C11 Delica
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. Grouping the variants into different generations (as done by collectors, in this article, and partly by Spyderco) simplifies handling the complexity.
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).
Generation 2
In 1996 the Delica II was introduced with an originally different SKU (C43 Delica II). The major modifications from the D1 are a
- stainless steel handle and a
- 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).
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)
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 David Boye dent.
Additional variants introduced after the initial release:
- Waved black FRN variant and a foliage green FRN variant later in 2006
- 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
- Black FRN handle with black blade variant in 2008
Appearance in catalogs
Since at least 1993 the C11 Delica appeared in the annual Spyderco product catalogs. (1991, 1992: must have been in there but not yet verified).
Designer
Spyderco, probably Sal Glesser and team [1]
History, mentionings etc. from the forums
No direct references so far, but part of the information in this article originally was posted in the forums. Too many to reference them all here.
Information from the Spyderco catalog on the web
No direct references so far, but part of the information in this article originally was found in Spyderco catalogs. Too many to reference them all here.
Variations
Variations of the Delica 1
SKU | Handle | Edge(s) | Steel | MSRP | Note | Number made | Grind | Clip |
C11BBK | Black FRN | SE | ? black | ? | ? | ? | Hollow? | Integral, fat |
C11BK | Black FRN | SE | GIN-1/G-2 | 66.95$ | 1990-1994? | N/A | Hollow | Integral, fat |
C11BK | Black FRN | SE | GIN-1/G-2 | ? | Year?, Eddie Bauer edition | ? | Hollow | Integral, ? |
C11BK | Black FRN | PE PS SE | AUS-8 | ? | 1994-1995?, 1997-1998 | N/A | Hollow | Integral, fat |
C11BL | Blue FRN | SE | GIN-1/G-2 | ? | ? | N/A | Hollow? | Integral, thin |
C11BL | Blue FRN | SE | AUS-8 | ? | 1994-? | N/A | Hollow? | Integral, fat |
C11GR? | Green? FRN | PE | AUS-8 | ? | ? | ? | Hollow? | Integral, fat |
C11PN | Pink FRN | SE | ? | 66.95$ | ? | ? | Hollow? | Integral, ? |
Variations of the Delica 2
SKU | Handle | Edge(s) | Steel | MSRP | Note | Number made | Grind | Clip |
C11 | Stainless Steel | PE PS SE | AUS-6 | 68.95$ | 1996-2005: PE, SE; 2002-2005: PS; since 2002: Boye dent | N/A | Hollow | Metal |
Variations of the Delica 3
SKU | Handle | Edge(s) | Steel | MSRP | Note | Number made | Grind | Clip |
C11BK | Black FRN | PE PS SE | ATS-55 | ? | 1999-2001; 2001: incl. Boye dent | N/A | Hollow | Barrel bolt clip |
C11BK | Black FRN | PE PS SE | VG-10 | 66.95$ | 2002-2005 | N/A | Flat Saber | Barrel bolt clip |
C11BBK | Black FRN | PE PS | VG-10 black | ? | ? | N/A | ? | Barrel bolt clip |
C11BL | Blue FRN | SE | ATS-55 | ? | ? | N/A | ? | Barrel bolt clip |
C11BL | Blue FRN | PE | VG-10 | ? | ? | N/A | ? | Barrel bolt clip |
C11PBLE | Navy blue FRN | PE | ZDP-189 | 109.95$ | 2005 Sprint | ? <1500 | Flat Saber | Barrel bolt clip |
C11BOD? | Olive drab FRN | PS | VG-10 black | 66.95$ | ? | N/A | ? | Barrel bolt clip |
C11PN | Pink FRN | SE | ATS-55 | ? | ?; no Boye dent | N/A | ? | Barrel bolt clip |
C11TR | Red FRN | N/A | AUS-6 | ? | 2001-2003; trainer | N/A | N/A | Barrel bolt clip |
C11TR | Red FRN | N/A | AUS-6 | 66.95$ | 2004-2005; trainer, holes/blade | N/A | N/A | Barrel bolt clip |
Variations of the Delica 4
SKU | Handle | Edge(s) | Steel | MSRP | Note | Number made | Grind | Clip |
C11BK | Black FRN | PE PS SE | VG-10 | ? | 2006- | N/A | Flat Saber | 4-way |
C11BBK | Black FRN | PS | VG-10 (black) | ? | 2008- | N/A | Flat Saber | 4-way |
C11BLE | Blue FRN | PE | ZDP-189 | ? | 2006 Sprint | ? | Flat Saber | 4-way |
C11FG | Foliage Green FRN | PS SE | VG-10 | ? | 2006-:PS; 2007-: SE | N/A | Flat Saber | 4-way |
C11GRE | British Racing Green FRN | PE PS SE | ZDP-189 | ? | 2007- | N/A | Flat Saber | 4-way |
C11GYW | Grey FRN | PE PS SE | VG-10 | ? | 2006-: PE; 2008-: PS,SE; Waved | N/A | Flat Saber | 4-way |
C11PN | Pink FRN | PE | VG-10 | ? | 2007 Sprint (1st run, black clip) | 500-600? | Flat Saber | 4-way |
C11PN | Pink FRN | PE | VG-10 | ? | 2008 Sprint (2nd run, polished clip) | 500? | Flat Saber | 4-way |
C11TR | Red FRN | N/A | AUS-6 | ? | 2006- | N/A | N/A | 4-way |
C11TRW | Red FRN | N/A | AUS-6 | ? | 2008-; Waved | N/A | N/A | 4-way |
C11WH | White FRN | PS | VG-10 | ? | 2008 Sprint | 1200 | Flat Saber | 4-way |
C11GFG | Foliage Green G-10 | PE | VG-10 | ? | 2008- | N/A | Full Flat | 4-way |
C11 | Stainless Steel | PE PS SE | VG-10 | ? | 2006- | N/A | Flat Saber | 4-way |
Other variations
SKU | Handle | Edge(s) | Steel | MSRP | Note | Number made | Grind | Clip |
C11CF | CF | PE SE | VG-10 | 139.95$ | 2003, carbon fiber | 1500? | Flat Saber | Metal, left and right hand |
C11TI | TI | PE | ATS-34 | ? | <2002?, no Boye dent, titanium, japanese market only | ? | Hollow | Metal, right hand |
The C05 Economy/Standard and the C76 25th Anniversary Delica can be considered as variants of the C11 Delica, depends 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.
Questions regarding collecting the C11
- There are open questions marked with '?' in the above variations table. Any answers?
Technical information
Measurements (mm and grams) of the C11 Delica 4 with FRN handles:
Length overall | Length closed | Cutting Length edge | Hole Ø | Blade thickness | Weight |
181 | 108 | 65 | 13 | 2,5 | 71g |
Measurements (inches and ounces) of the C11 Delica 4 with FRN handles:
Length overall | Length closed | Cutting Length edge | Hole Ø | Blade thickness | Weight |
7 1/8" | 4 1/4" | 2 9/16" | 1/2" | 3/32" | 2.5oz |
References
No references so far.
Pictures
See the "Show your Delica's" thread in the Spyderco forum.
About this article
- Status:
- advanced draft starting to cover basics (i.e. covering the easier to find information found in forums and catalogs)
- Current goal: cover the Delica basics as starting point for all Wiki editors to continue correcting, extending, and adding article information
- Scope: C11 Delicas manufactured and sold by Spyderco (ie. no or very little on Santa Fe and custom models)
- Information sources:
- C10 Endura article
- Spyderco catalogs: (older, newer)
- Several Spyderco collectors and Delica specialists active in the Spyderco and the Messerforum.net forums. Thanks to all! (See for example this Spyderco forum thread for specific names.)
- Rob's priceguide