between a Dragonfly and a Calypso Jr.?
Was flipping through my catalogue and began to wonder. Any differences in terms of carry, hard use and upkeep? I got a Calypso Jr. already and so am wondering if the Dragonfly a keeper for me? Kinda like the look but unless it it less bulky widthwise I'm not too sure. Delica compactness would be fine...
What's the diff...?
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Shards of Narsil
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The Deacon
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Well, don't know if these pics will help or not, but they do show the comparitive size and thickess of the FRN Dragonfly and Calypso Jr. The size difference is obvious, the weight difference is so slight as to be almost unnoticable. In one respect the Calypso Jr. is slightly wider due to the thicker blade stock and siightly thicker FRN handle, but the built in FRN clip on the Dragonfly brings them just about even in terms of total thickness, clips included. While the Calypso Jr. blade begins with thicker stock, the flat grind reduces that thickess on the working part of the blade to about equal that of the D'fly. The only theoretical advantage is that the locking surface is wider. FRN D'fly is AUS-8 and the Calypso Jr. is VG10, both very good steels IMHO. I find the Calypso Jr. more verstile and more comfortable to use because of the size and the ambi clip, but if you're looking for a smaller package, the D'fy is a fine choice. As far as hard use goes, perhaps VW will chime in here, as his D'flys probably see more use than most.
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Paul
<img src="http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-9/3 ... _right.jpg" width=588 height=450>
<img src="http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-9/3 ... ly_top.jpg" width=600 height=193>
<img src="http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-9/3 ... y_left.jpg" width=603 height=450>
Paul
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vampyrewolf
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Had to work saturday OT, just got home about 30min ago and had a shower... haven't even eaten yet since 10am(1415hrs now).
Been beating on my ss pe 'fly since aug 20, 2001... neck carry since jan 03, 24/7. bed, shower, jogging... everything. it survived 21hrs in bed with me sweating a flu out last fall, a shower or pool isn't gonna kill it.
Bought the 'fly about 2 months before I got my calypso jr lt(ordered the c52pbk a week after getting the 'fly).
If you want to compare stock thickness and sharpness, thin down the blade on your knife. I sharpened my 'fly with sandpaper in july last summer, right on the flats. Hit the strop in Jan, hit the strop again about 2 weeks ago. Doesn't shave hair, but it sure takes off a layer of skin (and could probably take off a finger if you wanted) with the 12deg (ish) inclusive(!) edge. When I sharpened my old Calyspo jr(the 1st one), I took it down to 20deg inclusive on the whites and then 8-10 strokes at 25 with an 800grit. That edge killed.
I pry with it, I use the spine as a screwdriver, I use it to tap nails in, I use it to eat, use it for mundane daily work(threads, envelopes, packages)... lockup is still solid. Lock pivot pin is quite visable against the scale.
Sitting around $40usd online, I have no problems beating on it (and it's not going anywhere soon). Have a 2nd PE 'fly down stairs waiting to replace this one. Plan to get a couple more spares, should get a few more years out of the beater 'fly but it never hurts to have extra knives. Hit it with militec-1 and mineral oil, thats it...
Been carrying the same knife on me for 3yrs(just about), other than about a month total now for sheath work(2 times, 2 work week each). If the SHTF I'll grab my 'fly before my Military. It's quite natural in your hand.
<img src="http://www.members.shaw.ca/pjharyett/sp ... f"><br>Mei Fides, Mei Victus<br>We are programmed to receive. You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.<br>
Edited by - vampyrewolf on 5/29/2004 2:33:58 PM
Been beating on my ss pe 'fly since aug 20, 2001... neck carry since jan 03, 24/7. bed, shower, jogging... everything. it survived 21hrs in bed with me sweating a flu out last fall, a shower or pool isn't gonna kill it.
Bought the 'fly about 2 months before I got my calypso jr lt(ordered the c52pbk a week after getting the 'fly).
If you want to compare stock thickness and sharpness, thin down the blade on your knife. I sharpened my 'fly with sandpaper in july last summer, right on the flats. Hit the strop in Jan, hit the strop again about 2 weeks ago. Doesn't shave hair, but it sure takes off a layer of skin (and could probably take off a finger if you wanted) with the 12deg (ish) inclusive(!) edge. When I sharpened my old Calyspo jr(the 1st one), I took it down to 20deg inclusive on the whites and then 8-10 strokes at 25 with an 800grit. That edge killed.
I pry with it, I use the spine as a screwdriver, I use it to tap nails in, I use it to eat, use it for mundane daily work(threads, envelopes, packages)... lockup is still solid. Lock pivot pin is quite visable against the scale.
Sitting around $40usd online, I have no problems beating on it (and it's not going anywhere soon). Have a 2nd PE 'fly down stairs waiting to replace this one. Plan to get a couple more spares, should get a few more years out of the beater 'fly but it never hurts to have extra knives. Hit it with militec-1 and mineral oil, thats it...
Been carrying the same knife on me for 3yrs(just about), other than about a month total now for sheath work(2 times, 2 work week each). If the SHTF I'll grab my 'fly before my Military. It's quite natural in your hand.
<img src="http://www.members.shaw.ca/pjharyett/sp ... f"><br>Mei Fides, Mei Victus<br>We are programmed to receive. You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.<br>
Edited by - vampyrewolf on 5/29/2004 2:33:58 PM
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Shards of Narsil
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Thanks guys, just got online!
Paul, I'm speechless here. Been looking for something like a Jess Horn for very light sheeple friendly EDC and was thinking the Dragonfly might fit that role and be tougher into the bargain. The pics show it to be much more compact than I thought and that's what I was hoping for. That carbon fibre one is a beauty!
VW, the ATS-55 on the SS 'fly is its major selling point to me as it is one of the steels I don't have experience with yet and I've heard good things. If that came in an FRN package w/ an ambi-clip, I'd get two. I've heard rumours about the SS 'fly's 'thrash-ability', but what you say sounds great! It's 4g heavier than my Native, but it just may be the one then...
Shards
Edited by - Shards of Narsil on 5/30/2004 8:59:19 PM
Paul, I'm speechless here. Been looking for something like a Jess Horn for very light sheeple friendly EDC and was thinking the Dragonfly might fit that role and be tougher into the bargain. The pics show it to be much more compact than I thought and that's what I was hoping for. That carbon fibre one is a beauty!
VW, the ATS-55 on the SS 'fly is its major selling point to me as it is one of the steels I don't have experience with yet and I've heard good things. If that came in an FRN package w/ an ambi-clip, I'd get two. I've heard rumours about the SS 'fly's 'thrash-ability', but what you say sounds great! It's 4g heavier than my Native, but it just may be the one then...
Shards
Edited by - Shards of Narsil on 5/30/2004 8:59:19 PM
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vampyrewolf
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when I manage to kill this one, don't know if it's going in at all for work... be a sort of shrine as to how hard a knife can work. Don't think it'll be covered after the stuff I'v admited to doing with it anyways.
My frn/ats-55 '98 delica got worked a little harder over the 3yrs I had it(late aug 99 to mid aug 02)... used it on our shed and yard in 02... drywall, insulation, wood trimming, opening bundles, cutting roofing shingles, cutting landscaping fabric and sod... other than scratches on the blade it was still solid when I gave it to my buddy(and he still carries it 2yrs later). Touched up the edge on a steel and spydie whites every night while we did the work outside.
ats-55 is a "wonder steel" in it's own right. takes a **** of a beating and still works. Only managed to kill the tip on it by thinning the heck out of it and finding a metal shelving unit while cutting boxes at BK.
Have 1 spare already, wouldn't mind 2-3.
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Mei Fides, Mei Victus
We are programmed to receive. You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.
My frn/ats-55 '98 delica got worked a little harder over the 3yrs I had it(late aug 99 to mid aug 02)... used it on our shed and yard in 02... drywall, insulation, wood trimming, opening bundles, cutting roofing shingles, cutting landscaping fabric and sod... other than scratches on the blade it was still solid when I gave it to my buddy(and he still carries it 2yrs later). Touched up the edge on a steel and spydie whites every night while we did the work outside.
ats-55 is a "wonder steel" in it's own right. takes a **** of a beating and still works. Only managed to kill the tip on it by thinning the heck out of it and finding a metal shelving unit while cutting boxes at BK.
Have 1 spare already, wouldn't mind 2-3.
<img src="http://www.members.shaw.ca/pjharyett/sp ... pyder5.gif">
Mei Fides, Mei Victus
We are programmed to receive. You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.