A few questions from a newbie -- opinions and prices on the Dragonfly and Mini-Grip?

C

carrot

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I'm considering buying a Spyderco Dragonfly, and since it seems prices vary wildly from place to place, I would like to know what and where the best price for a Spyderco Dragonfly is. I'd prefer a website/store that takes money orders, or a local one in NYC, since I don't have a credit card, but if the price is good enough elsewhere, I could try to arrange something through a friend that does.

Also, is the Dragonfly a "good" and useful knife? I don't have a particular purpose in mind, but I'm seeking out a knife that is small and non-threatening but still useful and comfortable to hold. According to Spyderco's description, it sounds like what I want. If you don't think the Dragonfly is appropriate for me, what would you suggest instead?

Another knife I'm interested in is the Benchmade Mini-Griptilian (556 drop point). I know that it and the Dragonfly are two different kinds of knives (does BM sell a knife comparable to the Dragonfly in size and utility?), but I like the looks of it, and it sounds like a great knife to upgrade to from my (currently) only folder, the Gerber LST. Again, I'd like to know what some good prices on this knife are, and where I can buy it.

Comparative pictures between the Spydie, BM, and Gerber would help a lot. Thanks in advance.
 
Given the choice of the two and owning a Dragonfly stainless, I'd buy the 556 if I had it to do over again. You should be able to find one for 50 bucks if you shop around and get the plain edge in 154CM.
 
Never owned a Mini-grip, but bought my wife a Dragonfly. Kind of envy her for it now. "Small, non-threatening, comfortable, useful"? Dragonfly's the ticket.

She volunteers with some nuns who said "Ooooh, it's so cute, it looks like a fish!"

Now I don't know how many nuns you know, but don't let the black outfits fool you: they're not into tactical, and if it the Dragonfly was a threatening kind of knife, it wouldn't be meeting their approval.

As far as comfortable and useful, I'd say no doubt about it. Got that absolutely ingenious finger choil that's half blade and half handle. Love that. Makes it big enough for my big hands, even though it really is a very small knife.

Best of all, eBay's flooded with 'em, and you can get one for somewhere in the low $20's.

Small, non-threatening, useful, comfortable, and AFFORDABLE.

With respect to your credit card situation: if you have a bank account, you can use PayPal to buy on eBay. Just so's you know.

Good luck.
 
The Dragonfly was my first Spyderco. Like a lot of folks I was a little leery of them at first with their plastic handles and odd shape but after carrying the little Dragonfly I was sold on the brand. 30 Spyderco's later I'm still buying them.:D The Dragonfly's thin blade is an outstanding slicer and it's so light you will forget you're carrying it.

As for good places to buy a knife, I've had great service from both New Graham Knives & Knifeworks.com. Prices are very good and you'll get fast shipping and good communication from both of them.

http://newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=3811

http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=409

As mentioned above Ebay is a good place to find some real bargains on knives but be sure and check out the seller feedback before you bid. Unfortunately, my wife currently has me on double secret ebay probation after I dropped about $1200 bucks on knives and knife related items last year.:D
 
Nick Hyle said:
I like New Graham, and American Heritage Sports has been my Benchmade Dealer for, well, longer than I've been on Bladeforums. Seven years? Good places to buy knives.

But -

Grand Prairie Knives is remaindering their 440C mini-grips for $42.50. That is what I call a deal. I got one, I recommend them to you.

http://www.gpknives.com/item/Benchmade-Mini-Griptilian-MDP-440C.html
Click to expand...


I second what Nick Hyle says.

I'm carrying a 556 Mini-Grip in 154CM most days and I don't notice it being any better at all than the 440C versions I've had.

Get a Grip! :)
 
Welcome to Bladeforums!

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How does this fit into G,B, & U??

Carrot,

The Dragonfly is a nice knife, but is quite small. I would say the Mini-grip is capable of heavier use, but the Dragonfly is great for everyday things like opening flashlight packaging, opening the mail, sharpening a pencil, etc.

My preference would be for the stainless Dragonfly, mainly because the clip is user replaceable if necessary. The Navigator 2 is a nice knife in the same range. One is tip down with finger grooves while the other is tip up with a more flexibility in different hand positions (IMO).

I don't know what the laws are in NYC but you can't go wrong with a Delica for an EDC knife. The Delica 4 is promises to be more robust, and offers 4 clip position options.
 
Thanks for all the input, everybody. Sorry for not responding sooner. I've decided, since I just want one general purpose knife for now to go for the BM556. (Maybe the Dragonfly later, since its small size is certainly appealing.) Unfortunately, I missed the sale price at gpknives.com because I was waiting for my next inflow of cash funds... so I guess I'll have to settle for $56 + 6 S&H from gpknives.com? (Funny, those digits spell out the model number...)
 
Sorry for the incredibly late response. I have ordered a Benchmade Mini-Grip 556 from Knifecenter. When I get it, I'll post my impressions. Thank you all for your advice.
 
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