Cricket or Dragonfly?

S

Siggyhk

Joined
Feb 8, 2006
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Considering these two knives as my main one-handed, pocket-clipped knife.
Carry would be IWB, cliped in pocket and occationally in pocket.
If I went with the Cricket, it'd likely be stainless with plain edge, but I've also considered SE. The Dragonfly would likely be white and almost definately plain edged. Would the etched Cricket reduce weight/thickness and/or add any significant grip to the knife? I also like the lava, but it's a bit pricier than the other two.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
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The cricket a SE is an excellent choice. A SE lends itself to this sized knife. I EDC one and love it. It can handle much bigger chores than one would think for a knife this small. I like the stainless because its narrow profile when riding in my pocket (clipped or unclipped) and slides easily out of the pocket. Although I have been tempted I don't any experience with the Dragonfly (although when a G-10 version comes out next year I will probably bite). I haven't felt the need for a larger EDC than the cricket. It fits perfectly for my need although your milage may vary. Whatever you decide its a Spyderco and you will get something that works. I am not sure about white though. Looks good on screen but when EDC it will probably dirty up easy.
 
That's a tough choice. I prefer the clip on the cricket and it's thinner than the dragonfly so sometimes its more comfy in the pants pending on the pants. The dragonfly is just so comfy in use though and the white looks great and is a bit disarming to some folk. Again a tough choice for me; however, I think you will be pleased with either :)
 
The Dragonfly is beautiful in the white FRN and is a great little utility cutter, but I enjoy the Cricket's thinness, relative lightweight, frame lock, and unique, quasi-mean blade shape. If I was caught between the two, I'd lean towards the Cricket without too much hesitation.
 
I've never used either, but I've tested in my pocket and held them. I like the dargonfly because it has a larger handle. Looks better too.
 
I have both, the d'fly is in black FRN, cricket is PE. The cricket is more fun and easier to flick open, but I find myself carrying the dragonfly much more often simply because of the practical blade shape and I believe the d'fly is actually lighter, and easier to carry deep in the pocket where I have mine. Not sure if the etching would do anything besides adding aesthetic appeal.
 
I would go with the Dragonfly.
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I have a SE Cricket and had a PE Dragonfly. Both great knives, of course.

The Cricket is smaller, lighter, and doesn't print in the pocket as a knive due to its oval shape (I carry it deep pocket). It's one of the best knives out there for opening packages, including otherwise difficult clam packs.

The Dragonfly is sort of a mini-Calypso, Jr. It's flat ground leaf-shaped blade makes it an excellent slicer, and the ergos are superb. The Dragonfly is a better choice for slicing an apple or opening mail, for example.

Can't go wrong with either, especially now that the SS Dragonfly is available in VG-10.
 
I thank you all for your input. I'm still up in the air, I guess, but leaning heavily towards the Dragonfly. Thing is, I know I'll like it, but I'm not sure about the Cricket. I'd probably like it too, especially the thinness, but the odd overall shape makes me hesitant.
I actually have a Caly Jr I'm looking to move becuase it's just a little big for my needs. I love the knife though and have no faults with it other than wanting a smaller knife. I think, that as KeithAM pointed out, the similarities between it and the DF will make me happy with the smaller knife.
But then, part of me also says I should get the Cricket, give it a try, and see what happens with the Dragonfly upgrade down the road. I don't know. I hate picking new knives. -Only because I have to "pick" them. Anyhow, thanks again.
 
To me, the choice between a Dragonfly and Cricket is a Complete No-Brainer.

I have a Dragonfly ordered and shipped that should most likely be in my hands tomorrow (had hoped it would show today, but :( ).

I have never handled the Cricket, but I have to agree with:

Siggyhk said:
.... the odd overall shape makes me hesitant.
Click to expand...

..... although, my thoughts and feelings against the Cricket and for the Dragonfly seem MUCH less questionable (night and day obvious to me...)


Without honestly ever handling it, there are a "Few" things that bug me about the Cricket:

First: the blade, shape. That hook point is WAY more limited in function and use. It should be great for string and tags off of clothing... and not much else??? :confused:

*** Conversely, the shallow bellied flat grind blade of the Dragonfly is "IDEAL" IMO and the best blade shape and blade grind for folder IMO.

Two: based on looks and dimensions, but also based on having handled and owned many hundreds of knives, the Cricket does not appear to have any handle ergos of appeal to me.

*** Conversely, the ergos of the Dragonfly look exceptional for a knife it's size. I should hopefully be able to confirm this tomorrow!

I would have to describe the Cricket as "Cutesy". And I don't personally care for "Cutesy". I like and want good looking knives, but I want function and ergos first and as standard mandatory criteria in my knives. The Cricket looks to me to fail in both of my standard mandatory criteria for my needs. And honestly, while I call the Cricket "Cutesy", I really don't even like the looks at all.... But, to each their own.

I would admit that the Cricket has slightly less front, deep-pocket "print" with it's smaller size.

But, based on a lot of experience, I have determined that about 3.25" closed knives is about the max closed knife handle that I care to carry in front deep-pocket carry. - Especially, for dress pants.
With Dress pants, I would be fine with a 2.75" -3.0" handle for less pocket print. And I will say that the Cricket seems to at least offer a functional 3 finger grip... which I could live with for a small knife.
But, since the choil design on the Dragonfly allows the index finger to choke up slightly past the handle, the Dragonfly should allow for even more control with the 4th finger (little finger) to balance out and control the tail end of the handle. That fourth finger control is HUGE compared to a 3 finger grip on a knife. So, to me, it appears the Dragonfly would offer a much more secure and more comfortable grip than the Cricket. ... Along with a MUCH better and more versatile blade design, that I still feel is "Just" small enough for front deep-pocket carry.


**** But, wait... there's more!!! With all of those advantages (IMO) that the Dragonfly has over the Cricket, the FRN Dragonfly only weighs (exactly) 2/3 or 66.666666 percent the weight of the Cricket. So, much less noticable in weight which especially matter with dress pants.

Dragonfly in FRN = 33 grams (*Stainless handled knives are MUCH heavier - Stainless Dragonfly = 73 grams! - Why I want a nice looking CF Dragonfly! ;) )

Cricket = 49.5 grams

--------

I could also add, but seems obvious to me... I think the Dragonfly is WAY more versatile in pretty much all possible ways. Further, I see many more realistic opportunities to justify carrying the Dragonfly. With the FRN model (assuming the clip is reasonably functional), I also see the Dragonfly as being a good knife for minimalist lightweight casual carry like when wearing light shorts or sweats for the gym and such. (I live in Texas... It gets hot!). .... Still hoping for a CF Dragonfly with Deep-pocket styled wire clip for best all-around options.

.
 
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I've got both. Cricket SE...hands down.

It wasn't until I went with the SE Cricket that I discovered the true genious of the design. I have had the PE version for a few years and carried it off and on but never really bonded with it. The SE makes this knife! You won't be disipointed.
 
My Cricket SE is an incredible knife. The S blade is exceptional at opening packages and cutting line. It's also awesome as an "xacto" blade in a pinch. You can't cut a loaf of bread with it but I've never done that with a Spyderco and probably never will.

The Cricket has screwed construction, a real clip, adjustable pivot, and a very nice liner lock. Don't pass it up!

And also, the SE version is the way to go. A nice big PE chunk at the tip of the blade for fine cuts and the rest is a demon!!!
 
I have both in SS. The Cricket is a two finger "pen" knife, where you grip the handle between your thumb and pointer finger in a pen like grip. It is useful for small, light cutting. The Cricket is lighter, slimmer and smaller than the Dragonfly. I don't see it as an EDC knife due to the grip limitations.

The Dragonfly can be gripped in a pen grip or a two/three-finger+palm+thumb grip (shortened hammer grip), allowing much more force to be applied. It can be wielded almost as a full-size knife would be gripped and used.

Before I moved on to other knives, the Dragonfly was my EDC. A great small big knife.
 
I have both and in SS as well and the Dragonfly is the way to go IMHO. it is my EDC for the most part.
 
Add a fob to the "lanyard" hole of the Cricket, and most arguments against its grip vs. the D-Fly melt away.

The s-curve of the blade, especially in SE will yield more cutting edge.

The little curve near the tip will eat things like cardboard. I had no idea how well it would this until the mailman stuffed a box into my mailbox that was impossible to get out. This was a normal postal box so the box fit into the opposite side that the mail carrier opens, but the locked side that I had access to was smaller. This box is barely big enough to fit my hand in there. It was cramped and a normal knife would have had little leverage.

Since I knew what was in the box, I effortlessly sliced the box up enough to pull it through the box doorway.

I can't argue that one is better than the other. They are both something I would classify as "urban/suburban" knives or "office" knives as they are small enough to not hamper khaki or dress pants.

The D-fly is a more traditional shape and the Cricket has a bit of an art element. Sal said he tried to emulate a bit of the Yin/Yang symbol with the Cricket. IMO he succeeded. It is art and a tool. Art and function.

The best feature is the Cricket's thinness. I doubt there are many folders in the market as thin as the Cricket. It being thin and with its sturdy clip, it is great for IWB carry. The frn clip of the D-fly is obsolete.
 
I would suggest the cricket. I have an eteched SE cricket. I bought a a SE plain and an etched and did a swap just cause they didn't make this option. I love this little knife! ;)
 
Kind of like choosing an apple or an orange. Both good, but very different. I LOVE D'flies. Have 8. Light weight, super slicer, inexpensive. I have 1 Cricket. I prefer tip-up- The Cricket doesn't swing that way, therefore the lanyard is on the wrong side of my pocket if I use the clip. Solution- drop it in the coin pocket and forgo the clip. The "weird" blade is more useful than you may think.

Buy both if you can afford to.
 
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