Looking for a smaller size EDC

C

Caviness

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Oct 9, 2015
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I currently have a Spyderco Tenacious for EDC. I really like the knife, but find that it is too large for some occasions. I also have a Kershaw Emerson CQC-6K that I carry for work (Police) that I also really like. I did have a Sanranmu 710 for smaller occasions, but gifted it to a nephew.

the 710 is similar in size to what I am looking for. Although the 710 worked well enough for me, I wasn't completely satisfied with it. I did not like the clip postilion (I prefer tip up). It was also rather heavy for it's size. The ergonomics were simply "okay". The blade shape and hollow grind were great.

I have been looking around and have been drawn to the following options....

Spyderco Delica
Spyderco Cat
Spyderco Dragonfly

I like the deeper carry wire clip that comes on the Cat and some Dragonflys, that has me leaning toward those two options at the moment. I prefer the thumb hole to a thumb stud, but it isn't an absolute "must have". Other manufacturers are fine as well, but I like the aesthetics of Spyderco knives in general. Trying to keep the budget below $50.

I have no experience with any of these knives, so advice is greatly appreciated. Other recommendations are also welcome.
 
Cant go wrong with a dragonfly, I have two: one with yellow FRN handles and H1 steel and the other G10 handles in VG-10 steel. Both amazing little knives, highly recommend!
 
I have all 3 and would have a hard time choosing between the dragonfly and the delica, as both are excellent. I got a sweet powder gray deep carry Ti clip for my SB delica.

the mini grip is a great small EDC. but my current favorite small EDC is the Techno. *what a sick little big knife it is* :D
 
Can't really go wrong with the Delica or Dragonfly, but if you're interested in other options, how about the Kershaw CQC-2K or Kershaw Cryo 1 in G10? Also, the Ontario RAT 2 is a pretty good small EDC blade, or if you want a different tip shape and a frame lock instead of liner lock, check out the ESEE Zancudo.
 
mael333ca said:
I have all 3 and would have a hard time choosing between the dragonfly and the delica, as both are excellent. I got a sweet powder gray deep carry Ti clip for my SB delica.

the mini grip is a great small EDC. but my current favorite small EDC is the Techno. *what a sick little big knife it is* :D
Click to expand...

100% agree on the Techno, however at a much steeper price!
 
Of the three Spydies you mentioned, I'd have to give the nod to the Dragonfly with the Delica a close second. You might have to pick the one that ergos the best for you. If you really enjoy your Tenacious, maybe try out a Persistence...same shape and feel as the Tenacious but with a 2.75" blade vs. a 3.39" blade. You might want to see if you can get into a gently used Native 5 LW.

Someone mentioned a RAT Model 2 and those are a good cheap option, as is the ESEE Zancudo.

Among the Kershaws, check out a the Skyline and Strobe. Really, the Skyline at around $40 is an incredible value in a USA made blade with decent materials. A lot of people will recommend the Nura but my personal experience with one was horrible F/F. Injection, Chill, OSO Sweet...there are lots of choices in the sub-$50 region with Kershaw/KAI.

The fit and finish quality can be a little hit or miss, but the Buck small Vantage is a great little design also.

The Mini Grip is an awesome knife and you might find a good used one for just a little over your budget. The biggest complaint on the Grip series are the hollow, cheap feeling handles...but the smaller handles of the Mini Grip make it less noticeable. It's well worth it to cruise the exchange for one you can afford.

If you can find an AUS8 CS Mini Recon, they're a nice solid but small knife. Unfortunately, the new CTS-XHP steel models are out of your price range unless you find one used.

Don't rule out a traditional...there are lots of choices in Rough Riders for way less than your budget and you could get into many models by Case.

Good luck! Finding that perfect knife is the first step in looking for the next perfect knife ;)
 
The G10 dragonfly with the steel sub-frame is a phenomenal EDC. It pretty much defines the quality, affordable, discrete EDC category.

I've been carrying my mini-grip a lot, and it's a great knife. But I also swapped out the factory scales that nobody likes for a G10 set from Alan Putnam. That puts it waaay out of your stated budget. I like it lots, though. :)
 
Here is a photo for comparison. The Stockman is there for size comparison. It is a medium Boker.
I took this photo for my Amazon review but will serve here.
I really really like all of these knives.
The Dragon Fly is shorter than the Sanranmu 710. I think. Judging by the photos in my Google search; I have never handled a Sanranmu though. The Dragon fly is a really solid little knife yet super light. Solid meaning the lock is quality feeling and opening is very easy using the thumb hole. I have the ZDP-189 blade steel. It is quite thin and pretty darn brittle/hard steel. I am totally happy with that but needs to be used with respect or it can chip or even, perhaps, snap in two with overly enthusiastic use.

And that brings us to the Cold Steel Holdout III
Still really light, thicker blade but thinner handle. Very STRONG handle though.
I have the CTS-XHP blade steel. Fairly hard but tuffer than the ZDP.
Speaking of overly enthusiastic use . . . if you haven't seen it yet you owe it to yourself to visit Cold Steel's web page and watch the videos on the hold outs they show all three models going to town BIG TIME.
Oh yah DOG !
As far as the lock . . . when you open a Holdout and it locks up you know it !

Nice knife. Longer blade, pretty wide but still thin and light so worth a look for you I believe.

 
Used mini Grip.
Spydie Ambitious is an excellent little BIG knife.....under budget also.
 
I think I have narrowed it down to the dragonfly and buck vantage (small). I love the aesthetics of the vantage and have seen nothing but good reviews (exept for some blade centering issues). On the other hand, I really like my other spyderco knife and wouldn't mind another. People have nothing but good to say about the dragonfly as well. I may very well end up getting both if I can find a good deal on a dragonfly.

A lot of the other knives mentioned I think would be larger than I am looking for. I already have a larger edc in the tenacious and want something noticeably smaller.
 
For light weight edc, Ka-bar hunter dozier is what I have the most experience with. It is very thin and around 2-3 ounces? It does not have steel liners just the nylon handles which cut weight. Can get a thumb stud or ring version. 3 inch blades. I'm just a fan of light blades for true edc. If you are also going to be carrying a more heavy duty knife as well
 
I have a Dragon fly H1 and it is a great, great knife as long as you are looking for a very, very small knife. It is really tiny so just make sure you are prepared for that. I specifically bought the H1 as I wanted something for travel that I would never have to worry about. I keep it in my pocket when swimming for example so it doesn't get stolen at the beach and as I often travel to places near the ocean the H1 is of great benefit to me. It is also nice that it is so small it doesn't provoke any issues when traveling to foreign countries.
 
Delica would be a good alternative. Here is a shot of one with a Tenacious:

1314564_comparison_1_open_800x533.jpg


The Dragonfly is quite a bit smaller, but it is even lighter and a more discrete carry. Here it is with a Delica:

Spyderco_Lockbacks2_800x600.jpg


Here's another shot with a Dragonfly and a SRM 710:

1062658_comparison2_800x466.jpg
 
Flarp, thanks for the comparison pics. Really helped me solidify my choice. I went ahead and ordered a small vantage to fulfill my needs for now. I really liked how deep the clip carrys. I still really like the dragonfly and will probably purchase one when I can get a deal.
I will mostly be using this knife for more formal dress and feel the deeper carry on the vantage was ideal.
 
The Vantage came in the mail today. Really happy with it. Perfect blade centering and perfect lockup. None of the problems that others have mentioned with the Vantages. Size is exactly what I was looking for and the clip is excellent.
Deployment isn't as easy as I would like. The thumb hole is quite small and hard to get a good grip on, and the flipper is quite small and smooth. It is easy to only open to blade half way if you aren't very deliberate with it. Considering the purpose this knife will have for me though, this is not a big deal. My biggest gripe was that the blade was dull as a butter knife out of the box. Again, not a huge deal. I spent a few minutes with a stone and got it shaving sharp quite easily.
I think this knife is an excellent buy for $20. The downsides are pretty much non-issues for me.
 
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