Kershaw Scallion v. Spyderco Dragonfly

chucklehead

chucklehead

Joined
Jul 10, 2004
Messages
195
Can someone tell me how these knives match up?

scallion.jpg


dragonflyinfo.jpg
 
I have a dragonfly and a Chive ( little brother to the scallion ) BUY the DRAGONFLY, I 'd get one with SS handles ;) .

The Dragonfly has a lockback, is a Manual (which I prefer) and has superior blade steel (AUS-8 vs. 420, which is not a great steel).
 
Go with the ss dragonfly, you won't be dissapointed with the ats-55 in it. Over 3yrs beating on mine, still solid.
 
I have a scallion, but it was tip up carry and it opened on a few occasions before it was out of my pocket. They do have a safety, but I don't like it.

The dragonfly is a good choice, the spyderco mid-lockbacks are easily opened and closed one-handed anyway. I am not big on assisted openers anymore.

(If I were you I'd get the SS-Dragonfly (Ats55), or even an SS Spyderco cricket (VG10). http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=17)
 
If you never had an auto/springassisted knife before, the Scallion is pretty cool. That quickly fades however.

I also vote for a SS Dragonfly. Get one, if you don't like it, I'll trade you for my user, Scallion (black aluminum handles, coated blade, CE) ;)
 
Buy both, and leave the Scallion in your toolbox etc. The safety on my Scallion broke after I dropped it on a concrete floor, I just bought a new one, and the safety is pretty crappy for a flipper knife, although it is fun to play with! It can go off at any time. As for the Dragonfly, I've got one, and it feels great in the pocket, and works fine. I grew up with lockbacks, I am a little biased.
 
klattman said:
I have a scallion, but it was tip up carry and it opened on a few occasions before it was out of my pocket. They do have a safety, but I don't like it.

The dragonfly is a good choice, the spyderco mid-lockbacks are easily opened and closed one-handed anyway. I am not big on assisted openers anymore.

(If I were you I'd get the SS-Dragonfly (Ats55), or even an SS Spyderco cricket (VG10). http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=17)
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That Cricket is pretty sweet! Although that curved edge must be pretty hard to sharpen. I just got my hands on a Chive and am beginning to agree with the some of the comments in this thread about open assist knives losing their novelty after awhile. Also the legal issues regarding open assist always makes me a bit nervous and am not really comfortable with taking the knife apart to make changes (with the money quality knives cost, we shouldn't have to do that to begin with).
 
I also would recommend the cricket, and definately choose the dragonfly between those two. I've been carrying nothing but spydies for years, and they've never let me down.

cheers!
 
Look at it this way... the Dragonfly has a blade made of better steel. The Scallion is surprisingly thick for it's size; the SS Dragonfly is about half as thick, at around the same weight. The FRN Dragonfly is half as thick, AND half the weight.

Also, that assisted open isn't really optional. I own several assisted Kershaws: Blur, Whirlwind, Baby Boa, Chive, Scallion, Leek; of them, only the Blur has thumbstuds that can actually be used to open the knife.

And make no mistake, sheeple see an assisted opener pop open, and immediately think "switchblade". The Dragonfly looks much less threatening to the more *sensitive* around us.
 
Gryffin said:
Also, that assisted open isn't really optional. I own several assisted Kershaws: Blur, Whirlwind, Baby Boa, Chive, Scallion, Leek; of them, only the Blur has thumbstuds that can actually be used to open the knife.

And make no mistake, sheeple see an assisted opener pop open, and immediately think "switchblade". The Dragonfly looks much less threatening to the more *sensitive* around us.
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Uhm, I have the Chive, Scallion, and Leek, all of which have thumbstuds that you (I) can use to open them. In fact the thumbstuds are also the blade stop. I do notice the Blur is a bit different, doesn't use the thumbstuds as a blade stop. On those 3 models I either hit the top part and it opens or push the thumbstuds to open. Am I missing something here?

As for the second part, sheeple for sure see AO's as switchblades, plus the Spyderco is better quality, better steel, etc. Go for the Spyderco unless you are specifically looking for a AO. Don't get the Chive though, too small, the handle is uncomfy when in real "use".
 
USA made Scallions are about even with, Spyderco quality (Dodo, Meerkat, Ladybug; no Dragon fly :grumpy: , damn the integral clips), IMHO.

The Scallion steel is pretty good.

FRN feels kina cheap, since these knives are on the small side, aluminum handles feel pretty good, and doesn't make the knife feel heavy, like with a larger knife.
 
nelsonmc said:
Uhm, I have the Chive, Scallion, and Leek, all of which have thumbstuds that you (I) can use to open them. In fact the thumbstuds are also the blade stop. I do notice the Blur is a bit different, doesn't use the thumbstuds as a blade stop. On those 3 models I either hit the top part and it opens or push the thumbstuds to open. Am I missing something here?
Click to expand...
Either you are, or I am.

Try as I might, I just can't open them with the thumbstuds. Other than the Blur, the thumbstuds are too close to the grip to get a thumbnail behind for a good shove; overcoming the spring with the pad of my thumb requires so much pressure that when the assist starts to take effect, my thumb is pressing too hard against the stud to let the blade fly open as designed, so they don't open fully. Which is distinctly unsafe.

If you've figured out how to make it work, congrats, and please share your technique. Because I'm not the only one; most everyone I know who owns a Kershaw complains of the same thing!
 
It takes practice, after about 5 tries, if you haven't severed your thumb, you'll get it, just be careful. I had no problems with my Kershaw Blackout opening it, but my friend cut himself pretty bad when he borrowed it. Go figure :D
 
lasersailor184 said:
Err, I use the pad of my thumb and don't have a problem with it at all...
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^ What he said... :D

It's really not that hard to open the Kershaw AOs with your thumb, may hurt the first few times but you'll get used to it.
 
why bother using the thumbstuds when there's a perfectly usable flipper (i'm referring to those knives which have flippers, of course)? also, i've read on more than one occasion that the thumbstuds are really intended only as a blade stop, so this would explain why they're not as useful as on other knives.

i own a couple Leeks, a Chive, and i've given away several Scallions as gifts. they're all great tools, but i agree with those that say the thumbstud isn't very friendly. i can use it without fail every time, but it's just not as safe as the flipper, by nature.

abe
 
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