Help me! Too many choices! Spyderco/benchmade...need to order something now!

Surfingringo

Surfingringo

Joined
May 25, 2013
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Hello all, I'm still looking to buy a folder for kayak fishing in Costa Rica. I decided to get a spyderco salt or a benchmade h2o because this knife is going to see some hard use and abuse in a really tough environment. Well, I've been doing my home work and learning what I can, but seems like I change my mind everyday! I have a buddy coming down next week so I need to make up my mind and order one!

I was going to get the grip h2o because ive heard it holds an edge a bit better than the h1 steel, plus, i have a mini grip and am really happy with it. but i keep hearing all the diehard spyderco fans on here so I started looking at the salt series. Looks like the salt series is going to be even more corrosion resistant than the benchmade. Can anyone confirm this? Is the lock and hardware also h1 steel. I think if the salt series is markedly more corrosion resistant thats a big deal for my intended use. It also looks like the prices are significantly cheaper which is a BIG deal for a hard use work knife that could end up on the bottom of the ocean on an unlucky day. So that's where I'm at unless someone with some knowledge can tell me I'm missing something.

Now...as far as which model in the salt line...sigh...more indecision. :-). I was originally looking at the discontinued catcherman. Couldn't find it so I started considering the salt 1 and the pacific. Then...then...I decided to really confuse myself! I started checking out the little dragonfly model!! That's a pretty bitchin little knife, am I right? Anybody used that? Is it big enough to be practical? I really think it can do most everything I need on the water with that knife. It's light, which is relevant as I wear around my neck. It is pretty darned cheap too! I'm thinking that might be the way to go. I would love to hear anyone else's thoughts on all of this as I have managed to make myself dizzy! Hehehe.

P.S. the other good thing about the dragonfly is if I get that then I will still be without a full size folder. Which means ill still need another knife! Hehehe
 
In regards to the Grip and Salt series
I think many will recommend you buy both :p
 
I know the Spyderco uses all rust proof hardware, including screws. I'm not sure if BM does the same?
 
Yeah, from what I've read the salt series definitely has the advantage on corrosion. So even if the h1 doesn't hold an edge as well, I think I'm going with the salt. This knife is going to have a hard life. Sad but true. So a more rust proof steel at a much lower price point just makes sense.Now I just need to decide if the dragonfly works for me. Unfortunately I don't have the luxury of handling one before I buy. I was hoping to get some idea of the practicality and ergos from any of u dragonfly owners out there.
 
I have the zdp dragonfly2 and its a really great little knife my co worker has the H1 version and he also loves the little blade. Its got great ergonomics for such a small knife. The nice thing about spydercos salt knives is there are less parts to deal with so cleaning is a bit easier and like Yo Mama said its hardare is rust proof as well so its guaranteed to stay in working condition just rinse you any debris and keep going. I f you want a larger knife the dragonfly the pacific salt is almost the same size as the endura. As much as I like benchmade and believe me I do(8 BMs..... so far), I would totally go spyderco on this one.



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goodeyesniper said:
get the dragonfly and pacific salt. done deal
Click to expand...

This. Both are great knives, fully rust resistant, comfortable, and a great price. Get a plain edge of one and a fully serrated of the other and all your folding knife tasks will be covered.
 
Hey all, just ordered the dragonfly 2 salt. Hope I end up happy with it. I think the light weight (for neck carry) and affordable price sealed it for me. I'll have it on Saturday!
 
If you get an H1 (Salt) knife I highly recommend serrated edge. The Spydercos are nice and light and thin. I haven't handled the BMs.
 
I would've definitely went Spyderco on this one.
You will love your Dragonfly. Great little knife, awesome ergos, great cutting power, and small/compact as well as lightweight. Seems like the perfect kayaking knife to me.
Have fun on your trip!
 
Thanks all, and thanks for the opinion bladechick, that makes me feel more confident. I hope you are right about the dragonfly being perfect. I'm a little concerned about the size still but what the hell, even if its too small I can get the pacific salt too and the combo will be the same price as the benchmade!

And there's no trip. :-). I've moved down here in the nineties. I'm on the water every day. That's why I want the salt! I know what this climate and the ocean does to normal steel.
 
And I DO prefer the axis lock...and on a normal use knife that would be a consideration. But on this one I figured the simpler the better. Less small metal parts=less to rust and corrode. I normally like liners, but for this knife, the salts having no liners was actually a plus. I think I made the right call. I'll let you know on Saturday. :-)
 
You're welcome. I hated small knives at first. I truly did, I liked something bigger. But after taking some time with smaller knives, I love them as much as I do big knives. The Dragonfly does fit the hand like a glove though(and I have large hands). It's a great small knife. You should totally get the Pacific Salt too. I believe you'll be very happy with the Dragonfly.
I want the Nishijin/ZDP Dragonfly so bad.
And now I want the tattoo Dragonfly and Ladybug to match my new tattoo Cricket.
Lol, and I've been downsizing. Oops. It's an illness.

Well enjoy your day of kayaking/fishing.

Definitely let us know how you like it. =]
 
Do you think the dragonfly is going to be big enough to filet this rooster fish I caught this morning? ;-)

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Spyderco Salt series is definitely the way to go, but I'd look at the larger models instead of the Dragonfly. Don't get me wrong, the Dragonfly is a great little knife, but it might be too small for your needs (I use mine around the office, it wouldn't be my first choice for outdoors use, fishing, etc.). I'd go for a Pacific, it's about the same size as an Endura, but lighter because it's linerless (like the old Endura 3).
 
The little benchmade mini grip actually saved the day on this one! Once I got him to the boat and got a gaff in him, he started thrashing (violently) and the line was getting tangled around the boat and other rod. A quick flick of the thumb and i was able to cut the leader in under 2 secs and things were back under control. Having a quick access knife with a sharp blade is a must! U don't need it until u need it. But when u need it it can be the difference between a happy ending and a lost fish, broken rod or possibly worse.

I think the dragonfly is going to work just fine for almost any of these scenarios. Worst case is I find it a bit small and then I have an excuse to get the pacific salt too! ;-).
 
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