Dragonfly ZDP-189 Blade Compatible with G10 Dragonfly Handle?

MaxFactor · Apr 26, 2013

Howdy folks,

The title pretty much says it all.

I've been using my ZDP-189 Dragonfly at work daily and I love the cutting ability and edge retention of the blade steel but I don't love the FRN handle. I was thinking about purchasing a G10 Dragonfly (and possibly another ZDP-189) and swapping the blade over but I'm not sure entirely sure the switch would go seamlessly. Anyone know for sure?

Blade and Flame · Apr 26, 2013

Probably not the certainty you're looking for, but I've seen examples of Frankenstein Dragonfly 2s in the G10/ZDP-189 configuration on eBay.

Alternatively, you could buy one of the new dealer exclusive DF2s in Nishijin and ZDP-189 shipping now.

kbuzbee · Apr 27, 2013

Which are drop dead gorgeous

Ken

eschwebach · Apr 27, 2013

I literally just ordered the Nishjin version a few minutes ago, I didn't even know they were coming. I can't wait!

kbuzbee · Apr 27, 2013

eschwebach said:
I literally just ordered the Nishjin version a few minutes ago, I didn't even know they were coming. I can't wait!

Yeah, they kinda surprised everyone. A week or two ago they just popped up and said "We're here!"

Great score. You're really gonna like it.

I've already taken mine to 26°. It was sharp before. Now?

Ken

(oh, to the OP, yeah, it should work. You'll probably have to swap the lock bar too. Some have, some haven't.)

arty · Apr 27, 2013

Who has the Dragonfly in ZDP and glass fiber?

Sharpnessis · Apr 27, 2013

I just ordered the nishijin too! Lol

blame it on god · Apr 27, 2013

arty said:
Who has the Dragonfly in ZDP and glass fiber?

I do, Why?

kbuzbee · Apr 27, 2013

arty said:
Who has the Dragonfly in ZDP and glass fiber?

Several places, but Howes does (or did?)

Ken

Kid Shamrock · Apr 27, 2013

I did a swap of a ZDP blade into G10 handle about a year ago. IIRC, I didn't swap the lock bar, just the blade. I think the G10 makes it a lot easier to handle.

MaxFactor · Apr 28, 2013

Blade and Flame said:
Alternatively, you could buy one of the new dealer exclusive DF2s in Nishijin and ZDP-189 shipping now.

I've been thinking about picking up one of those for my collection but it just seems too nice use it as a work knife.

Kid Shamrock said:
I did a swap of a ZDP blade into G10 handle about a year ago. IIRC, I didn't swap the lock bar, just the blade. I think the G10 makes it a lot easier to handle.

Good to hear that. I'm going to give it a go. I think the G10 will make it much nicer to use.

I guess I'll be ordering a G10 Dragonfly, a ZDP-189 Dragonfly, and a Nishijin Dragonfly. Gosh, and I was trying to cut down on my knife purchases.

DocT · May 17, 2013

Hi folks, I am sorry to be so late on this older thread but I have been thinking of doing the same thing. I just bought a G10 Dragonfly. That is a manly looking small pocket knife. I do, however, very much like the ZDP-189 and was thinking of buying the FRN and swapping the blades. How hard is it to do this?