Trying 5o decide between some of the smaller spydercos.

Which spyderco under 3 inches

  • Dragonfly 2

    Votes: 4 9.5%

  • Delica 4

    Votes: 14 33.3%

  • Native 5

    Votes: 12 28.6%

  • Lil native

    Votes: 3 7.1%

  • Chaparral

    Votes: 9 21.4%
  • Total voters
    42
  • Poll closed .
J

Josh Lucchesi

Joined
Oct 23, 2018
Messages
15
I am looking for a spyderco that is under 3 inches and under 4 ounces. Also I would like it to be a back lock, compression lock or liner lock. my budget is about $40-$120.any suggestions would help.
 
What will its use be? For EDC I'd say Delica or Dragonfly. For work I'd say Native. Can't comment on the chaparral or Lil Native too much.
 
Out of your choices.. Delica or Chap.. I got a Cat too that is a slicer and pocket friendly.. John
 
I'm mainly just looking for edc because I already have a manix 2 but need a knife under 3inches to carry at college.
 
Why not the Persistence? See: https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details/C136G/417

Available online for as low as $35, under 3", liner lock and under 4 ozs. 8Cr13Mov steel is completely functional for normal use and easily sharpened. No worries about losing or ruining the blade. If that happens, just buy another. Entirely suitable for an EDC but, then again, I'm not a blade steel snob.

BTW, I've own 26 Spyders, some quite rare and expensive, and I'm just carrying a Tenacious today.
 
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The Delica is small (not wide) enough that I can still use my pocket if I have to because it doesn’t take up all the room. I can tuck it against my pants seam and sit down without interference.

The chap and native have wider blades and handles. I am not trying to hate on the chap or native because I like them a lot. But the Delica has that going for it if your trying to consider a difference.

If you fold the dragonfly it is a very wide knife considering it only has a 2-5/16” blade.

Delica, native, chaparral
89b2f4a23fdbabfabeffc730db462e8f.jpg
 
Josh Lucchesi said:
I am looking for a spyderco that is under 3 inches and under 4 ounces. Also I would like it to be a back lock, compression lock or liner lock. my budget is about $40-$120.any suggestions would help.
Click to expand...

Josh Lucchesi said:
I'm mainly just looking for edc because I already have a manix 2 but need a knife under 3inches to carry at college.
Click to expand...

If this is for carrying on campus, you would do well to check the knife/weapon policies of the college before choosing a knife.

Of the knives listed, I have the Delica, and a Dragonfly II.
For daily carry when all I really need is a small sharp edge, I prefer the Dragonly. It has the smallest blade and fits most easily into all the tight corners where I might need to cut something.
 
I have a Dragonfly, Delica(s), and the Chaparral LW. They are all different knives.

I carried a Delica for years as my primary EDC. But, truth be told, it doesn't quite fit my hand right. Then when I scratched the hell out of my car with the clip, that was the end of the road for the Delicas. The Dragonfly is awesome and really performs much beyond what one might think for such a small blade. Get one in orange and it will look even less intimidating and be easy to spot if you set it down. It is small enough that you can slip it down into your pocket and not use the clip if you feel it is best for situations.

The Chap is a wonderfully designed knife and a heckuva slicer. But, it just sits in a weird spot for me. It wants to be a bigger knife but can't let go if its childhood stats if you will. It handles great and carries effortlessly but I tend to either drop down to the D'Fly, or step up to the Manix.

Give the byrd Robin a serious look. It's similar to the D'Fly and cheap enough that if you lose it, it won't hurt too bad. And, it might also help you narrow in on preferences.
 
The Dragonfly is much smaller then the other 3 knives. Here's mine next to my Native 5.

hmtUkaH.jpg


Ironically the Dragonfly shown here is the more expensive of the two knives because of the steal. Personally I find the Dragonfly to be the perfect box cutter/keychain knife.

Now for me these are all amazing knives so it comes down to how much you want to spend and knife steel.

Lets suppose you get the FRN lightweight models...From most expensive to cheapest

Lil Native is S30V but I think it only comes in G10 which increases the cost and makes it the most expensive knife.(Made in USA)

Native 5 FRN light weight is far cheaper then the above and is S30V and light weight. (USA)

Chaparral Light weight CTS-XHP steel!!! Made in Taiwan which has fantastic fit and finish.

Delica 4 absolute Spyderco classic but VG10 steel isn't quite as exciting these days as the above, but is made in Japan (which is a big selling point for me).

Personally I would probably have chosen the the Chaparral over the Native 5 if it was available where I live. The only Charparral's we have here are the more exotic carbon fiber models which are double the price.
 
Native and Delica would be my choices - leaning more towards the Native from my own personal experiences. I find it to be the more ergonomic and well-made model overall.
 
The Chaparral is my favorite small knife. It fits my XL hand better than the others on the list. It’s an unbeatable slicer and very well constructed.
 
I picked the Lil Native because it’s the only compression lock knife in your list.

A used PM3 would work too.
 
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Delica or the Chapperal offer the best ergonomics in my opinion.

I've owned all of them and I'd rate them as:

1. Delica
2. Chapperal
3. Lil Native
4. Native 5
5. Dragonfly

Honestly, you can't go wrong with any of them. The Delica, Chapperal and Lil Native are really great, the Native 5 is just, well, funky in hand to me and the Dragonfly is pretty small.

None are bad.
 
Lil native, caly , Lil temp 3 or wolf Spyder.

Because it's best to get some horsepower behind that chode lol !
 
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