Better knife than SpyderCo Dragon Fly 2?

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NeedItCheaper

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Jun 17, 2012
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Recently I listened to an ultra-light(ish) backpacker say they only bring a keychain Victorianox knife (0.8oz) to process wood for fire in an emergency. I tried this and the handle was very uncomfortable and made feather-sticking overly stressful. In an emergency, I could see fire making become extremely difficult. So I dug out all my light folders and started testing. From my collection (not really that big [that's what she said] ) I found the Dragon Fly 2 was the lightest at 1.3oz. With the dragon fly I could grip the handle and have enough control to feather-stick and do push cuts. With that said, what's the lightest knife you can think of that's better than the Dragon Fly 2? Must be lighter and more functional for processing wood. This is more of a thought exercise as I could never bring myself to take so little into the wilderness.
 
Well, for me I'd rather pack a Morakniv Companion. It eats wood, is easier to clean, and also very light at 4.1 ounces.

If I had to stick with a folding knife for feathering, I'd consider a Cold Steel Tuff Lite at 2.5 ounces. It's got a strong lock and a relatively ergonomic handle.
 
 
Another vote for a Mora. A light weight fixed blade makes far more sense than a tiny folder.
A Mora Basic is 2.79 oz and would be far more useful than a Dragonfly.

I have a couple of Dragonflies. I wouldn't choose one for woods work and I would not choose to carry one as a backpacking knife.
 
lieferung said:
Spyderco Bug... doesn't get smaller and lighter than that
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MolokaiRider said:
Well, for me I'd rather pack a Morakniv Companion. It eats wood, is easier to clean, and also very light at 4.1 ounces.

If I had to stick with a folding knife for feathering, I'd consider a Cold Steel Tuff Lite at 2.5 ounces. It's got a strong lock and a relatively ergonomic handle.
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gazz98 said:
Does it have to be a folder? There are a few skeletonized fixed blades that might work. They won't be a comfortable as a Mora as MolokaiRider MolokaiRider pointed out.

Linked from BHq for easy reference.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Ka-Bar-Skeleton-Fixed-Blade-Neck--36037
https://www.bladehq.com/item--ESEE-Gibson-Pinch-Fixed-Blade-Neck--89891
https://www.bladehq.com/item--ESEE-Candiru-Olive-Fixed-Blade-Neck--11662


https://www.bladehq.com/item--Morakniv-Eldris-Pocket-Size-Fixed--35334
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Morakniv-Basic-511-Fixed-Blade--117785
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knarfeng said:
Another vote for a Mora. A light weight fixed blade makes far more sense than a tiny folder.
A Mora Basic is 2.79 oz and would be far more useful than a Dragonfly.

I have a couple of Dragonflies. I wouldn't choose one for woods work and I would not choose to carry one as a backpacking knife.
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kobold said:
I agree with everyone suggesting a fixed blade. But just as a thought experiment, I would still prefer a Chaparral, or better yet a LW Native to the DF2 in the woods, because they feel better in my hand.
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From OP:

NeedItCheaper said:
With that said, what's the lightest knife you can think of that's better than the Dragon Fly 2? Must be lighter and more functional for processing wood.
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Here is yet another recommendation for the Mora Companion. It's pretty light for the amount of knife you get. It's also very inexpensive for the level of quality you get.

The only thing I really don't like about the Companion is the sheath. RK Custom Kydex makes an excellent replacement sheath. It doesn't cost much, makes the Companion carry more compactly, and offers a lot of options for how to carry it.
 
unwisefool said:
Don't cheap out on a knife. Bring one that can handle anything.
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Agreed, but this is more a thought experiment. If an ultra-light camper is going to bring the lightest knife known to man that can still be functional during an emergency to process wood, what knife would it be. And for everyone presenting arguments against, you've already lost because the person I'm referring to is unmoved by just about all reason. It must be within his weight limit, which is basically air. But it's a fun topic to discuss.
gazz98 said:
Does it have to be a folder? There are a few skeletonized fixed blades that might work. They won't be a comfortable as a Mora as MolokaiRider MolokaiRider pointed out.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Ka-Bar-Skeleton-Fixed-Blade-Neck--36037
Click to expand...
I don't think it must be a folder. Lighter than 1.3oz and more functional for processing wood. Is the 1.18oz listed with sheath or without?

MolokaiRider said:
What is your suggestion? I can't think of much that's lighter and better for feather-sticking.
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The Dragon Fly 2 is my best one, but still not as light as 0.8oz. I just found this on Blade HQ Fox Knives Livri which has a thicker blade and micarta handles for a total of 1.28oz.
 
Yeah... that would work great for all those times that you find yourself in a pencil forest! 🙃
 
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