dragonfly for lefty or other small folder

M

MonteroGraves

Joined
Jan 11, 2010
Messages
25
Hello everybody, I hope this is the right section. I tried searching and didn't see any dedicated forum/thread for lefties.

I'm a new member here and I'm looking to get a small EDC folder that has a blade no bigger than 2.5" and no more expensive than 35 dollars. I did quite a bit of research and I came across the spyderco dragonfly with FRN handle for 30 bucks and it seems like the best bang for my buck given my requirements. Light, hefty VG-10 blade, well constructed and of course like most spydercos just absolutely beautiful to look at however the FRN model has a big molded on clip and the side that a lefty would grip is completely flat. I don't have any knife stores around me that carries the knife so i can't try before I buy.

Anybody have any experience with this knife that wants to share their thoughts? The flat finish and clip look like it could be annoying for a lefty but then again maybe with a blade that small it doesn't matter because I will be able to still get a grip that's suitable for any duties such a small blade would handle. or maybe i could modify it like adding grip tape or putting a lanyard to help add grip. Also if it matters I have medium sized hands. about 7 inches from tip of middle finger to base of hand.

I imagine that most I'd be doing with it is cutting a rope or a car hose and the rest of the time i'd just have it for random small tasks that a city dweller might have to do that requires a blade.

and if anybody has any suggestions for a knife that's would be better than a dragonfly that also meets my criteria of a folder with a blade smaller than 2.5" and less than $35 i'd love to hear them. thanks!
 
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Welcome to Blade Forums MonteroGraves, I just pulled out my dragonfly and I'm right handed, so I tried opening left handedly and got it on my first try, then I gripped it in a left handed grip and I noticed that it was just as comfortable holding in my left hand as it was my right. I also have medium sized hands, and my middle finger and ring finger curled went over the clip and gripped the back of the handle no problem, my pinkie fell on the very end of the knife. When it comes to experiences with this knife, I don't really like the molded clip, it doesn't hold the knife tight to your pocket like a metal one would, put that shouldn't be a problem unless you are very active, the reason I say that is because one managed to fall out of my pocket one time while I was running.

Some other small knives in those price ranges that I have gotten the pleasure to own or use have been the Kershaw chive, scalion, and I even believe the JYD has a blade length that falls into that category. The JYD was one of my first knives and I have since gifted it to a friend so I can't right off the bat recall the blade the blade length but I know it wasn't to large, and it felt very good in hand.
 
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I'm a righty and did what hwpaitballer did and try mine with my left hand. It was not that hard to open so for you it should be fine. It's really a great bang for the buck knife. I liked the overall ergos and size of the FRN version so much I picked up a G10 version. The clip is not the greatest because it does not pinch securely but the size of the knife is such that it fits nicely in the pocket particularly the fifth coin pocket on most jeans.

Another nice little knife is the Boker Subcom.
 
thanks for the response guys. I did look at the boker but everyplace i looked at was about 30 bucks for it and the dragonfly looks like a much better bargain. I was also looking at the blade-tech mouse, ladybug, mini dozier, flatbyrd and SOG flash I and of those the mini-dozier seemed to be the next best bargain. Flash I looks nice but it is 5 bucks more and I don't know if I want to deal with the possible hassles from people/police if I carry a spring assisted knife. mini dozier looks good but for 13 more bucks I would want the look of the dragonfly and VG10 blade if it's comfortable for me to use.
 
and I can safely say the Dragonfly is my favorite EDC knife of all time. I've another one on the way cos my friend liked my first one so much that he bought it off me. The clip is not as obtrusive as you might think. It doesn't poke into the flesh as some clips might. Anyway, the size of the blade means it isn't meant for any long term hard use. I doubt you'd be gripping it hard and long enough for any hot spots to form.
 
The Dragonfly is the most comfortable knife for its size that I have ever tried. It's even more comfortable than many larger and more expensive ones as well. I think you'll be happy with it.
 
The dragonfly is a good knife for the price. I cut the pocket clip off with my hand pruners and just drop it in my pocket. I can't imagine a smaller, lighter knife that would fit my hand as well as the dragonfly.
 
I went ahead and ordered it. Thanks again for the help! This is my first knife and I can't wait to get it.

hoopster said:
The dragonfly is a good knife for the price. I cut the pocket clip off with my hand pruners and just drop it in my pocket. I can't imagine a smaller, lighter knife that would fit my hand as well as the dragonfly.
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I was thinking of just dremeling the handle off since people say it sits really comfortable in the pocket but I was also wondering if the whole clip was solid. I'd hate to try to take the clip off only to find out a portion of the clip that connects tot he handle is hollow and I end up with a big hole on the side of the handle. so is it indeed solid where the clip meets the handle?
 
the knife came in and I just want to say thanks again for the encouragement because this thing is everything I was expecting and more. Just absolutely perfect for my needs. this is my first knife and I'm glad it's a spyderco!
 
Being a lefty too I handled a Dfly at a local dealer. No problem at all opening it...I would have gotten one, despite the added price, if they had it in white. Sweet little blade.
 
MonteroGraves said:
I went ahead and ordered it. Thanks again for the help! This is my first knife and I can't wait to get it.



I was thinking of just dremeling the handle off since people say it sits really comfortable in the pocket but I was also wondering if the whole clip was solid. I'd hate to try to take the clip off only to find out a portion of the clip that connects tot he handle is hollow and I end up with a big hole on the side of the handle. so is it indeed solid where the clip meets the handle?
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Unless it has a manufacturing defect, the FRN handle and clip are solid. Spyderco used to cut off the remains of broken integral clips and screw on steel clips back in the day. I almost never use the clip on any of my Dragonflies (I have six). Great little knives.
 
Put a small lanyard on your Dragonfly , I found mine wanted to jump ship from being clipped to my pocket when getting in / out of a truck.
 
i noticed that I have some slight up and down play. it's a bit disappointing since I haven't really used it and hardest I used it was to cut off the corner of a bag of cat food which is something that should be well within the means of normal use for such a blade. Is there anything I can do or am I screwed because of the rivet design? I know it might not be a big deal but I haven't really used it and I fear it might get worse. 30 bucks was quite a bit for me to spend and I would expect a spyderco's lock up to be rock solid for longer than a week.
 
Do you mean side to side or back and forth bladeplay? Its possible you got a bit of a bum model. Mine is solid when locked but there is a tiny bit of play when halfway opened. Have you thought about contacting the dealer and using the warranty? I know it sucks to have to send it back but it is better to send it early on since it shows that it is defective rather than wait, try to fix it and then send it in. I have no experience with Spyderco customer service but I have heard it is good. Sorry I could not be more helpful.
 
the dragonfly is one of my favorite spyderco knives. for a small blade I think you can't go wrong withone.
 
I'd say hang on to the Dragonfly for a while. I've tried out the SOG Flash II (smaller version) and the bladeplay in that just killed it for me, as much as I like the knife itself. Maybe if I come across one at a real steal I'll get it but no way will I pay regular price for it.
I got the original FRN D'fly back in the late 90s and have had no issues with it and it's one of my most used folders. I picked up the G10 version a few months ago and it does have slight up and down bladplay if you press on the blade. I can live with it though, if it was side to side I'd have an issue.
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