Daily Carry Under $100?

V

V44

Joined
Feb 10, 2000
Messages
91
Need advice, please. Have narrowed it down to the following one of which I'll be ordering this week, so this is not hypothetical help I am looking for, but real input:

Wegner Jr.
Calypso Jr. Lightwt. Zytel
Dragonfly Carbon Fiber
Benchmade 750 Pinnacle


Have not handled any of the above, but have handled a full-sized Wegner and loved its solidity and feel, but want to carry something smaller (though I am considering the Benchmade 750 because of its Ti handles and integral lock). The Wegner made a lot of other knives that I had been considering seem flimsy, but as far as blade shape I like the Calypso and Dragonfly better. Lock back or liner lock, no preference.

Chime in if you can offer advice, thanks.


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Dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
 
I usually carry benchmade knives, but I would choose the wegner jr. from your list.

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Steve
 
Choosing from your list, if you want the most efficient cutter and the best steel, I'd go with the Calypso Jr. Lightweight. That flat-ground VG-10 blade is really something. It's probably not the most bomb proof knife on your list, but who cares, right?

You could make a strong case for either the Pinnacle or the Wegner, too. Getting a killer edge on the Pinnacle will probably take some doing, but once you get it sharpenened for performance it'll be a nice knife.

Between the Calypso Jr. and the Dragonfly, I'd say it's no contest. Go with the Calypso Jr. Unless you are operating under a very restrictive blade-length policy.

We could help you more if we knew what your intended uses are.

I hope this helps.

David Rock

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AKTI Member # A000846
Stop when you get to bone.

[This message has been edited by David Rock (edited 03-20-2000).]
 
From your list I'd also go with the Wegner Jr. The Pinnacle is nice, but handle one before you buy. Watch the QC...
 
Originally posted by David Rock:
We could help you more if we knew what your intended uses are.
Click to expand...

Thanks David, my intended use is pretty simple: everyday pocket carry. I've carried a scout type knife or an SAK for nearly 50 years and am tired of it clinking around in my pocket against keys, change what have you. Tried a leatherman but don't always wear a belt. Always have a pocket though or at least something that a clip would clip onto. So in the end I want a utility knife, one that can do most chores from cutting rope to opening packages to a bit of whittling if the mood strikes. Also I'd like to be able to carry it through airports and onto planes, so non-serrated, under 3" blade length is what I suppose would pass; anyway, something that is as close to non-threatening as I can get without it being one of those French cheese and apple knives. A clip that I can rely on not breaking off or coming loose would be nice as well, although I am competent enough to locktite the screws should I have too. As for sharpening, I can sharpen my Fallkniven and that is VG-10 on the extra-fine EZElap bench stone I've grown accustomed to.

BTW have you experience with any of the knives I've listed?

Thanks again for listening and helping out.
 
One of the touted properties of VG10 is its resistance to corrosion. From your sidebar (Coastal Waters) that might be a factor to consider.
 
I just got a Benchmade 856. I think it's pretty much perfect for your purposes. The 856 has black G10 handles, and the 855 has multi-color aluminum handles, which would be even more non-threatening. The blade is nice and thin for easy cutting, and is 2.8".

--JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com
 
Originally posted by e_utopia:
I The blade is nice and thin for easy cutting
Click to expand...

I clicked around a bit to take a look at the Benchmade offerings that you suggest and found you wondering about the edge texture of the Pardue you have. No answer was posted, but did you hear anything via other channels? And what specially do you mean by the edge texture--something to do with Benchmade's factory sharpening technique?
 
Seen the new Plain edge Native II? Same handle as Police model, but just now started making with plain edge... Got one on order

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Mark, Isiah 40:31 They that wait on the LORD shall mount up with wings as eagles...
 
The actual sharpened surface looks almost like it was sanded. What some might call 'micro-serrated.' I think they use a powered stone (one of those widgets with the two stone wheels which are spun by a motor) to sharpen their knives. I guess that would save a lot of time (i.e., money) during production, and might explaine some of the complaints about BM's sharpening.

Out of the box, the knife would shave arm hair, but not smoothly (i.e., there would still be about 1/8" of each hair remaining), and would not dry-shave my face (how many of you regularly try this with a new knife? how many have at least considered it?). I happen to be away from my sharpening equipment at the moment, or I would fix the edge easily.

Unless you have no ability to sharpen a knife, and actually intend to use BM's 'life-sharp' service rather than sharpen the knife yourself, that is no reason not to buy a knife.

--JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com
 
I just looked at the Wegner Jr. last week. Very nice knife. I almost bought one(they were on sale). You'll be happy with it.


Blades
 
V44,

You asked if I have any experience with the knives in question. I own and carry every day a plain-edged Calypso Jr. Lightweight. I also have one in Black Micarta. These are truly great knives. The Micarta version is beautiful, smooth and classy. Really feels good to the touch. The Lightweight has better blade steel (VG-10 as opposed to AUS-8)--better at least in terms of edge holding and a more grippy handle texture. The Calypso Jr. is a very useful and practical design. It'll do all of the things you mentioned. The blade shape and grind together give you an accute point and a thinner-than-average edge, which means you can really cut stuff with this knife: no hacking or sawing is necessary; it really cuts! I like the Calypso Jr. for slicing bagles and apples.

I have owned the 750 Pinnacle as well. This knife is sturdy, but in my opinion it's not as well suited for the kinds of cutting we seem to be talking about. The blade is much thicker, including the edge, so it won't cut as efficiently as the Calypso. Also, you don't get much of a point. If you plan to cut out newspaper articles and slit open packaging, you'll like the Calypso better. Also, the Pinnacle will probably not get past airport security checkpoints as reliably as the smaller knives on your list.

Of all the knives on your list, only the Calypso Jr. (Lightweight version only) gives you the option of switching the clip to either side, and it has steel inserts for the screws. Very nice.

The Calypso Jr. and the Dragonfly are small enough and light enough to carry conveniently in a shirtpocket. (Reinforce the pocket with an appropriately sized square of notebook plastic.) This is an important advantage if you like to have access to
a knife while seated in office or car.

I've handled the Dragonfly. It's a good knife, but I'd go for something a bit bigger, given a choice.

Did I leave anything out?

Oh, and did I say I like the Calypso Jr.?
smile.gif


David Rock

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AKTI Member # A000846
Stop when you get to bone.
 
Since you mentioned you are looking for something smaller than the Wegner and that you like the Wegners feel then by all means get the Wegner Jr! Its deep hollow grind makes up for any advantage of a flat grind in terms of slicing ability. I' ve used both the Jr. and the Calypso Jr. and I prefer the Wegner Jr. I find its ample belly is more suitable for my type of uses; its finger choil minimzes any forward slippage of hand; and its full steel rear spacer gives enough heft for light pommeling. I think you' ll like it.

L8r,
Nakano
 
I can`t speak for the Wegner and the Pinnacle but I have a Dragonfly LW serrated and a Calypso LW Jr. plain edge. The Calypso is everything the Dragonfly is and more. I bought it as a PC daily carry knife but I liked it so much that it pushed out my trusty ol BM Panther as my daily work knife too. The edge geometry is great and it seems to hold an edge forever. I used to have to sharpen my Panther every week because by then it was pretty dull. I used the Calypso Jr.LW for 3 weeks before I noticed it wouldn`t shave anymore,it still felt sharp and cut materials just as well as ever,it just wouldn`t shave. I gave it a few light strokes on a ceramic rod and it was scary sharp again! That was a few weeks ago and it`s still super sharp. For a daily use knife it`s hard to beat. Marcus
 
I have to vote for the Calypso jr. lightweight. It is featherlight, extremely sharp, and defintely pocket sized. Plus you can buy two Calypsos for the price of one Pinnacle.
 
Specific to your list, I bet you'll carry the Dragonfly most often, followed by the Wegner.
Some other sub-$100 "daily carry" knives to consider are:
Vero Beach M-UDT
Spyderco Pegasus
Spyderco Navigator
Spyderco Toad
Spyderco Standard G-10
Spyderco Rookie
S/S Dragonfly
All of these are smaller than the Wegner Jr, but you don't always need that big of a blade.
Have fun shopping!
Bill
 
Hello!

I just emptied my pockets:
Calypso jr ltwt and Carbonfiber Dragonfly
smile.gif


I have the CF Dragonfly always as It is so small that polices don't consider that as knife and I assume that co-workers are not overly afraid.

Calypso jr ltwt is better suited for daily chores although dragonfly is surprisingly large when needed.

Actually once (about four weeks ago) I thought that a female co-worker might panic if I use large calypso and hence took dragonfly out to cut something. Se said WHAT a BIG PUUKKO(puukko may be used generally in finland insted of veitsi=knife) you have there (in finnish of course). I was amazed and told her that this is a wery small knife and showed it to her. She answered "but it is so sharp!"
Do this mean that sharp knives are big? I don't know but if dragonfly is too big for her taste it would have been the same to use large calypso
wink.gif
.


After all buy Calypso jr ltwt
 
Thanks for all the input so far. Been very helpful. I have narrowed it down to three of the four I listed at the top. The Pinnacle has dropped off the list, but I am having a hard time finding a Wegner Jr. (Plain) or a Carbon fiber Dragonfly (Plain).

Does the carbon fiber dragonfly have a metal clip? Can't seem to find info on this specific setup.

If I can't find the dragonfly or the Wegner Jr., I'll have a Calypso Jr. Lightweight in the mail later today.

I wish I could afford all three.

All your comments have been super, and I sure appreciate the fact that you all have hands-on experience, and that some of you are carrying these exact knives yourselves. Makes me feel like I've made the right choices.

 
CF Dragonfly should be available at discountknives.com - at least they list it.

I got mine from 'for sale' forum. Actually there was one for sale yesterday.
 
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