Trying to Go All Spydie, Need Help Choosing One More

evilgreg

evilgreg

Why so serious?
Joined
Dec 25, 2012
Messages
4,092
I have a weird set of itty-bitty knife requirements and I'm looking for the right Spyderco knife to fill them:

2.5" or less blade (strict, 2.55" is out)
Preferably something that looks nice with business attire
Any steel type is fine
No budget requirements (cheap is fine, expensive is fine too)

The 2.5" limit (trying to actually be compliant with the Chicago law for once) rules out the Techno and Air. The options that I've come up with so far are:

Spyderco Cat
Spyderco Dragonfly Stainless
Spyderco Leaf Storm

I really like the look of the Leaf Storm, but the Cat and Dragonfly both look like they'd be more comfortable for actual use, with more handle to hold. I'm sort of bummed to see that there used to be a CF Cat, that looks like it would maybe have been just right for my use.

Any suggestions?
 
Since you like the CF Cat, consider maybe its G10 sibling.

[youtube]sEOgE2_w1cI[/youtube]
 
Get Kopa. IMHO look wise will beat any of these three.They were discontinued few years ago. But couple of them at exchange rigght now at very decent price.
I carry one f or a few years. Great ergos. In addition to a great look, Kopa is very capable knife. Blade length is 2.5"
 
THE PUNISHER said:
Spyderco Dragonfly Stainless

i got the frn #,
thumbs up.
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9blades said:
That:thumbup:
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powernoodle said:
Since you like the CF Cat, consider maybe its G10 sibling.
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These two are still my top choices out of the current lineup, thanks!

simioh said:
Do you have the Spyderco Chicago? It's made to comply with Chicago laws.
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That one is too small. The Chicago limit is 2.5" for adults, 2" for folks under 18, IIRC. I'd rather stay closer to 2.5" if I can.


bh49 said:
Get Kopa. IMHO look wise will beat any of these three.They were discontinued few years ago. But couple of them at exchange rigght now at very decent price.
I carry one f or a few years. Great ergos. In addition to a great look, Kopa is very capable knife. Blade length is 2.5"
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I had no idea those existed, and that looks sort of perfect. I'm a sucker for CF, so I just sent payment for a CF version that was on the Exchange. Thanks, bh49!
 
I love my Leaf Storm.

Quirky little design, fits in the 2.5" category (I live in Chicago as well). It's like a little razor blade... nice hollow grind. I find it comfortable to hold. I love sheepsfoot blades. Great for most utility purposes. I have a strange obsession with Jade G10, so I love the color. The pictures of the Leaf Storm don't do the color justice, looks much less putrid green in person. Would add a Titanium framelock to your collection... hard to find them in the Chicago limit. Looks friendly enough to not scare off non knife people.

My second choice would be the Cricket. The hawkbill-esque blade is great for slicing through stuff. If you use your knives for stuff like cutting cardboard/tape/letters, it's perfect. Doesn't catch on anything. Not the most comfortable to hold, but it's not bad. Looks classy enough. Makes a good money clip. There's a carbon fiber version, but it's hard to come by. Stainless steel version is nice. Nishijin glass version, some love some hate, but I think it goes well with business attire. Least intimidating blade shape ever. Thin as hell, doesn't show in anything. Cool little knife.

I own both, and carry both fairly often. Highly recommend both. I also owned a Spyderco Cat and Chicago (Carbon fiber), but I prefer these two. They had too many quality issues, and they were going for insane rates second hand, so I traded them off for more expensive stuff. If you're wearing them with business attire, the Leaf Storm and Cricket fit the bill much better than something like the Dragonfly. The Dragonfly, Chicago, and Cat are just a small knife meant to be used; the Leaf Storm and Cricket have a uniqueness that make them part of the attire, much like a watch or tie clip or whatever you wear.
 
nccole said:
The Meerkat is a pretty cool little knife.
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Neat, I'd never seen that one either.

9blades said:
Oh and a smachet....
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Obviously, all options would supplement the omnipresent, don't-leave-home-without-it smatchet. ;)

SolidState said:
CF balance is a great little knife.
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Really? That one is a little too, well, Spyderco for me, at least to look at.

lobodelanoche said:
I would say the Dragonfly, just an absolutely great blade can choose your steel, and handle material.
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I'm starting with a somewhat dragonfly-like Kopa, but I may still try a Dragonfly or Cat as well.

weebus said:
I love my Leaf Storm.

Quirky little design, fits in the 2.5" category (I live in Chicago as well). It's like a little razor blade... nice hollow grind. I find it comfortable to hold. I love sheepsfoot blades. Great for most utility purposes. I have a strange obsession with Jade G10, so I love the color. The pictures of the Leaf Storm don't do the color justice, looks much less putrid green in person. Would add a Titanium framelock to your collection... hard to find them in the Chicago limit. Looks friendly enough to not scare off non knife people.
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I like the way it looks, but if for a knife that tiny the whole half handle/half blade choil setup popular on so many Spyderco knives (like the Dragonfly or Cat) really makes sense to me--it seems like it would make a tiny knife more comfortable to use.

Also, I have some titanium frame locks, even if I'm not a frame lock fan. Even a couple of Spyderco titanium frame locks:

2O7CUuB.jpg


weebus said:
My second choice would be the Cricket. The hawkbill-esque blade is great for slicing through stuff. If you use your knives for stuff like cutting cardboard/tape/letters, it's perfect. Doesn't catch on anything. Not the most comfortable to hold, but it's not bad. Looks classy enough. Makes a good money clip. There's a carbon fiber version, but it's hard to come by. Stainless steel version is nice. Nishijin glass version, some love some hate, but I think it goes well with business attire. Least intimidating blade shape ever. Thin as hell, doesn't show in anything. Cool little knife.

I own both, and carry both fairly often. Highly recommend both. I also owned a Spyderco Cat and Chicago (Carbon fiber), but I prefer these two. They had too many quality issues, and they were going for insane rates second hand, so I traded them off for more expensive stuff. If you're wearing them with business attire, the Leaf Storm and Cricket fit the bill much better than something like the Dragonfly. The Dragonfly, Chicago, and Cat are just a small knife meant to be used; the Leaf Storm and Cricket have a uniqueness that make them part of the attire, much like a watch or tie clip or whatever you wear.
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Can't do the Cricket, again that's a bit too Spyderco for me. The Southard and Sage 2 I can swing, I don't see a Cricket or Dodo or other overly funky Spyderco in my future just yet.

The Kopa is on the way, and it will give me one dressy little Spydie to go with my LSCF Southard and Sage 2 for my little foray into all Spydie all the time territory for EDC, and I may have to grab myself a leaf storm as well. A lot of reviews seem to knock the Leaf Storm's ergos, but it is kind of cute and quirky in its own way. Besides, it can't hurt to give it a try ;)
 
I love the Dragonfly in all it's myriad forms...It's so small and yet it fits my hand like a glove...Kopa is a good choice too though!
 
evilgreg said:
I had no idea those existed, and that looks sort of perfect. I'm a sucker for CF, so I just sent payment for a CF version that was on the Exchange. Thanks, bh49!
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CF Kopa is fine, but here mo ideas. Pictures by WhyNot
Gold Mother of Purl, Micarta, Apple coral, Tiger Coral, Terquise, Evrina (man made ivory), Black Quince, Cocobolo
AllKopas.jpg


Purl/Abalone, Giraffe Bone, Terquise, Cocobolo, Tiger Coral, Three Flavors (White and Black MOP, Abolone), Pacific Blue Bone, Tiger Coral, GMP, Honey Jigged Bone.
WeekendKopas.jpg

I didn't see CF Kopa on exchange, but I saw Giraffe bone. They are exquisite and no two the same. Asking price the even less than we paid, when they came out. They go for much more on the auctions. There are 16 variants.
 
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I carry one of 2 spyderco knives on a regular basis during the work week, but they are both over 2.5". The closest is the Spyderco urban slipit which is just over 2.5" and then the Chapparal which is 2.8". Never had a problem in the city. Show them government cronies who is boss and carry the awesome Chapparal Ti!!! :D
 
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