Small & lightweight EDC? (BM 530 or Dragonfly?)

[JDunn709]

Own both, much prefer the Dragonfly!

 

[Indoril]

Another incredibly valued dragonfly option to be considered would be the dragonfly in British racing green with a ZDP-189 steel blade. It can easily be had for under $100.

Yes, I would probably go with this version.

I ground the "pommel" to be rounded in my palm and found that made the knife significantly more comfortable to hold.

I actually wondered if anyone did that. Do you have any pics? I would be interested to see

Dragonfly is great. It has great ergos for it's size due to choil. If you can save a little more, get the G10 version.

I would rather get the green FRN version with the ZDP blade

William Henry E6

Might not meet your cost option but slays the other two in every other category.

*drools*... if that was a couple hundred cheaper I'd jump on that in a heartbeat. At that cost I would be scared to carry it more than a couple times a year.

You might consider this, although no clip but it's so light it disappears in your pocket.

It's from the Boker Plus Elegance line. Carbon fiber , button lock and a titanium frame.

Looks good, but I would like a pocket clip. Might check out some more offerings from that line though.

 

[Indoril]

So after having gone to the local cutlery shop & compared the two... I am no closer to making a decision. But wow, that Dragonfly really is a tiny thing. Not that it bothers me, I just didn't quite get how small it was until seeing it in the flesh. I will say it is surprisingly ergonomic for how small it is. However I think the 530 is more versatile when it comes to opening methods. If I can find the Dragonfly for under $50 I would probably go with that, and then get the BM 531 later just because...

Comparison pic:

 

[dsimmons]

Honestly I don't know for a fact that it's scary, I'm sort of just making that assumption. I don't truly know how "sheeple" think. I could be acting overly cautious

The word is "people", unless of course you like it known up front that you're a presumptive blithering moron.

Anyway...

Spyderco Centofante.

 

[Cereal_killer]

The word is "people", unless of course you like it known up front that you're a presumptive blithering moron...

Hey man welcome to BFC, the word "sheeple" is an often used term around here and widely acceptable. It's also used in the gun community and I'm sure many others, its not derogatory / a form of bigotry in the least. We don't dislike those kinds of people, we just have to take them into consideration when pulling out "scary looking" or larger knives when in public, It means NKP (that's Non Knife People) that follow the crowd (hints sheep) and dislike /are scared of / are uncomfy around knives and other things for the simple fact that that's what they were taught, some can be "converted", or shown that knives can infact be a very useful tool and something lots of people daily carry and use without incident but others there is no hope for. They just believe, often without reason, that knives are weapons no matter what and don't want to change, they want you to change.

He wasn't attacking anyone, please don't attack him...

 

[SCWillson]

So after having gone to the local cutlery shop & compared the two... I am no closer to making a decision. But wow, that Dragonfly really is a tiny thing. Not that it bothers me, I just didn't quite get how small it was until seeing it in the flesh. I will say it is surprisingly ergonomic for how small it is. However I think the 530 is more versatile when it comes to opening methods. If I

I've got a couple of Benchmades and they're great knives, but that 530 is going to say "dagger" to 95% of non-knife types who see it. It might not be as aggressive looking as a tanto" blade, but most people are still going to see it and think "That's a weapon." The Dragonfly is not going to generate that kind of reaction.

Of course, if a weapon is what you actually want then certainly the 530 will do nicely. But if you're looking for something to slice fruit and open envelopes and remove loose threads and open boxes and all the other little tasks we do daily with an EDC then the Dragonfly is probably a better choice.

 

[Czechmate]

I've had both and they are both excellent knives but for different reasons. The 530 is the ultimate lightweight edc IMO with excellent cutting edge length compard to it's overall size & weight.

I like the design and function so much I'm searching for an REI edition as well as a LTD and Gold Class for a good deal if that gives a hint as to how awesome it is...

I've had two dflys, one full serrated older Aus-8 model and one newer VG10 wire clip model. The ergos are fantastic and it does fit nicely in hand ( I wear XL gloves) I'd get another in a heartbeat esp. the ZDP version. The only con is the short edge length but it is a micro edc/minimalist knife to me.

 

[Indoril]

Well, after much thought and deliberation, I've come to an unexpected conclusion. I will get neither.

The Dragonfly is a very nice small blade, but it costs too much where I am ($60+), and it actually might be slightly too small for my preference. I won't get the 530, because I'll eventually get the 531 instead. I don't know if I'll carry it, but that is a knife I must get just because.

For carrying, I've thrown out a couple of my requirements and will get either the new Kershaw/Emerson collaboration knives CQC-1K or CQC-2K just because they're so cool.

 

[cchu518]

Get a delica!

 

[bleedingfinger]

I am a big fan of the 530,it was one of my first nice knives and still gets alot of edc rotation. I got the blacked out n serrated version which I think looks a little less stabby. But it is true it really looks more weapony then other knives.
It opens switchblade fast which doesn't help. However it is a thinner blade so good for cutting, slicing... But anything resembling hard use I would look elsewhere. I edc for my outside sales job so sometimes days go by before it's used. If I where in a more physical work type field the 530 awesome thin, light, barely there design might not be at good thing. My wife carries a SS tattoo dragonfly. She loves it and I've snuck it out a couple times and I think it's just what you would expect from Spyderco..... It's great. Even in my xxxl hands it's usable, for small to large or even xl hands it's quite impressive handling for its small size.

 

[this_is_nascar]

I'm enjoying this thread. I have both the G10 and the FRN version of the Dragonfly-2 and have been thinking about the 530. I already have a pre-order in for the 531, but was toying with the idea of getting the 530 in the meantime. I too, have the concerns with the "looks" of the blade, especially living here in NJ.

 

[NeilB]

Like so many other people, I have both. Actually, I have two of the 530, a regular production 530 and a Gold Class 531. I like that knife, I truly do. But, yes, it does tend to draw a look when you flick it open and end up with a spear point blade in your hand. Fortunately, I'm a fairly innocuous guy.

My Dragonfly is the Nishijin with the ZDP-189 blade. OMG sharp! OMG! Seriously! I love this thing!

Here's the deal. I didn't start out a fan of Spyderco. Thought the blades looked weird. Still think the blades look weird on most of them. However, I'm finding that I'm a major fan of the Dragonfly. I met my first Dragonfly shortly after I met my current girlfriend. She's a vet tech and her vet carries a stainless steel Dragonfly. I was sharpening my girlfriend's Delica and her vet flashed her Dragonfly. I checked the edge and basically, it was a stick. So, I sharpened it up. That VG-10 steel is just so nice! Shaving sharp in just a few minutes with the incredibly powerful Edge Pro.

The lockup on the Dragonfly is second to none, in my opinion, and I'm a big ZT fanboi (have a 0777 in my back pocket right this second). The Dragonfly just impresses me as a small, but very serious knife. It just works well.

Also, my girlfriend bought me a Ladybug in ZDP-189 for Christmas. I hang it on my keychain (along with a multitool, a flashlight, and a mini-prybar--bring on your zombies!). It, too, has excellent ergonomics and handles like a much bigger knife. And that ZDP-189 blade is just SO sharp! Awesome little knife!

 

[Indoril]

Thanks for the input guys. Looks like the Dragonfly is a very popular EDC choice. Like I said I handled it in the store and it seemed like a very handy little blade, but it was a tad too small than what I would prefer. That aside, If the price was right I probably would have just got it right then and there, but unfortunately it can't be found for under $65 here in Canada, which seems a bit steep for me.

I will be getting not he 530, but the 531 for sure. Even though it's a bit heavier than the 530, it is just so cool to me. Cooler looking scales, and a more utilitarian people-friendly blade shape are a plus. Therefore the 530 is no longer in consideration for me. However, I doubt that will be my go everywhere EDC. I would still be in the market for a small, light, 2 - 2.5 inch blade knife under $50.

 

[Indoril]

Actually, I changed my mind again. And this time it's final, because I placed the order. I went with the Kershaw OD-2 for an EDC knife.

I had the Chill in the past and really liked it, but gave it to a friend. If the OD-2 is anything like that it should be a great carry addition

 

[this_is_nascar]

Actually, I changed my mind again. And this time it's final, because I placed the order. I went with the Kershaw OD-2 for an EDC knife.

I had the Chill in the past and really liked it, but gave it to a friend. If the OD-2 is anything like that it should be a great carry addition

I own the OD-2 as well. I love the flipper. It's a great little knife, priced nicely.

 

[cchu518]

I have a few od2's convenient and very cool but not nearly as convenient as a traditional peanut.

 

[this_is_nascar]

I have a few od2's convenient and very cool but not nearly as convenient as a traditional peanut.

I don't understand.

 

[cchu518]

The OD2 has a similar blade profile and length as a peanut pattern knife I.e. case but is bulkier/wider due to the cam lever. Its still a fun edc if you want a one hand opener.

 

[this_is_nascar]

Thanks.

 

[grownstar]

I don't understand.

A peanut is a type of traditional knife.

Not my pic, but just so you get the idea. They're cool, little blades.