Need some help picking a new keychain knife

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frogger42

Joined
Sep 17, 2008
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For the last several years, I have kept a Spyderco Ladybug 3 on my keychain. I carried it mostly just to make sure I always had a decent knife on me if I forgot to carry a larger one. Tonight, I noticed that it was no longer on my keychain. Sometime in the last day or two, it broke or fell off. I'm bummed because it was a color that is no longer offered. I'm considering just buying another Ladybug in a different color, but before I do, I thought I'd ask for other suggestions I should consider. I'd rather not spend more than $40 - 50 max. What would you guys suggest?

BTW, I was thinking about a Spyderco Dragonfly 2 but I'm not sure if that is a little too big for a keychain. I'd love to hear from someone that has one.
 
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The Ladybug is about as big as I'd go on my key chain. My favorite is the SE Ladybug, as it really packs a bunch of cutting into a tiny blade.
 
You could consider also a Victorinox Classic SD, Manager or Rambler. Same size, more or less, as your Ladybug 3, but adds excellent scissors, driver, tweezer, etc. The downside is that the blade gives less utility than you will get with the Ladybug. But it depends on what you are after. Starting at $10 shipped on ebay.

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The Dragonfly would also work on your keys, though at the cost of more size and weight. But you get a much more functional blade too (relative to the Classic SD lineup), which may be the direction you want to head.

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Old style Dragonfly with Arc AAA light.

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G10 Dragonfly.

I'm with Mr. Handwrecker about size, though. For me, the Ladybug would be the biggest I would want on my keys, especially if you are carrying other EDC items on the ring too.
 
i got a ladybug zdp-189. so far it's been a winner. i really got it not cause i needed a keychain size knife, but because i wanted to try zdp-189 steel and it was the cheapest choice i found. so far i'm impressed on both counts. steel is fantastic, and knife itself is very useful.

i also would consider the ladybug h1 hawkbill.

the other one i like is the keycom boker plus los banos deal. i like Mr. Banos or Mr. Los Banos? designs. at first i didn't i thought they looked suburban or city tacticoolish, but once i got one of his designs, i changed my mind and now i find them some of the more interesting in the boker plus line. if i was going to go with a new keychain knife this would be on my short list.
 
I'm getting a Stainless ladybug 3 in trade which should be here tomorrow.
You wouldnt have to worry about that thing breaking.
 
+1 for boker keycom! Wicked blade shape, realy sharp out of the box..

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But any way with any of above you just can`t go wrong..
 
I really love small SAKs as keychain knives, both Wenger and Victorinox have some really cool models. Vics come in 58mm (Classic, Rambler, etc) and 74mm (Executive, etc.) while small Wengers are 65mm clossed.
 
I use a Victorinox classic myself. The small size and handy selection of tools gets used more than I ever thought. May be a little underequipped if its your only blade, but as a secondary, its fantastic
 
CID25 said:
I use a Victorinox classic myself. The small size and handy selection of tools gets used more than I ever thought. May be a little underequipped if its your only blade, but as a secondary, its fantastic
Click to expand...

I have to agree with that. So far, I've fixed the door switch on the clothes drier, taken down the bathroom ceiling fan for service, and fixed the microwave with the classic. It's also opened a ton of packages.

Carl.
 
+1 for the Vic Classic.
To me, it's kind of the "gold standard" of keychain knives...any other candidate has to confront it before winning my keys...and none could do that yet.
:cool:
 
I have a vic classic and have a leatherman squirt P4 and had a ps4 which i just lost :( as well as micra pass through my hands. If youre into it, as its definitly more a multitiool than the classic, i would reccomend it fully. I carry it instead of my wave most times and it gets the job done with flying colors. The blade is 420hc and cuts just fine. It should do ya if you are ever to find yourself without a main blade. :eek:
 
Update... my friend who I visited this past weekend found my Ladybug and is holding it for me until I visit again. However, I ordered a Ladybug Salt before I found this out. I guess now I have a spare.
 
This is the absolute truth. About three seasons ago I left my fixed blade in the truck while deer hunt'n. I killed a nice 9 point and end up having to field dress it with a Leatherman Micra...The blade was about 1" long but shaving sharp..It was a heck of a job with that little thing but I did it..
 
Check this out:
http://www.photonlight.com/products/Swiss-Army-Micro%252dLight-Pocket-Toolchest.html

The cool thing is that it has a Photon flashlight on it it that is miles better than the crappy little light Victorinox puts on their version. Also, the mini bottle opener is awesome.

I'm usually for Victoinox, but this one is the best keychain knife I have ever had. (I also carry my TSF Beast clipped in my pocket)

My 2 cents...

Happy hunting
 
Hi Frogger42,
Personally for Me the Dragonfly would be to large for My Keychain, because I have about a dozen keys, a mini pry, a small Fenix, a bug knife (which is a backup for My ladybug), and the H1 ladybug in orange.( from county com., and they still have them )

They also have Yellow and Tan if You want something special. I put a Orange lanyard on the ladybug, (the cord I bought from county com.) which not only makes it easy to remove, but gives My keys much more visibility, as I am prone to misplace them alot.

If You are concerned about the cost, any one of the bug knives, the grasshopper is the largest, (which is a little longer than ladybug), or even the Kiwi, are less expensive than the ladybug. They are superb small blades which can do some serious cutting! In the end it all comes down to personal preference and cost.
As Powernoodle and Handwrecker pointed out, with other stuff on the keychain, The Dragonfly May be to large.
Just My 2 cents worth,
Charlie
:thumbup:
 
I would stick with the Lady Bug 3. I think is is one of the best keychain knives made. Good Luck! Kevin :D
 
You might as well sign on to my push dagger giveaway.
 
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