Better knife than SpyderCo Dragon Fly 2?

NeedItCheaper said:
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.
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I can't recommend the Livri. I had one and returned it. The pivot is contoured to fit the contours of the handles, which would be fine, but the pivot spins and the contours won't match and sharp edges will be exposed. Maybe I got a dud, but I'm not the only one to return one for this reason. It's also just a slipjoint. I personally wouldn't use a slipjoint for what you're talking about - fixed or locking folding only.
 
I go as light as possible for backpacking. Though not an “ultralighter,” I have a bad leg and every ounce matters.

Most of my backpacking has been in areas where open fires are prohibited. In those areas, I used to only carry a lightweight folder, like a Delica or Native 5 LW. I think either of those are worth the minimal weight penalty over the Dragonfly.

The N5LW has become my favorite as it’s more robust and the forward choil allows for excellent leverage for heavier use.

I’ve done a few trips to places that allow fires, and used a light weight fixed blade for firewood processing. It was doable, but a pain in the butt!

if you are going to be processing wood for fires on a regular basis, a lightweight folding saw is amazing, and also VERY much worth the weight penalty IMO.

From now on, it’s the saw and N5LW for me. As cool as it is to have a fixed camp knife, it’ll stay home to save the ounces. (Damned bad leg!!,)



 
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NeedItCheaper said:
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.
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The Bugout. At 1.8 ounces it will do anything you can do with a folder and if you can feel the difference in weight between it and a dragonfly I will be impressed.


or a white river backpacker at 2.5 ounces.
 
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MolokaiRider said:
What about an Opinel 4 at 0.32 ounces, or for a bit more hand-filling, an Opinel 5 at 0.56 ounces?

The handle is neutral and the blade does great with wood.
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How does the Opinel 5 weigh .6 ounces and the 5 weight 1.2 ounces?
 
The Spyderco Atlantic Salt FFG weighs 2.3oz and has a 3.68" blade. It has about the same blade/weight ratio as the Bugout, but is a far sturdier and more capable tool. It's also available in LC200N, which is an ideal steel for an outdoor folder.
 
I’d suffer the extra 0.2oz and go with a Mini Bugout, which has much better blade:weight ratio (the extra weight gets you more than a half-inch of extra blade).
 
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353 said:
From OP:
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Read the second line in my original response.
I do not consider the Dragonfly to be adequate for the work.

A long time ago when I was a young man, I used to backpack for days at a time. Among other things, I learned that it was better to add a couple of ounces and have an adequate tool than to go absolutely minimalist in weight and have something that does not perform the needed function. So "Dragonfly" is not in the running, even as a starting point.
 
The Dragonflies don't use any washers or bearings; when you get the FRN scales. It's just "Steel through plastic" construction.
 
knarfeng said:
... A long time ago when I was a young man, I used to backpack for days at a time. Among other things, I learned that it was better to add a couple of ounces and have an adequate tool than to go absolutely minimalist in weight and have something that does not perform the needed function. So "Dragonfly" is not in the running, even as a starting point.
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Experience has brought a lot of people to the same conclusion. I get the concept behind going ultra-light but you can't assign an arbitrary limit to a gear category until you answer the fundamental questions: Why am I carrying this type of gear? What do I expect of this type of gear? What might I end up asking of this piece of gear in the circumstances I might encounter?

Do a deep dive on these questions. There are real benefits to going a little larger. There are also real benefits to going fixed over folding. Sure, you might pick up a few ounces but everything has a cost. I've known ultra-light guys who've paid big money to shave little bits of weight of different gear categories. Well, let that create a nice margin to splurge on a few ounces where it counts.

My stainless Mora Companion with two soft loops and a kydex sheath from RK Custom Kydex weighs a total of 5.135 ounces. It's a 4" fixed blade with a very comfortable handle. It's a joy to use. It can handle most things you'd ask of a knife, including emergency defensive use. I wouldn't use it for heavy batoning but even if you did, it's still a lot better than most folders.
 
DMG said:
That is the weights I saw. The #6 is 1/2 an inch longer and twice the weight?
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I would guess that is due to the twist lock being added to the 6, along with the added overall size.
 
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HP2114B said:
The Spyderco Atlantic Salt FFG weighs 2.3oz and has a 3.68" blade. It has about the same blade/weight ratio as the Bugout, but is a far sturdier and more capable tool. It's also available in LC200N, which is an ideal steel for an outdoor folder.
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I have both knives and love both but I am 100% sure the Bugout is stronger. The salt is just a screw or pin through plastic and the blade.
 
DMG said:
I have both knives and love both but I am 100% sure the Bugout is stronger. The salt is just a screw or pin through plastic and the blade.
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The Bugout only has a "short liner" under the scales.
 
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DMG said:
i know. it is a lot better than zero liner.
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I agree 100%, and should have said so.
For the record: I own 2 Dragonflies, and a Mini-Bugout.
 
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DMG said:
The Bugout. At 1.8 ounces it will do anything you can do with a folder and if you can feel the difference in weight between it and a dragonfly I will be impressed.


or a white river backpacker at 2.5 ounces.
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Just watch Dutch bushcraft knives and see what a bugout can do... It would be my choice for an ultralight. And I don't even like the bugout, but that knife is way more stout and capable than it looks (or feels).
 
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