The only real similarities are that they are both pocket knives. The spyderco is lightweight, lockback with a polymer body. The falcon has a nice heft, is a frame lock with metal scales and is assembled with screws instead of rivets. I gave the delica to my dad and carry the falcon every day for the last few years.
SethX1If your Delica had pinned construction it must have been relatively old. I know they’ve been around 25 years or so, but I think they have had screws for quite some time. Not sure if that’s what you meant though.
It is larger, sturdier, better scale material, better blade material. I don't own a Delica, but I carry several of my other Spydies much more often than my Falcon. I have the Manix XL in S90V in my pocket today.
I wouldn't say one was better than the other; it depends on what kind of tasks you use your knife for. The Delica is slimmer, lighter and better for precision tasks and slicing. The SG2 laminated blade is excellent - takes a great edge, and has good retention. The FF Falcon is heavier built and has a much thicker blade which makes it much less suited to slicing, but possible more resistant to heavier work and some chopping. The lock is quite hard to disengage because the edge of the lockbar isn't that well exposed, but the blade flips open very nicely. I'm not convinced by the execution of the choil on the blade - a bit too much risk of slipping and injury on the cutting edge. To me, the handle on the FF Falcon feels a bit too short in relation to the blade, and the knife feels a bit blade heavy. The Delica feels much better balanced, my view.
When all's said and done, I carry my Delicas (I have several in various steels and handle materials) much more often than my FF Falcon. Why? Because they just suit my needs better, and I find they just sit in my pocket more easily. The Delica is quite a mature design - it's been around for many years, with subtle, incremental changes and gradual refinement - and there's a reason for that; it just works.
The Delica is lighter and has better cutting design. But the Falcon has better handle material and blade steel. The Falcon is also better for flipping and playing with, as it is a frame lock (vs a Delica, back lock). In terms of cost vs reward, the Delica (depending on the steel) is a little less expensive and a better cutter, but the Falcon is just a little more expensive with better materials and will stand up to more difficult work. Also, the Falcon is easy to take apart for maintenance.
how do I use my $20 credit?
I would love to order this and use my $20 but I see no way of doing so. I emailed CS 2 days ago and haven't gotten a response... Starting to see where the reviews on support have some validity...