Spyderco Dragonfly review

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Brutus013

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I was wanting my first Spyderco, but I was also tempted to try out a quite small blade, 2" or less, and I then saw a video of the Spyderco Dragonfly. It looked perfect. The blade is just over 2" in length, but the cutting edge is 1 7/8" of VG10. The handles are FRN with Spyderco's volcano texture, and it provides a comfortable, grippy hold. The handle is quite small, but with the finger choil extending a ways onto the blade, accounting for the blade:edge ratio being as it is, you can, without too much trouble, fit all four fingers onto the handle, although it's a tight fit. The blade isn't by any means large, but it is big enough for light tasks; cutting an apple, pear, or any other fruit, opening mail and packages, or even cutting (not carving) meat. The pivot for the blade isn't adjustable, but for me it came well adjusted. I can easily open the knife, and when depressing the lockback, I can swing the blade closed with one hand. There is some side to side play, although I suspect it's from the FRN itself bending, and no front-to-back for up-an-down play. It came shaving sharp out of the box, and a few strokes on the Sharpmaker fine flats brought it up just a bit. There's no gimping on the thumb ramp or finger choil, but on a knife like this I don't mind. I got mine for $36, and I think it was worth it. Did I mention mine has the white FRN scales?
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Overall a classy, small, affordable knife that I'd definitely recommend.
 
The dragonfly is one of my favorite "small" knives :D Nice review, looks real snappy in white too.
 
I do like the Dragonfly, but am not a fan of the molded plastic clip.

PIGP (Powernoodle's Inevitable Gratuitous Pic):

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Dragonfly with Arc AAA.
 
powernoodle said:
I do like the Dragonfly, but am not a fan of the molded plastic clip.

PIGP (Powernoodle's Inevitable Gratuitous Pic):

b13.jpg

Dragonfly with Arc AAA.
Click to expand...

I was thinking about the possibility of a mod, ie cutting/breaking the clip off, sanding it smooth, drilling holes for a clip, and just converting it to a standard clip from some other small knife. I just don't know which clip to try it with, and I also don't have the tools. The clip works for me, though. I wear thicker jeans, so there's plenty for it to hold onto.
 
I got one of these a few months ago, and I love it. A VG-10 Dragonfly is a common sense improvement that Spyderco should have done long ago, but better late than never.:thumbup:
 
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The dragonfly was my first Spyderco also. I had bought it for my son who was 10 at the time and he wanted my Buck knife instead. I traded him and never looked back. They are fantastic little knives. I have 5 now and look forward to the G-10 version that is rumored....nice write up.
 
Very similar to the Dragonfly is the old Spyderco Navigator. I have the Spyderco Navigator II in serrated edge, and it is one of my very favourite knives.
 
I just got one a few weeks ago. Although I love the knife, I'm a lefty so it doesn't get a lot of pocket time. It's a bit awkward to open the way the clip is set and I'm afraid I'll drop it.
 
I hate the molded plastic clip. It just seems fragile to me. That's been putting me off getting one, though if the rumored G-10 one arrives with a metal (Read: not wire!) clip, I'd go for it.
 
I would be interested in the Dragonfly if it was just a smaller Delica: adjustable pivot, metal clip. At least it's VG-10 now, but I like some adjustability in my knives. And I'm not sure how I feel about a plastic clip.
 
Josh K said:
I hate the molded plastic clip. It just seems fragile to me. That's been putting me off getting one, though if the rumored G-10 one arrives with a metal (Read: not wire!) clip, I'd go for it.
Click to expand...

I tend to agree:thumbup:

That's why I gave mine away to a young woman who stalks the streets of Paris with it inside her boot:DShe's very pleased with it.

I just suspected that clip could BREAK OFF at any second and render the knife useless,but perhaps I'm being pessimistic but it did seem flimsy and felt cheap too...steel was good and finish fine etc.
 
How are people clipping these knives to things where they can break easily? I've always clipped the knife inside the pocket or waistband, etc. While I've had 1 or two incidents years ago where a seatbelt pulled a clipped knife out of my pocket I've never managed to break or bend one. The one problem I have with the dragonflys clip is that it's too loose unless you're wearing denim or other thick material.
 
When I was in 4th grade, I bought a Dragonfly. Unfortunately, I was then uninformed about knives and didn't realize it was the AUS-8 version until too late---after I bought it. It's the same design, very good edge geometry and ergonomics, but the quality of the steel obviously is less than that of the VG-10, and it is surprisingly stubborn to sharpen. Get a VG-10 version and you will be happy.
 
The Delica frames last much longer than the Endura frames unfortunately. I have learned first hand that the Enduras collapse on fingers after abuse..
 
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