Second Spyderco???

T_MAC686

T_MAC686

Joined
Sep 26, 2014
Messages
328
Hey everyone,

I have often found myself on this site reading all kinds of awesome advice and finally decided it would just be best to make a profile!

My first question as a new member is what you think my next Spyderco knife should be... I have had a brown FRN Delica 4 FFG for about 3 months now and I absolutely love it. I take it every where I go and it has yet to disappoint me. Even though I'm crazy about the knife, all I can think about is getting my next one. I probably wouldnt go much bigger than the Delica (seems to fit my EDC roles just fine) and I tend to like smaller knives anyway. I was looking at one of the Ladybug 3s or the Dragonfly 2. I'm sure this topic has been beat to death but I would really appreciate any input you would have on why you think one blade would be better than the other, and who knows maybe you even have a different blade you would recommend! Side note: I REALLY like the look of the Jester but as its discontinued, the price is a little steep so I dont think I'll be getting one

I think between the two I would lean towards the dragonfly because it seems to fill the hand better and I worry about the Ladybug being a little too small in the handle? Anyways I'll stop rambling and let you guys get to answering! Have an awesome night/day and I'll check back as soon as I can!

-T
 
Welcome T! BF is full of lots of amazing people, we're glad to have you here 'officially'. :)

The Delica is an awesome EDC no doubt and was an excellent first choice on your behalf. Personally I'm not big on knives with handles much smaller than the Delica. For me it's one of the best fit small handles I've tried. For that reason I wasn't a fan of the Dragonfly however you should try it (at some point) to see how you feel about it.

I can suggest some other Spydercos in that same general size though, mainly the Sage and Manix series. The Sage 1 can be found pretty regularly on the exchange forum in the $75-$85 range. The Sage 2 is another big favorite around here but those usually run $105 and up used. The Manix 2 has numerous variations - lightweight with CTS-BD1 or S110v steel as well as G10 with 154CM (older), S30V (current), and numerous upgraded limited edition / sprint runs - newest of which is the Cruwear.

It's hard to go wrong with Spyderco so don't over think it...you'll end up trying most of them sooner or later! :p
 
Caly3. It is the only Spyderco knife I've had that I like more than the Delica.

Some pics for size comparison:

Stretch_Delica_Caly3_800x468.jpg


Sage3_Caly3_Chaparral_Dragonfly_open_800x433.jpg


940_Native5_Sage2_Tenacious_PM2_open_800x541.jpg


Spyderco_Lockbacks2_800x600.jpg
 
Maybe try a Spyderco slipjoint.... like the Squeek?
Fantastic little knife, great ergo's that make it function so you don't miss a lock at all.

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For a smaller knife i say go with the dragonfly it is a great knife, fits well in my small hands, decently light weight to me (i dont care about knife weight, so i normally carry bigger folders). For a hair bigger that caly looks very nice, might want to give that a thought too. If you want ladybug for color options thats cool, thats why i got mine, but if your one who also likes a little bit better grip on the knife, the manbug has a tad bit thicker handle which will give some a better grip (bigger foot print in pocket). I see the ladybug as a excellent keychain knife. The df2 on the other hand in my mind is a little more versatile because of the pocket clip, (im generally not a lanyard person). I have no experience with the caly though.
 
The Caly3 is an awesome knife. The ZDP-189 version can be a bear to sharpen but it holds its edge extremely well. If you want something a bit smaller than your Delica, try the Chaparral Carbon Fiber. A knife the same over all size, but with a slightly shorter blade, and more rugged than the Chaparral would be the Cat. The Dragonfly G10 is one of my most carried knives. It is useful all out of proportion to its size.
 
A tad smaller than the Delica would probably work for me like the Dragonfly. I don't mind a little weight and my substitute for the Delica is the Native 5 which is a pretty basic knife. About the same size, but more beefy with liners. I am no Spydie expert like many here but the Sage grabs my attention. This is the size range that I really like for a pocket folder/edc including the Delica. I picked up a ZT 0770CF as another substitute and have been carrying it since this spring when I got it. It is about the same size as the Delica in the pocket but a tad fatter and I believe a slightly longer blade. The size is what nudged me into making my first ZT purchase. I have been pleased. Knives like the Benchmade Adamas have little interest to me.
 
Wow thanks for all the quick replies!

Fetzer85/DocT- I've looked at the sage series too and I really like the look of the sage 1, and along those same lines but a little smaller , the chaparral.

Flarp- those are some amazing pictures!! That caky 3 is a slick looking knife, definitely one I hope to get some day, along with that benchmade 940... Wow... - you have an awesome collection

Knoefz- that squeak looks like it would melt in your hand, I definitely agree that with smaller knives with great ergos, you don't even need a lock. Have you had any experience with the spyderco pingo at all? If so how would you compare it to the squeak? I'm kind of intrigued by the look of the pingo.

You guys have been awesome, I had heard that the knife community was made up of some really amazing people and you are all proof to that! I look forward to gaining further insight and knowledge from you all!

-T
 
22-rimfire- that zt 0770cf is an awesome looking knife but I like my blades to be around the 3" or less mark. If they made that exact knife in a slightly smaller package I would be all over it!

Thanks for the info and for bringing up another brand I had heard about but never really looked I to very much. I need to check out what I'm missing!

-T
 
I really like my Dragonfly2. I usually carry it when I am wearing khaki's to work and don't want to clip a knife to my pants. I just dump it in my pocket. Just disappears. But like the Delica, has a FFG VG10 blade that just slices through everything. I also have a Manbug (similar size to the Ladybug), but really like the extra size of a Dragonfly. Fills the hand more, without being anywhere near the size of a Delica. A really handy knife. Today I'm wearing jeans as it's casual Friday, and have an Emerson CQC-7 clipped to my pocket. As they say, horses for courses.
 
I second (third, fourth, whatever) the Dragonfly for a smaller knife. It's the only really small knife that allows me to get a full four-finger grip. For a larger knife without going too much larger, look at the Sage series. For a great 3.5" blade that won't break the bank, the Stretch is outstanding.
 
I like the Dragonfly 2 from a design point of view, but I feel it's a pretty weak primary EDC. It's small, stiff compared to larger Spyderco back locks, but very well made.

How about the Stretch? People love that thing. Not much bigger than the Delica.
 
T_MAC686 said:
22-rimfire- that zt 0770cf is an awesome looking knife but I like my blades to be around the 3" or less mark. If they made that exact knife in a slightly smaller package I would be all over it!

Thanks for the info and for bringing up another brand I had heard about but never really looked I to very much. I need to check out what I'm missing!
Click to expand...

I feel it is my duty to muddy the water when making recommendations. :D

That little Squeek has caught my interest. I believe I'll wait until I visit a knife store that has one and handle it in person.

I do like to hover around the 3" blade length as that is my comfort zone. The Endura is too big for me to be comfortable with it, especially taking it out to use when other people are around. I keep a serrated Endura in my field/work bag for "serrated" tasks. It seldom gets used as I tend to grab a utility knife for cutting carpet and so forth (a common task for me).

Another cool and inexpensive knife that I like is the Cold Steel Tuff Lite. It is a little "rough around the edges" but a great cost effective edc kind of folder.
 
Sage 1, Sage 3 in carbon fiber (a honey), Sage 2 (titanium, I love 'em), Caly 3 or 3.5 in ZDP or Superblue.
Techno is you want 2.5" blade, but heavy-duty (capable)
 
flarp,
The green handled knife, Benchmade I think, how do you like it? I've seen before, but appeared much larger, nice.
 
I don't know why tour asking about your second Spyderco because your second will lead to your third and your third will lead towards your twentyfifth. Enjoy the hunt.
 
My current office rotation is Nishijin DF, Damascus Stretch, CF Sage 3. My shorts rotation is a Acid and stonewashed delica and a tenacious. For slacks i carry a manbug.
 
22-rimfire- as much as it pains me (because now I'm adding several new knives to my wish list) I appreciate the "muddying of waters" in the search for great blades. I'd love to be able to find a retailer around me that carries spyderco but I can't find any dealers, either personal or corporate, so I can't handle the knives before purchasing :(

Sonnydaze- the techno looks like a tough little blade, I really like the shape of that knife. It kind of reminds me of the Pingo which I was also looking at..
 
Sounds like a solid rotation Neffarious, did you do your acid and stone washing yourself or send it in somewhere to be done?
 
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