Which Dragonfly?

Buffalohump

Buffalohump

Joined
Sep 7, 2006
Messages
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Want to pick up a Dragonfly to ride in my satchel for those times when I run out the house without a knife or I dont want to whip out a full size folder in a crowded room.

I was keen on the ZDP-189 FRN version but now I see there's a Nishjin version out... then there's the G-10/VG-10 one... so many choices!

What say youse guys? Which one gives best bang for the buck?
 
I have an h1/FRN and a g10/VG10. hands down the G10. Now a ZDP189/G10 would be the best but that animal does not exist yet.
 
Buffalohump said:
Which one gives best bang for the buck?
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The regular FRN flavor with VG-10 is - in my view - the best bang for the buck. But if you want to impress the chicks, go with orange.

20130816_142616_zps5fb29588.jpg
 
I probably wouldn't go with the Nishjin version since it's expensive and doesn't use the wire clip. I would either go with the ZDP version if you want the edge retention or the G-10 version if you want a sturdier handle. There is also a sprint Super-blue version coming out sometime over the next few months as well.

A lot of people who really love the Dragonfly end up making a 'Franken-fly' where they will take the ZDP blade and put it in the G-10 handle to get the best of both worlds.
 
Personally I like the heft and feel of the knife in G10. FRN is functional and light but the G10 just feels solid to me. Nothing against the FRN version but the G10 gets more pocket time.
 
if you dont mind FRN and are on a budget then you can't go wrong there. But if you were looking at the ZDP, then I would definitely spend the little extra on the G10. It feels amazing in hand, mine flips open awesome. Won't regret it.
 
I love the 1.2 oz FRN Dragonflys. When I consider a step up to steel liners I think of the CF Chaparral at 2.5 oz.
 
landromus said:
I love the 1.2 oz FRN Dragonflys. When I consider a step up to steel liners I think of the CF Chaparral at 2.5 oz.
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Agreed! The frn one is amazingly light! I clip mine IWB at 4 o'clock at the gym and it disappears!
 
Just got a G10/VG10 model and LOVE it. Sure, it weighs a bit more, but twice nothing is still a pittance.
The solidity of this little knife is fantastic, and it's certainly not heavy.

I'd love a steel-framed version with the lighter FRN in fancy colors. I like the VG10 steel so far, no reason to chase another for me.
 
I have an old FRN version, with AUS 8 steel. It performs just fine. Personally, any Dragonfly will do, its a question of what you can afford. And what would you do with the extra cash instead, if you went for a cheap one.
 
I must admit, I do prefer a bit of weight in a smaller knife. I was even thinking of the Caly 3 ZDP-189 / CF as an option. A heavier knife just feels better in the hand, but I did want to try and keep it under $100...
 
powernoodle said:
The regular FRN flavor with VG-10 is - in my view - the best bang for the buck. But if you want to impress the chicks, go with orange.

20130816_142616_zps5fb29588.jpg
Click to expand...

I noticed that your DF has torx pivot and pins. My old model, and the vids on youtube are simply pins or rivets. Is this a mod or special version?

EDIT: I noticed in some vids that the DF has torx and some just pins.
 
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I have a salt H1, a G10/VG-10 (not mine but its been sitting in my safe waiting on a project for a friend) and a ZDP/FRN one and the FRN/ZDP one is the only one to get carried (the G10 was originally mine but I hated it immedentally cause its 2x the weight).
 
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