Need opinion on my first EDC set.

A

ac12

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Mar 7, 2011
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I need help with your experience with the knives I am considering for a 2 knife EDC set,
#1 primary carry; either a Delica4 or Dragonfly2
#2 secondary carry (but probably primary use); Ladybug

My primary question is on knife #1

- Primary consideration is of course budget.
I would like to hold out for the Chapparel, but that is a stretch for my budget right now.

- Primary functional consideration is PC carry in an office environment, so folded size and bulk is a major consideration.

Second is the edge decision.
For the Delica4 I would go combination edge.
But for the Dragonfly2 I'm can't make up my mind between serrated and plain since I don't see a combination edge listed.


As a secondary/but probably the primary use knife, I am thinking about a Ladybug, but again the edge decision, serrated vs plain edge? This would be the knife I pull out for general cutting/slicing use in the office, as it is smaller and thus more PC. Right now I have a Victornox pen knife that I use for this purpose. The pen knife looks "cute" and not "dangerous."

Thanks.
 
This would be my selection based upon your situation and what you listed. I would get the Delica over the Dragonfly, as the Delica has more blade.

Bright colored, friendly looking Delica in plain edge. That plain and flat ground blade will slice like a laser.

SP11FPBL.jpg


And a fully serrated Ladybug to get down and dirty with. I carry a serrated Ladybug, and have put it through hell. The serrations really add a lot of cutting power to such a tiny blade. Great little knife!

SPLBKS3.jpg
 
^ this ^
I have the same set up. I carry a Spyderco Delica FFG Brown (to blend with Khaki pants at work) and a SE Ladybug on my work keys to cut zipties, tape, carboard, ect.
With two great knives you can't go wrong :)
 
Been carrying a Delica 4 for about 3 years now. Great knife! Recently started carrying a Endura FFG at work and I'm convinced that if I were to replace my D4 it would be with the FFG version. Note that my FFG Endura took a little tweaking out of the box. Had to loosen the blade pivot as well as the scale screw which holds the lock bar. Did have to, but reprofiled the edge down to 30 degrees inclusive- it was just under 40 inclusive from the factory and very uneven.
 
Go with the delica 4 with a ffg blade and a fully serrated ladybug every once in a while I ad my fully serrated ladybug to my edc and that thing cuts like a blade twice it's size.
 
I like to carry a SAK or small traditional slipjoint as a secondary knife. Useful tools in the case of the former, and neither are quite as likely to cause outrage and shock among non-knife-appreciating coworkers. So, along those lines.. the stag Kiwi 3 or a Micro Dyad?
 
I finally got my perfect EDC down. It's a Black handled/Black bladed military and a Salt I folder. Pair that up with a Leatherman Surge and i'm ready for anything lol. Salt is full serr Mili is full plain.
 
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Several of you recommend the FFG blade, why is that?
Any special advantages over the plain edge?
 
Ffg is the grind. Full flat grind. Plain edge refers to the cutting edge. Just clarifying, not being a smarta**. plain edge is great for edc. Full flat grind gives less resistance than say a hollow grind. It's like trying to cut a tomato with a razor opposed to an axe.
 
Check this link out for an understanding on the grinds by pictures. Just think of it pushing through a piece of paper and how the paper would ride up the edge. A hollow grind is kind of like two plows back to back. i forget if they mention this in the picture, but there is also a chisel grind. This type of grind is sharpened on only one side of the knife. Most serrated knives are chisel ground knives. http://backyardbushman.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/grinds2.jpg. You may also hear a scandi grind being called a zero grind too.
 
Para Millitary2 would be good but pricy. Endura a good choice with a Ladybug plain edge key knife.
 
Considering that the Para Military 2 is arguably one of, if not the best, production knives that Spyderco has yet produced, I thought it was quite a bargain at only around $100 - $110 for the standard black G10 version (if you shop around online).
 
I EDC 3x Spydercos all the time, which includes the Delica 4 and Ladybug 3. Can't go wrong with either. I am also a big fan of the Dragonly, but given your choices, I would go with Delica 4 and Ladybug 3. L3 definitely in SE, your choice of edge on D4. I keep going with SE but have PE to use too.

What is cool is that all 3 models you refer to are bread and butter staples in the Spyderco line-up, with good reason. You will figure out why pretty soon once you get your hands on them.

With budget constraints in mind, if you don't mind something closer to Endura in size, there are some great bargains on the Stretch 2 at present.
 
I was just made aware of another option.

Keep carrying the little Victornox pen knife, as the PC general office knife,
and carry a DragonFly2 or Delica4 as my secondary knife.

The smaller closed size of the DF has me leaning towards it, for easier EDC in the office.
The Delica4 still looks attractive. I just can't afford both right now.
 
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