My Blue D3/SE ATS55, to use or not?

[spydutch]

Greetings you all:)

A while ago I got a blue Delica 3/SE out of a trade with a fellow forumite.

This particular knife has the best fit and finish and lock up of all of my D3's.
Hardly any vertical play and no horizontal play. In fact this is my first D3 I don't have to use my peen hammer on to lessen the play or gaps between the lock bar and scales:(

I carried it before but stopped after reading some horror stories of rusting of ATS55.

I have a few NIB D3's in VG10 but none of them have the nice finish of my blue one(gaps and the such) and I really like the colour on this one.

Well, I soaked the blade in Ballistol and let it sit for a couple of hours whereafter I whiped the excess off.

Should I take my chances and use the darn knife or put it in my display and use the VG10 ones instead:confused: ?

I hope you can help me out on this.

Thanks very much in advance:cool:

[NIGHTMARE77]

I would use one of the other vg-10 D3s, as the blue one is a bit more uncommon.

[David Lowry]

I would carry it. :D

I sold one of these exact knives a year or so back but it was a plain edge. I miss it like the dickens. If I had her back I would use her like crazy.

I vote for using it bro. :) Spydies are made to be used.

I've not heard of the rusting thing.

[flyguy]

I've read that the Stretch I will eventually develop blade play... Yet I can't help but blay with my Stretch. I enjoy the Stretch and won't regret overly using it if it develops play... :spyder:

[Piet.S]

Hi Arend,
I have two Spydies with a ATS-55 blade and I like the steel a lot.
It feels a bit different when sharpening compared to VG-10 but it also can take a very sharp edge and keep it well.
In fact, I'm glad that my Dragonfly still has the ''old'' steel.
I'v never seen a spot of rust on them and I don't treat my blades against it.
The only rust prevention my knives get is when I cut of a piece of sausage with them.
You know, when ''droge worst'' goes down well with a brew.

[tea]

I've got an old Dragonfly too. Been my EDC for over a year. I've gutted fish, cut vegatables, fruits and meat (kitchen duty!), and of course endless "I'm outside and need to cut random object" stuff.

No rust.

ATS55 is good steel. Just take the time to wipe it off and clean it properly once in a while and you should be fine.

T.

[Mr Blonde]

Is it a mint piece? Do you intend to sell it for profit? If no, then use it at least once, so you've enjoyed it for the full 100%.

Wouter

[fellyjr]

Arend, if you started carrying it already and didn't experience any rust I would resume carrying it and if your worried about rust just wipe it down with Tuf-Glide or the equivalent once in awhile. (My two Lincolns) ;) :)

[Salamander42]

If I were in your shoes, with several D3s to choose from, I think I'd use one of the others for EDC, but still slip the blue one in my pocket occasionally and at least use it lightly. As has been said, Spydercos are made to be used.

[David Lowry]

Here's a pic of the one I used to have that I miss so much.

USE IT! :)

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee95/davidlowry/BlueDelica2.jpg

[Peter1960]

Arend,

None D3 with it's pin-construction is immune for small blade play after usage, independent of the blade steel or FRN color.

I say if you like a new handle color in your jeans - use the blue Delica 3; if you like the blue as mint show piece - use one of your black Delica 3.

IMO the D3 with VG-10 is best choice my friend :)

[spydutch]

Thank you very much for all the replies so far guys:cool: :cool:

One more reason for my question is the fact that I had a G10 Harpy once which corroded terribly on me. You couldn't even see the scallops anymore:eek: :eek:

After carrying it around for a while I put some White Lightning (didn't have Ballistol then) on the blade and put it in my display.

After a few days I wanted to carry it again when I noticed the damage:(

I removed the rust but couldn't get the knife sharp again:o

I gave the knife to our esteemed Hannibal as a "fixer upper"(sp?)

[The General]

I have had a terrible time with ATS-55, some of my ATS-55 blades I had no problems with and held a great edge, others just rusted as I looked at them.

I have a blue plain edge Delica 3 and carried it for about a week, it rusted every chance it got. In the end the blade pitted slightly. I cleaned it and put it away never to use it again. Well I found it the other day and it had not rusted at all. I think my body type just does not get on with ATS-55. Though weirdly I carried a SE Endura 3 in ATS-55 all the time for over two years and never once had any rust or problems.

I have an ATS-55 Matriarch and carried it once, it rusted. Never carried since and its not had any rust problems.

I honestly think ATS-55 was just not a consistent steel, sometimes it was good rust wise, often it was not. It was good toughness wise and edge holding wise though. I gave away my Endura 3 to my parents a while ago. That knife served me through thick and thin. Saved my bacon once at a train station. I bought a Military SE in S30V as a sort of replacement for this knife a while back. I think I need to buy an Endura 4 SE in VG10 to cover this though. The Military I can't even find at the moment!:rolleyes:

[spydutch]

I guess you're right about that General.

For a time my son's favourite was my SS D'fly/SE in ATS55. He managed to lose it and weeks later I found it back somewhere in my car.

There were only a few tiny brown spots on the blade which were easy to wipe off.

It's hit or miss I guess with ATS55 then:confused:

I suppose it's better to stick with my D3's in VG10 then and occasional carry and enjoy my blue one when I don't suspect to sweat a lot:eek: ;)

[JaM]

A while ago I got a blue Delica 3/SE out of a trade with a fellow forumite.

This particular knife has the best fit and finish and lock up of all of my D3's.

I knew you'd like it ! :)

If you are afraid of rusting due to sweat, maybe carry it and DONT use it. Carry it along a VG-10 and use that one instead. See what it does for a few days (weeks ?), and then decide.

Or just use it and make sure that you clean it often. Ballistol is great for that.

Cheers,

JaM