Spydie, light, 2" blade or so

L

LawyerSam

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Jun 25, 2010
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First Spyderco is a Persistence. Love it. Got a Delica coming any day and it will probably be carried more since it is lighter. But I am thinking I would like something that is smaller and even lighter, something about as small as a SOG Flash 2 that I held. Unless you tell me that what I am looking at is not going to be all that much smaller or lighter than the Delica - which is what I would love to hear.

I am thinking a Ladybug or a Dragonfly would work. You might tell me that there are drawbacks (grip concerns?). I am reading up on the CLipits and stuff like that, but I am concerned about the lack of a lock. Anyway, looking to stay under $40.

I am thinking a small pocket knife, not a clipped on one, would be great to just carry even in suits.
 
For me, being lefty, the only negative to the FRN Dragonfly is the built in FRN clip. Aside from that it's a great little knife. The G-10 version would still be lighter than your Delica and is more comfortable in the hand. The Ladybug is an excellent key chain knife but, IMHO, a bit small to rely on as a sole EDC. Fine for cutting the string on a price tag, but the two finger grip can become tedious fairly quickly.

If lighter is more important than smaller, consider the Salt I. It's the unlined FRN previous generation of your Delica, with an H-1 blade.

Paul
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My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Kiwimania ---- Spydiewiki
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twisted up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
 
The Deacon said:
If lighter is more important than smaller, consider the Salt I. It's the unlined FRN previous generation of your Delica, with an H-1 blade.

Paul


Well, I think the Persistence is 3.3 ounces and the Delica is 2.2 ounces. I don't think that the weight is going to be an issue once you are down to 2 ounces or less. I was thinking that even then, the Delica is going to be a noticeable lump in pants when I don't have one of those pockets that have a smaller key or change pocket within the pocket. I dont really like the look of what my Dad calls a pen knife (those that I used to carry to school in the 70's and open with the little thin slit built into the blade). I also do not really like the SAK or multi-tool, and well, the SOG Flash 2 was small and nice. Thinking something along the line of a 2 inch blade and very small and light without a clip so that it would be about as small as the remote to a car. Saw that the Dragonfly defeats that. It may be that the Delica is it. It is not here yet :(. The Persistence, I love it, but to carry it in my suit pants, it is a tad on the heavy side and noticeable when clipped and also when in pants pockets that dont have the inner pocket inside.
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I think the Ladybug fits what you're looking for, blade length is just under 2 inches, price is right and you would probably not even notice it in your pocket.
 
You might consider looking for a CF Kiwi. :D Compact, clipless, disappears nicely into a watch pocket.

carbon_fiber_kiwi_13.jpg

Paul
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My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Kiwimania ---- Spydiewiki
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twisted up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
 
I was able to snag 2 Ladybugs off of a certain auction site for $20 shipped each. I couldn't resist trying it for that kind of price. For the size, it's a capable knife. I like it a lot, it's the EDC knife that I know I'll never forget to pocket (on my keys). Grip isn't as bad as I imagined it would be, partly since the keys kinda give it a full, 4 finger grip. With a little practice I can even flick it open with the Spydie hole, just like on the grown up sizes.

No, I wouldn't want it as my sole camp/work knife, and no, I wouldn't want to clean animals with it. But I'm willing to bet that it will take care of any EDC needs you will encounter while wearing a suit, and you won't be able to tell it's in your pocket. Plus it has nicer steel than the Flash.

A Kiwi or Kopa would def look much more sophisticated, and be a very high quality blade.
 
Can someone picture a kiwi and/or kopa next to a ladybug? I am thinking that I will use it say when i am at some other office and a package comes in and they run to look for scissors. Viola, Spydie to the rescue. I like that $20 price, and I guess the grip is gonna be good for letters, smaller cutting jobs. Anything big, Ill have a Persistence in the desk or a Delica at home. I am guess Kiwi or Kopa gonna be more $$
 
The Ladybug is over kill for a letter opener :) . You can cut zip ties with it no worries. I've used mine to chamfer hard wood on a joint for a podium that shrunk during a convention. Having keys or microlight or fob attached to it offers additional purchase offsetting the 2 1/2 finger grip. VG10 steel and the edge it can take + retention from it is awesome for it's size.

dscn0158y.jpg


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with fob = easier 1 handed opening too

dscn0160jg.jpg


If you want something more dressy, the Kiwi or Koppa are the ticket but if you are after a simple compact yet very capable cutting tool that can ride on your key chain, the Ladybug is excellent!

Another consideration: the Baby Goddard, it's a two finger grip so I'd recommend a fob or some kind if you need additional grip purchase
 
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LawyerSam said:
Can someone picture a kiwi and/or kopa next to a ladybug? I am thinking that I will use it say when i am at some other office and a package comes in and they run to look for scissors. Viola, Spydie to the rescue. I like that $20 price, and I guess the grip is gonna be good for letters, smaller cutting jobs. Anything big, Ill have a Persistence in the desk or a Delica at home. I am guess Kiwi or Kopa gonna be more $$
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Closed and open shots, with a couple other common models thrown in for size comparison.

d4_dfly_kiwi_kopa_ldybug_closed.jpg


d4_dfly_kiwi_kopa_ldybug_open.jpg

​

Paul
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My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Kiwimania ---- Spydiewiki
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twisted up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
 
Wow, the Delica looks positively huge compared to the Ladybug. Guess the size of that carbon fiber one might be a good compromise.
 
Paul, can you name those knives? I am loving the size of the Kiwi but I want a textured, FRN handle, something light.
 
LawyerSam said:
Paul, can you name those knives? I am loving the size of the Kiwi but I want a textured, FRN handle, something light.
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Sure. In the closed view, from left to right:

  • Stainless Steel Ladybug III
  • Stainless Steel Dragonfly with custom wood marquetry overlay by Santa Fe Stoneworks
  • Carbon Fiber Kiwi
  • Jigged Bone Kopa
  • Pink Delica IV

Unfortunately the only lightweight FRN model that size would be the Dragonfly.

Paul
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My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Kiwimania ---- Spydiewiki
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twisted up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
 
IMO, the Ladybug is way too small for edc! However, I do like the Kiwi or Kopa Models. (in whatever flavor, to an extent) you want. I particularly like the Kopa line-up, very impressive (as can be seen on Deacon’s website – along with about every other Spyderco :cool:). The Kiwi’s are real sweet too.
My preference is the Tiger Coral Kopa.
 
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