Dragonfly needs to be updated - Need input

I´d say:
Steel upgrade, like VG10.

Add Boye dent, due to the slim grip I exert more pressure than usual in the lock area.

Ambi clip for left and right handed carry.

For FRN version, apart from the Boye dent, ambi clip and better steel, I´d too like to see more color.

No other changes necessary!

Wouter
 
what PiterM said - "Black, polished MICARTA handle, black clip with "gold spyder" logo and VG-10 steel would be great." Exactly. And no Boye detent! Liner-lock would be nice, but unlikely it seems. Too much re-tooling.

EDIT - this thread got me too hungry, so I bought an SS fly on Ebay cheap. The one thing I would like to add, as a design change, is that the clip is positioned pretty low. It would definitely be better higher up, less knife showing out of pocket. Also, in my opinion this knife would be much better if set up for tip-DOWN carry. Finally, I really do not like the Boye detent on my SS fly. It makes it much more difficult to unlock, I really have to concentrate on the lock to get it to disengage. And when open, the lock does not connect with the hand's grip in a way that threatens to unlock it, so the Boye detent isn't really necessary. It's a functional negative without a functional positive - and although some people may prefer the way that it looks, I don't, at least not on the fly. My .02.

edited to add yet another idea: the clip on a knife this small doesn't need to be as big and obtrusive as it is. Something thinner, more pen-clip looking, would be sufficient and allow higher placement of the clip to boot. I dunno if Spyderco already has the tooling for a smaller clip or not.
 
I see alot of folks don't want the dent.I really don't care for it either.I had a Native that was very hard to disengage the lock becuase of the dent,almost took two hands.
 
Sal, I'll have to go with Anthony's suggestions for a steel upgrade and perhaps more colors added to the FRN choices. Since I gave away my FRN Dragonfly to a friend a while back, I'll be on the market for another in the next year.

As far as the Boye Dent goes, I'm not sure. I've had no problem with the dents on my Delicas that have them, and my Natives sure need them. My Endura trainer works well with the dent. Just don't know about the Dragonfly, since I'm not handling one right now. But it is more of a "gent's folder" than a "tactical," so I'd probably not push the dent.

As far as the wire clip, I don't like the one on my Meerkat too much. It seems too grippy and hard to use to me. I haven't tried the Native III yet. Ambi clips are a great idea, but I'm also a fan of the old FRN clips.

Karl
 
First, my bias/customer profile ==> Hi, I'm Rob, and I'm a steel junkie. [Hi Rob]

Steel upgrade: I guess it might depend on where you have it made Sal. But S30V is an easy first choice for me personally. Followed by some chrome-enhanced D2 (D2E) if Spyderco can buy that stuff in bulk, in sizes you need. If made in Japan, well, I guess VG-10 seems to be popular, and a small upgrade from ATS-55 (let the flames begin).
 
Steel upgrade needed... Vg-10 if made in Japan. If I'm allowed to get unrealistic then ZDP-189 or Cowry X.:p

If you actually want to bring it to US shores, S30V all the way, or maybe some D2, but S30V before D2 please.

I would keep the boye detent. I think it is one of the things that have made Spyderco's lockbacks more reliable then liner locks, axis lock, and others. However, since this isn't really a "heavier use" model...I'm not really sure how much it matters.


Now if I can get even more unrealistic, how bout some bone handles? Or possibly Micarta or G10?
-Kevin
 
Originally posted by Sal Glesser
What will make it jump higher and run faster?
What will make it more user friendly and ergonomic?
What will make it more attractive?? (It has been said that I design in the dark. This question would be for those of you that buy in the light).

Other than that, push the envelope. no rules.
sal
Click to expand...

Okay - this is one of my favorite Spyderco designs. So, what don't I like about it?

The SS version is heavy for its size. If you were to go from a lockback design to an integral lock design such as on the SS Cricket - this should save some weight. Or, if you want to stay with a lock back, mill the handle such as on the Navigator to drop the weight. Blade stock could be 0.5 mm thinner in my opinion, and would save more weight.

Or, get radical, go to a Ti Salsa design, with integral compression lock and open back! I love everything about the Ti Salsa except the short, stubby blade design. A Ti Dragonfly would be deliver a similar cutting edge but offer the nice point of the Dragonfly design.


On the FRN side - go to a compression lock. I never liked the FRN lockbacks. This is both a preference for compression lock performance and also an appearance issue. A dark green FRN or light blue FRN would be good Dragonfly colors.

If you can go Micarta - burgundy or ivory would both be great. Ivory micarta is one of the most under-utilized in the factory knife market. It looks great and take a look at Ebay - Ivory Micarta factory knives demand a huge premium at all levels.
 
Concerning SS Dragonfly:

UPGRADE A:
a moderate one but exotic - ZDP-189 steel , SS handle the same as it is;

UPGRADE B:
a moderate, logical - VG-10/S30V/BG-42 steel, SS handle the same as it is; my preference: BG-42

UPGRADE C:
towards Sebenza - ZDP-189/BG-42/S30V steel, Titanium handle.

All upgrades keep the same lock in the SS version.

Franco
 
Architect, do you think that a compression lock would work well on knife with a frame as small as the Dragonfly's? The Salsa, for instance is a much more hand filling knife than the Dragonfly.
 
Sal,
I think that the Dragonfly is one excellent knife, in fact, my Spyder. I think that the blade is perfect, no improvements, same with the handle design. I think that blue G-10 would be really nice as would micarta. And whereas it would be an engineering feat, the ball bearing lock would be awesome.
Matt
 
get rid of the stainless handles - or any metal handle. Offer the plain blade - I have not seen one, but have bought the serrated versions for each of my kids.
Love the Boye dent; go to better steel maybe, although AUS-8 I like alot. Maybe fancier FRN handle akin to the Native three handle.:D
 
The only improvement I can think of would be G-10 scales with a grippy finish. Any color!
 
Just got a new ss fly today! great knife, but here's a few thoughts:
Mine has the Boye dent
Add tip down carry (Spydie drop), and clip closer to edge of handle, deeper seated in pocket.
Add pinkie shelf
SV30 would be nice, maybe too mush to ask givin the price point.

Just some thoughts
:)
 
I personally would like to see a small(!) guard instead of the tiny index finger notch between the handle and the blade. That would make one of the best small tactical folders out there even better (in addition to the Dragonfly being a great utility knife I think it's a good SD design as well).
 
This great little knife has been my EDC for a long time!
I also owned the gen 1 model. Carry lastest plain blade
now. I don't know how it could be improved? New steel?
The low price makes it a winner!!!
Fits my smaller hand great.
I've tried many other knives as EDC, but keep coming
back to this great little knife.
Thought about a SS model, but I like the light weight
standard knife.
mm
 
For the blade itself, like most people here, VG-10 would be my personal choice.

As for the rest, contrary to most people, I'd like to see a small heavy duty knife. To me, the blade length is not an issue. In fact, the smaller the better. The sub-2in blade is actually quite useful (probably even more so up here in Canada). However, I still want to use it hard.

So for me, stainless handles are attractive (adds strength), and maybe migrating to a compression lock if it increases lock strength.

I like Sal's philosophy for the Lil' Temperance - heavy duty in a small package. I'd just like to see the concept pushed even further with the Dragonfly.

Guy
 
I've never owned or handled a Dragonfly - one of the reasons is the back end of the handle. The curves and angles strike me as odd. I'm sure the handle is super-ergo, but it's not visually appealing. Also, I love my Delica and didn't see the need to go down to a smaller size.

Anyway, VG-10 is probably a good step up. AUS works, but most people probably won't go out of their way for a knife made out it.

To keep the same price point, a redesigned pattern on a FRN handle would be nice. A color change to dark navy would be fairly conservative, yet still more interesting than black.

As far as fancy handle material, I think micarta would be the way to go. It looks great, is elegant on a small knife, and fills a bit of a gap in the Spyderco handle lineup. Then again, maybe micarta isn't all that common because the micarta sprints don't sell well.

How about stabilized wood materials? A natural grain would look great. Striped Dymondwood would be crazy. But I have no clue about shaping and strength issues with these materials.

Final crazy idea - some sort of stylized pivot. A jewel would look dumb on a $40 knife with a FRN handle, but perhaps you could make a die that patterns the pivot when you press-fit the knife together. It'd be different, and (maybe?) not all that expensive.

By the way.....I just looked at a picture of the dragonfly to refresh my memory.....the awesome blade shape may overcome my handle qualms. I think I need to do some shopping!!! :D
 
I think Dragonfly has very well balanced solid design in terms of shapes and lines.

I'll vote for Hollow Grind blade and CPM S90V (may be even ZDP-189?) plus VG10.

Handle a bit thicker and round and havier will be nice too. My opinion - knives are for comfortable cutting (long time) and then for comfortable fitting into the jeans pocket.

Please, do not change the shapes.

In addition to classic blade shape (already perfect) it may be kind of Native or Chinook type of blade.

Thanks, Vassili.

Crazy idea: make it two bladed opened on different sides - one side as it is now, other Kerambit.
 
I would keep the flat grind, FRN, lockback and Boye dent.

Upgrade steel to S30V or VG10.

Add tip DOWN metal clip to FRN version.

Make rear of handle slightly more rounded.



- Frank
 
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