C11SS3 Delica 3 Stainless Steel in Spyderco's online catalog , but belongs to Generation 2 in this article).

And also C11CF[18] as well as C11KIT[19].

Variations

All Delica variations are made in Seki-City, Japan, and have a Back Lock locking mechanism.

Extending the set of major changes used to group the Delicas into different generations allows a further refinement of Delicas into variations, as done in the following tables. Even further refinements would be possible based on minor Delica changes (left for future generations of Spyderco collectors :-).

Variations of the Delica 1

Left and right hand versions of the Delica 1s exist. The clip is positioned for tip-up carry.

SKU Handle Edge(s) Steel From/To MSRP Note Number made Grind Clip
C11BK Black FRN PE PS SE GIN-1/G-2 1990-?, 1994 45.95$ (1994) N/A Hollow Integral FRN, thin
C11BK Black FRN SE GIN-1/G-2 year? ? Eddie Bauer edition ? Hollow Integral FRN, thin
C11BL Blue FRN PE SE GIN-1/G-2 ?, 1994 45.95$ (1994) N/A Hollow Integral FRN, thin
C11GR Green FRN PE SE GIN-1/G-2 ?, 1994 45.95$ (1994) N/A Hollow Integral FRN, thin
C11PN Pink FRN PE SE GIN-1/G-2 ?, 1994 45.95$ (1994) ? Hollow Integral FRN, thin
C11BK Black FRN SE GIN-1/G-2 ? ? ? N/A Hollow Integral FRN, fat
C11BK Black FRN PE PS SE AUS-8 1995?, 1996-1998 59.95$ (1996) N/A Hollow Integral FRN, fat
C11SAF Black FRN SE AUS-8 black ? ? ? ? Hollow Integral FRN, fat
C11BL Blue FRN SE AUS-8 1995-? ? N/A Hollow Integral FRN, fat
C11GR? Green FRN PE AUS-8 ? ? existing? ? Hollow Integral FRN, fat
C11PN? Pink FRN PE AUS-8 ? ? existing? ? Hollow Integral FRN, fat

Variations of the Delica 2

SKU Handle Edge(s) Steel From/To MSRP Note Number made Grind Clip Clip positions
C11 Stainless Steel PE PS SE AUS-6 1996-2005: PE, SE; 2002-2005: PS 68.95$ (2002) since 2002: Boye dent N/A Hollow Metal RH, TD/TU

Variations of the Delica 3

SKU Handle Edge(s) Steel From/To MSRP Note Number made Grind Clip Clip positions
C11BK Black FRN PE PS SE ATS-55 1999-2001 ? 2001: incl. Boye dent N/A Hollow Barrel bolt LH/RH, TU
C11BL Blue FRN PE SE ATS-55 ? ? ? N/A Hollow Barrel bolt LH/RH, TU
C11PN Pink FRN PE SE ATS-55 ? ? no Boye dent N/A ? Barrel bolt LH/RH, TU
C11BK Black FRN PE PS SE VG-10 2002-2005 66.95$ (2002) N/A Flat Saber Barrel bolt LH/RH, TU
C11BBK Black FRN PE PS VG-10 black ? ? ? N/A ? Barrel bolt LH/RH, TU
C11BL Blue FRN PE VG-10 ? ? last run before D4 used VG-10? N/A ? Barrel bolt LH/RH, TU
C11OD Olive Drab FRN PS VG-10 black 2004 66.95$ incl. Boye dent N/A Flat Saber Barrel bolt LH/RH, TU
C11TR Red FRN N/A AUS-6 2001-2003 66.95$ (2002) trainer N/A N/A Barrel bolt LH/RH, TU
C11TR Red FRN N/A AUS-6 2004-2005 66.95$ (2004) trainer, holes/blade N/A N/A Barrel bolt LH/RH, TU

Variations of the Delica 4

SKU Handle Edge(s) Steel From/To MSRP Note Number made Grind Clip Clip positions
C11BK Black FRN PE PS SE VG-10 2006- 89.95$ (2009) N/A Flat Saber 4-way LH/RH, TD/TU
C11BBK Black FRN PS VG-10 (black) 2008- 104.95$ (2009) N/A Flat Saber 4-way LH/RH, TD/TU
C11FG Foliage Green FRN PS SE VG-10 2006-:PS; 2007-: SE 89.95$ (2009) N/A Flat Saber 4-way LH/RH, TD/TU
C11GRE British Racing Green FRN PE PS SE ZDP-189 2007- 134,95.95$ (2009) N/A Flat Saber 4-way LH/RH, TD/TU
C11GYW Grey FRN PE PS SE VG-10 2006-: PE; 2008-: PS,SE 109.95$ (2009) Waved N/A Flat Saber 4-way LH/RH, TD/TU
C11GFG Foliage Green G-10 PE VG-10 2008- 179.95$ (2009) N/A Full Flat 4-way LH/RH, TD/TU
C11 Stainless Steel PE PS SE VG-10 2006- 109.95$ (2009) N/A Flat Saber 4-way LH/RH, TD/TU
C11TR Red FRN N/A AUS-6 2006- 89.95$ (2009) Trainer N/A N/A 4-way LH/RH, TD/TU
C11TRW Red FRN N/A AUS-6 2008- 109.95$ (2009) Wave Trainer N/A N/A 4-way LH/RH, TD/TU
C11BLE Blue FRN PE ZDP-189 2006 109.95$ Sprint 2x600 Flat Saber 4-way LH/RH, TD/TU
C11PN Pink FRN PE VG-10 2007 79.95$ Sprint (1st run, black clip) 500 Flat Saber 4-way LH/RH, TD/TU
C11PN Pink FRN PE VG-10 2008 79.95$ Sprint (2nd run, polished clip) 500 (3rd run?) Flat Saber 4-way LH/RH, TD/TU
C11WH White FRN PS VG-10 2008 79.95$ Sprint 1200 Flat Saber 4-way LH/RH, TD/TU

The Blue FRN ZDP-189 Sprint run was announced with a D3 handle. The Sprint run was late, and the handle changed to D4.

C11KIT: The C11 SKU is also used for the C11KIT internal replacement parts kit for the FRN Delica 4 Lightweighths. This kit was introduced in 2008.

Other variations

SKU Handle Edge(s) Steel From/To MSRP Note Number made Grind Clip Clip positions
C11PTI TI PE ATS-34 <2002? ? No boye dent, titanium, Japanese market only ? Hollow 3- screw old standard clip RH, TD
C11CFS CF SE VG-10 2003 139.95$ shiny carbon fiber, single liner on clip side, right handed. 600 SE/RH (out of 1500 total) Flat Saber Metal LH/RH, TD/TU
C11CFP CF PE VG-10 2003 139.95$ shiny carbon fiber, single liner on clip side, right handed. 600 PE/RH (out of 1500 total) Flat Saber Metal LH/RH, TD/TU
C11CFLHS CF SE VG-10 2003 139.95$ shiny carbon fiber, single liner on clip side ,left handed 150 SE/LH out of 1500 total Flat Saber Metal LH/RH, TD/TU
C11CFLHP CF PE VG-10 2003 139.95$ shiny carbon fiber, single liner on clip side, left handed 150 PE/LH (Out of 1500 total) Flat Saber Metal LH/RH, TD/TU

The C05 Economy/Standard and the C76 25th Anniversary Delica can be considered as variants of the C11 Delica, depending on individual preferences.

Most collectible variation

Collecting knives and selecting a specific variation to be most collectible is a very subjective topic and changing over time. Many would consider the C76 25th Anniversary Delica to be the most collectible variation, others might not even consider this a C11 Delica variation because of the differing SKU.

All the earliest variants seem to be more and more sought after, and the SAF variants are made in very low numbers. The CF variants are sought after as well.

Questions regarding collecting the C11

  • There are open questions marked with '?' above and below. Any answers?

Technical information

Measurements (mm and grams) of the C11 Delica:

Variations Length overall Length closed Length blade Length edge Hole Ø Blade thickness Weight
Delica 1 173mm ? 72mm 63mm ? 2.5mm 50g
Delica 2 173mm 102mm 72mm 63mm 12mm 2.5mm 110g
Delica 3 178mm 102mm 77mm 68mm 12mm 2.5mm 55g
Delica 4 FRN 181mm 108mm 73mm 65mm 13mm 2,5mm 71g
Delica 4 G-10 181mm 108mm 73mm 65mm 13mm 2,5mm 92g
Delica 4 FRN Wave 182mm 108mm 74mm 65mm 13mm 2,5mm 72g
Delica 4 SS 179mm 106mm 73mm 65mm 13mm 2,5mm 114g
Delica 4 Trainer 178mm 108mm 73mm N/A 13mm 2,5mm 71g
Delica 4 Wave Trainer 178mm 108mm 70mm N/A 13mm 2,5mm 71g

Measurements (inches and ounces) of the C11 Delica:

Variations Length overall Length closed Length blade Length edge Hole Ø Blade thickness Weight
Delica 1 6 13/16" ? 2 7/8" 2 1/2" ? 3/32" 1.75oz
Delica 2 6 13/16" 4" 2 7/8" 2 1/2" 15/32" 3/32" 4oz
Delica 3 7" 4" 3" 2 11/16" 15/32" 3/32" 1.9oz
Delica 4 FRN 7 1/8" 4 1/4" 2 7/8" 2 9/16" 1/2" 3/32" 2.5oz
Delica 4 G-10 7 1/8" 4 1/4" 2 7/8" 2 9/16" 1/2" 3/32" 3.25oz
Delica 4 FRN Wave 7 5/32" 4 1/4" 2 29/32" 2 9/16" 1/2" 3/32" 2.55oz
Delica 4 SS 7 1/16" 4 3/16" 2 7/8" 2 9/16" 1/2" 3/32" 4oz
Delica 4 Trainer 7" 4 1/4" 2 7/8" N/A 1/2" 3/32" 2.5oz
Delica 4 Wave Trainer 7" 4 1/4" 2 3/4" N/A 1/2" 3/32" 2.5oz

References

  1. ↑ A comment by Sal Glesser on the G-2 stamp can be found on the Spyderco-Forums[1]
  2. ↑ Information provided by Sal from Spyderco, found in the Spyderco Forums [2]
  3. ↑ Information provided by TazKristi from Spyderco, found in the Spyderco Forums [3]
  4. ↑ Sal Glesser's original comment can be found on Spyderco-Forums [4]
  5. ↑ As per the former Swedish Spyderco importer by Email to the author
  6. ↑ The C11BK Delica (D4) in Spyderco's online catalog
  7. ↑ The C11 Delica (D4) in Spyderco's online catalog
  8. ↑ The C11BBK Delica (D4) in Spyderco's online catalog
  9. ↑ The C11FG Delica (D4) in Spyderco's online catalog
  10. ↑ The C11GFG Delica (D4) in Spyderco's online catalog
  11. ↑ The C11GRE Delica (D4) in Spyderco's online catalog
  12. ↑ The C11GYW Delica (D4) in Spyderco's online catalog
  13. ↑ The C11TR Delica (D4) in Spyderco's online catalog
  14. ↑ The C11TRW Delica (D4) in Spyderco's online catalog
  15. ↑ The C11WH Delica (D4) in Spyderco's online catalog
  16. ↑ The C11BK Delica (D3) in Spyderco's online catalog
  17. ↑ The C11 Delica (D2) in Spyderco's online catalog
  18. ↑ The C11CF Delica in Spyderco's online catalog
  19. ↑ The C11KIT Spyderco Parts Kit for the FRN Delica 4 Lightweight in Spyderco's online catalog

Related Articles

Pictures

  • Delica 1s

  • Delica 2s

  • Delica 3s

  • Delica 4s

  • other Delicas

  • Early blademarking on a 1.gen. C11PPN

  • Early blademarking on a 1.gen. C11PPN

  • Handle marking on a 1.gen. C11SBL

  • C11PBK front view (D4)

  • C11PBK back view (D4)

  • C11PBK top view (D4)

  • C11PBK bottom view (D4)

About this article

  • Scope: C11 Delicas manufactured and sold by Spyderco only (ie. no Santa Fe or other custom models or aftermarket variations)
  • Information sources used so far:

Categories

Retrieved from "http://www.spydiewiki.com/index.php?title=C11_Delica&oldid=3859"