Recommendation? Help Me Choose! Small folder, Spyderco or Benchmade?

SAK Huntsman.
It has scissors to cut the loose threads and any cord, twine, and wild hairs you come across.
The SAC Classic also has scissors, but might be a wee bit small for the cheese cutting/slicing.
 
I highly recommend the Dragonfly in ZDP-189. It's a sweet knife. And the small size is deceiving. Because of the forward finger choil, you get a full grip on the knife and it cuts like crazy.

Check this out for the functionality of the little Dragonfly 2.

 
drtom said:
I am really looking for a general use knife for everyday use that is extremely unobtrusive in my pocket. The reason for my choices... the Dragonfly 2 gets very high marks all across the board from virtually every review. I am not sure if I have the right tool to keep it sharp (I have a Spyderco Sharpmaker). I have only ever used plain edge pocket knives (in the past I have had Opinels and SAKs. I have a few Opinels around the house, but I find them too cumbersome for my pocket). I stumbled across the Lil Lum online and I find it extremely attractive. I also really like the leaf shaped blade because I think it would work well as a small picnic knife. However I am unsure about the ergonomics of the Lil Lum. The Benchmade was recommended by a friend who is a Benchmade fanatic. I really like how dressy the Benchmade is. It looks like a real gentleman’s knife to me. But I am certainly open to other possibilities. Price isn’t really an issue. Key issues for me are size (I really don’t want anything bulky), and usability for general utility knife work and occasional picnic abilities. I love my cricket for cutting boxes and removing staples, but it is not great for food slicing or pencil sharpening. I would stick with my Opinels, but they take up too much pocket space.
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I have a blue nishijin Lil Lum and I have 4 dragonflies. I like the Lil Lum a lil more than the dragonflies. I just think the Lil Lum is more visually attractive. If you like small knives , I certainly do, definitely take a look at the many different Bestechs. Bestechs makes quite a few really good little knives.
 
I know the Chaparral wasn't on the list, but mentioned many times. For good reason. My wife "adopted" my DF Salt for work. She has very small hands, and loves it. The Chap is not a huge step up in size, bit with the choil, fits me like a glove. But that said, if I were breaking down cardboard everyday, I really liked my Delica for that task for some reason. But just lost that one to my Mother-in-law last week. I think I need to go shopping again sometime soon.

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bflying said:
I know the Chaparral wasn't on the list, but mentioned many times. For good reason. My wife "adopted" my DF Salt for work. She has very small hands, and loves it. The Chap is not a huge step up in size, bit with the choil, fits me like a glove. But that said, if I were breaking down cardboard everyday, I really liked my Delica for that task for some reason. But just lost that one to my Mother-in-law last week. I think I need to go shopping again sometime soon.

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I like the scales on the Gent! Who made those?

I had a Dragonfly 2 ZDP for several years, and it would be my pic of your four. I don't do Benchmade. Ever. I believe the ex confiscated it.

I'm expecting a Massdrop Ferrum Forge Gent today in CF. The G-10 version is only $80! S35VN, g-10 over a titanium frame. A little larger, but a lot more cutting edge.
 
K.O.D. said:
I like the scales on the Gent! Who made those?

I had a Dragonfly 2 ZDP for several years, and it would be my pic of your four. I don't do Benchmade. Ever. I believe the ex confiscated it.

I'm expecting a Massdrop Ferrum Forge Gent today in CF. The G-10 version is only $80! S35VN, g-10 over a titanium frame. A little larger, but a lot more cutting edge.
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I did the Gent scales. One side is silver bullion, the other is copper. Originally was just testing water to see what I liked best. But then got a bit lazy and haven’t gotten around to making the other two.

Must admit the Gent is a very decent little knife also.
 
Benchmade Bugout. I passed on this knife for a long time but when I finally purchased it I was so happy with the size and weight. It's unbelievable at how light it is in the pocket plus you can't go wrong with S30v steel.
 
Seriously consider the Chaparral, XHP is a really good all round EDC steel, better overall IMO than VG-10 and ZDP. If you are set on your list, I would get a PE VG-10 Dragonfly, I love my ZDP/Nishijin DF2, but if sharpening is a concern VG-10 is much easier to maintain.
 
The Dragonfly is the only modern folder I have and carry that is under a 2.5" blade. I prefer to hover around 3.5". For a small knife it's quite perfect for me. I have the g10 version. I'm on my second one as I foolishly traded my first one away a couple years ago. The g10 is still very lightweight but feels great in the hand.
 
For a small knife , I like the Spyderco Native5.

I used to really like the BM 707 Sequel too but that has been discontinued.
 
Out of your list I'd choose the Dragonfly 2, I own a couple and they are great for their size.

But.......I'd also really recommend a Delica, Native, or BM Bugout.
 
I have six Dragonflies. My wife saw one and snatched it because it fits her tiny hands so well, and then she got another one in a different color. Of the ones you mentioned, I like the Dragonfly. I especially like the G10 version. I also have a Nishijin and it is beautiful, but they are hard to find, nowadays.

I would take a hard look at the Chaparral Light Weight. It is about the size of the Dragonfly, but it is a little heavier because of the liners. It has a longer blade and is very size efficient. I prefer it to the Dragonfly since it came out.
 
LW FRN Chaparral comes in at a nice size and a nice price. Nice deep wire clip and it practically disappears.

I carry it over my Dragonfly.

,,,Mike in Canada
 
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