Better knife than SpyderCo Dragon Fly 2?

soc_monki said:
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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And avoid Opinels! :)
 
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All I can think of is Jim Bowie and Davey Crockett having a discussion about how they wish they had a more dainty light knife while out on the frontier. I always got a kabar or a bowie while in the woods, if its a short day hike in a familiar spot probably an endura. A dragonfly is for a keychain or the office, definitely not the woods. Plenty of lightweight options in hiking gear. Cut the weight elsewhere.
 
"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)."

It sure does seem to punch well-above it's weight class.
 
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For a folder a Spyderco Salt 2 LC200N (Green) is light and strong at only 1.9 oz. It is the perfect lightweight knife for what you describe. However, a Mora Eldris gives you a small fixed blade (2") with a large enough handle and weighs only 2.1 oz. I'd rather have that. The whole knife is only 4.3 inches long and is designed for what you want.
 
soc_monki said:
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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Bob Denman said:
"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)."

It sure does seem to punch well-above it's weight class.
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In the destructive testing done by Cold Steel, it took 160 lbs hanging off the back of the handle for the Bugout to fail. That's my entire body weight, not accounting for leverage; in theory, I could stab the knife into a tree and hang from it. That seems strong enough for any realistic backpacking use.

 
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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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An Opinel No. 8 is 1.6 oz with about a 3.28 inch blade. I would much rather use one than a tiny thing like a Dragon Fly for wood processing.
 
I absolutely love my Dragonfly 2's, they are such great knives that punch way above their weight class.

I also love my Bugouts and my one Mini-Bugout.
 
This mora 510 is even lighter than companion and very capable
510-black_636x.jpg


Chaparral is otherwise a good folder choice. It's got steel liners and lightweight option.
DBIpPeE.jpg
 
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I’ve been extremely happy with my Dragonfly 2 Salt, can’t recommend for woods but it’s a rockstar at the beach!!! Why hasn’t anyone mentioned a Benchmade Altitude S90V, 1.67 ounces, with all the other fixed blade recommendations, other than the fact that it seems half of the knife world hates Benchmade and the other half loves them, lol.
 
I wouldn't want any less knife than either of these:
Folder
Spyderco Manix 2 LW- 3oz.
Fixed
White River Backpacker-2.5oz.
 
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My little Benchmade Valet is a bit more of a "Gentleman's Knife"...
But since I ain't northing like that: it also plays well in this crowd.
With M390 under the hood too!
 
John Phillips said:
I’ve been extremely happy with my Dragonfly 2 Salt, can’t recommend for woods but it’s a rockstar at the beach!!! Why hasn’t anyone mentioned a Benchmade Altitude S90V, 1.67 ounces, with all the other fixed blade recommendations, other than the fact that it seems half of the knife world hates Benchmade and the other half loves them, lol.
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I like the idea of the Altitude but I have never handled one and am not sure how to handle one. It looks like Benchmade forgot to put a handle on it.
 
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