Thoughts on Short Spydies? (Ambitious vs Cat/Chicago G-10 vs Dragonfly 2 vs . . . )

I don't like any knife with less than 4 1/4 handle. It's my personal problem. I do carry a Salt1 and Tasman Salt on my wade belt but that's because I fish saltwater.
I have a Delica but greatly prefer 4 1/2 to 5 " handles.
Therefore I will not be adding anything to this discussion :)
 
The ambitious is great for the price, it's actually one of the main blades I carry - the 8cr13 doesn't hold its edge as well as some, but it's perfectly adequate for edc and will easily take a great hair splitting edge that's easy to maintain with a strop. It's a bit bulky for the blade length, but not so much it bothers me for the most part. Plus the heft adds some authority when you open it and it instills lots of confidence in the lockup etc.

I love the dragonflys in g10, not so much the frn versions for my usage, too light and flimsy feeling. Regardless, the blade tip is more delicate than the ambitious and the choil makes it easy to get very precise with it.

The delica is just an all around winner. I'd love to get one in g10 if they come out again, but the frn is fine. Size, shape, ergos, steel - all fantastic. And to be honest it wont look any more intimidating than an ambitious despite the length increase.
 
Ecchi-Spud said:
I'm more interested in having a locking blade. But I have to say -- [the Squeak is] VEEERY TEMPTING!! Maybe sometime in the future (in black) . . .
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I don't know if any of you are familiar with old video games, but I'm reminded of SNK's old logo: "The Future is Now." I kept the Squeak on my wish list, thinking that if it's ever put on special, I'd bite.

Well, it was put on special (normally just under $50 -- now about $43 and change). And I bit. ALL BEFORE the Cat has even arrived. :cat:

I swear -- the next Spydie I get HAS GOT to be a larger model.
 
I love my Dragonfly. I have the salt version, and I carry it more than any other knife. The yellow handles make it pretty sheeple friendly and I enjoy h1 steel. Dang near perfect rust resistance and it's easy enough to sharpen and maintain an edge. I'd compare it to a well done 440c. It's a great size for every day tasks and I love carrying it with me on the kayak for managing tackle, whether it's trimming tag ends of fishing line or cutting weight pegs. The dragonfly has my vote
 
I love my Dragonfly 2 in ZDP-189. Great little knife.
 
Most small knives, like the Cat and Dragonfly, have tiny handles to go with their tiny blades. I've had both and they just didn't work for me for anything other than opening envelopes.

The only "small" folder I've ever used that worked for me is the Lava. It's a sub 2" blade, but the handle allows a full grip on it. It's extremely controllable for such a small knife. Get one while you can, there's still a few out there from last year's long-awaited sprint run.
 
I went through several cycles of thought and questioning before realizing what I really wanted/needed in a knife. I have no need for a blade longer than 3", 2.5" to be honest. I'd thought about a PM2, but realized that I would rarely, if ever, need a blade that long. I honed in on the shorter bladed knives and realized that the Dragonfly was the right blade for me. However, I do not like the FRN, so I got to looking at the G10, which is good, but figured why not go all out. So I requested the ZDP-189 w/Nishijin scales for Christmas, and received it. It fits perfectly in the coin pocket of my jeans and I can count on one hand the number of days I've not had it on me since Christmas.

Should you choose to get a Dragonfly, I feel that you'll be very happy w/your choice.

Compact carry, yet not so small that t feels small in the hand. A wide range of materials for both blade and scales makes for a wide range of prices.
 
I'm not a small knife fan and I usually carry something in between a Paramilitary2 and an actual Military. I do have a Dragonfly that I sometimes carry as a second kninfe. I think it is too small for me to use for anything serious, but it is small enough that I can carry it in my crowded pockets. Depending on space limitations I would recommend the Delica instead. It isn't that most people need long blades although sometimes I actually do, but I usually need a larger handle than most small knives come with. But fortunately for the OP, there are a lot of good smaller knives available.
 
I have a Cat G10 and all I have to say is, "Get one". You will not be disappointed. I use this as my travel knife, but it goes with me when I go to BBQ (always someone who needs to cut a steak or chop). I have several Dragonfies. I think they are wonderful and you will love them. I have the G10, Nishijin, and several FRN's. The G10 is my favorite.
If you want to go longer, get a Delica, by all means. It is more useful, all around than the Endura. You should get an Endura, also, but get the Delica first.
 
(ON A SIDE NOTE) Regarding the "Delica vs. Endura: Which will I get FIRST" question I mentioned at the very beginning of this thread -- when that happens, what I might do may be to simply get BOTH at the same time.

But that'll be MUCH later on (if not this year, almost certainly early the next). Already I'm dealing with two new Spydies in the mail (the Cat should be arriving this weekend :triumphant:), and the Wish List keeps getting more and more Spydies added to it. I'm trying to exercise some control; patience and Persistence (or Tenacious) . . .
 
I've owned them all, only have a Dragonfly salt now

The dragonfly is THE little big knife in my opinion!
 
I would get the cat as i already have 2 dragonflys (1 & 2), ive never held a cat though. However i really love the ergonomics on the df2. The main reasons i would personally get the cat is because 1.) i dont yet own a 440C knife, and 2.) its a spyderco :D. The dragonfly though you have a variety if options ranging from steels,handel material, and colors. I recently picked up the purple sprint run frn dragonfly and if you like purple you'll like that one. A vg-10 df2 for around $50 not bad. i would pick up the df2 over the cat if i didnt already own a df2.
 
Spyderco keeps on finding new designs to fill the 'short blade' category. For example, they're working on a new mini-version of the Lum Chinese Folder, I can't wait to add this one to my collection of 'little big knives' from Spyderco.

 
Mr Blonde said:
Spyderco keeps on finding new designs to fill the 'short blade' category. For example, they're working on a new mini-version of the Lum Chinese Folder, I can't wait to add this one to my collection of 'little big knives' from Spyderco.

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That looks awesome. If it were anything but a line lock or frame lock I would be all over it. (This is what keeps me from getting a Millie)
 
I bought one of the Clipitools, twin bladed one with plain and serrated blades, felt ripped off - well made but far too much money for what I got. Prices are different in the U.K. but £27 - $41 - expensive, but at least I now know I dislike Spyderedge as much as other serrations. Next time it's a Pingo.
 
Mr Blonde said:
Spyderco keeps on finding new designs to fill the 'short blade' category. For example, they're working on a new mini-version of the Lum Chinese Folder, I can't wait to add this one to my collection of 'little big knives' from Spyderco.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I noticed this one earlier (along w/ the other prototypes covered by spydercollector) -- and, according to the specs, may certainly fit as a "small Spydie" (blade length of 2.56 inches, closed length of 3.15 in). Right now, I'm a little more tempted by the Lil' Temperance 2 and the byrd Raven 2 prototypes (both of which are NOT small). Still . . . More Spydie love (large AND small) coming our way (hopefully SOON!!).
 
I think my Dragonfly ZDP189 is maybe my favourite knife I've ever owned . It isn't my first choice if I have serious cutting tasks , but it so pocket friendly it is always on me even if I'm carrying something bigger .
I carry it clipped in my shirt pocket next to my pen and AAA flashlight . It is easily reached no matter what I'm doing , especially when I'm sitting down . Its super light weight allows it to be carried in my shirt pocket without it being uncomfortable or dragging my shirt out of shape , and the wire clip doesn't look out of place next to my pen and flashlight . I suspect 99% of people don't even realise its a knife .
Its funny how with all the knife options out there that a little FRN handled knife is my favourite . I do highly recommend the ZDP 189 steel it takes the Dragonfly to a higher level of excellence in my opinion .

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Ken
 
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