Pound for pound the highest performing Spyderco is...

[Evil D]

To be clear: Never had any version of the Ladybug!

But I could imagine that perhaps the new Salt SE 2 in LC outperforms it pound for pound??

Three times the weight (so still really light), yes, but same thin bladestock but in ffg, a full handle and a much longer cutting edge should make it a much better performer not in all, but many tasks? (But I don't know if THREE times better )

You should pick one up. It's an amazing amount of cutting power in a tiny package. If you start comparing full size models to a Ladybug you've sorta missed the point. This knife isn't great because of what you compare it to, it's great for being as useful as it is for being so small and light.

[Wartstein]

...

You should pick one up. It's an amazing amount of cutting power in a tiny package. If you start comparing full size models to a Ladybug you've sorta missed the point. This knife isn't great because of what you compare it to, it's great for being as useful as it is for being so small and light.

I think you´re right... :o

[Doc Dan]

Well, I was thinking about picking up a Manbug to have a second Spyderco in the bottom of my pocket (or maybe as a keychain knife, or maybe as a neck knife), but perhaps I'll have to take another look at the Ladybug.

There is a sheath you can get for neck carry that opens the Ladybug or Manbug as you pull it out. I have been intending to get one.

[Doc Dan]

...

You should pick one up. It's an amazing amount of cutting power in a tiny package. If you start comparing full size models to a Ladybug you've sorta missed the point. This knife isn't great because of what you compare it to, it's great for being as useful as it is for being so small and light.

I think you´re right... :o

You need one.

I find the Manbug to be easier to open with one hand as my hands are large, but I can do it with either one. Dexterity and practice. However, that serrated edge hawkbill Ladybug is a eye opener for a cutting machine. I might like the regular blade shape even more, I'm thinking.

[JD Spydo]

I think there is a case to be made for the CRICKET and DODO models to qualify as "high performing" when you consider how much you can do with those smaller, genius Spyderco models.

Every week I marvel at how much I can do in the kitchen with my older AUS-8, full SE Catcherman model. But I can't stop with any of those models because I've gotten excellent performance with several Spyderco models over the years.

As simple as the TEMPERANCE 1 model appears to be it still amazes me how great of an ergonomic design it is. There is a case to be made for all the models we've mentioned so far.

[ladybug93]

I think there is a case to be made for the CRICKET and DODO models to qualify as "high performing" when you consider how much you can do with those smaller, genius Spyderco models.

Every week I marvel at how much I can do in the kitchen with my older AUS-8, full SE Catcherman model. But I can't stop with any of those models because I've gotten excellent performance with several Spyderco models over the years.

As simple as the TEMPERANCE 1 model appears to be it still amazes me how great of an ergonomic design it is. There is a case to be made for all the models we've mentioned so far.

yOu UsE a fOldEr iN tHe kItcHeN?! :D

[araneae]

The Ladybug Salt SE.

That's right. The highest performance-to-weight ratio you can get is this little fella right here:





That is 0.6oz of pocket chainsaw right there.

You're probably thinking, "no David you're wrong because the HAWKBILL is more aggressive", and you wouldn't be wrong for thinking that but it doesn't slice as well as the standard version and being a hawkbill means it isn't as versatile.

Now if only we could get a Ladybug Salt in FFG LC200N and serrations!

I think you are very close, but I'd say the hawkbill wins for me. It may not slice as pretty, but it gets the work done when needed and eats zip ties, clam packs and even roots for breakfast.

[ladybug93]

d, what kind of lanyard knot did you do on this? i've been looking for something that gives me a loop at both ends.

[Evil D]

d, what kind of lanyard knot did you do on this? i've been looking for something that gives me a loop at both ends.

If you can make a noose knot, just loop the end back around and make a Z with it and wrap the coils around all 3 strands in the middle, then thread it through and snip the ends. It's a double ended noose knot.

[Bill1170]

I have both Ladybug Salt versions in SE, and they are high value per pound. I think the standard shape is more versatile, but the hawkbill better complements the larger folder I usually carry. I have to know: who has done a wave mod on a Ladybug? I find it awkward to open one-handed, and a wave hook plus a lanyard constitutes one possible solution to this.

[JD Spydo]

I think there is a case to be made for the CRICKET and DODO models to qualify as "high performing" when you consider how much you can do with those smaller, genius Spyderco models.

Every week I marvel at how much I can do in the kitchen with my older AUS-8, full SE Catcherman model. But I can't stop with any of those models because I've gotten excellent performance with several Spyderco models over the years.

As simple as the TEMPERANCE 1 model appears to be it still amazes me how great of an ergonomic design it is. There is a case to be made for all the models we've mentioned so far.

yOu UsE a fOldEr iN tHe kItcHeN?! :D

I've used Spyderco folders in the kitchen on several occasions. Just the other day I used my C-60 Ayoob to slice up a pork tenderloin and it worked like a charm. I've used my AUS-8, full SE Catcherman model so many times in the kitchen that you would think it was meant to be a kitchen knife to begin with. There is a simple philosophy that I have lived by for the past 25 years and it simply says "Whatever Works".

The Catcherman is a folding fillet knife but I can tell you that it's still one of the very best fillet knives I've ever used. Also I've used my M390 MIlitary model in the kitchen many, many times.

[ladybug93]

I've used Spyderco folders in the kitchen on several occasions. Just the other day I used my C-60 Ayoob to slice up a pork tenderloin and it worked like a charm. I've used my AUS-8, full SE Catcherman model so many times in the kitchen that you would think it was meant to be a kitchen knife to begin with. There is a simple philosophy that I have lived by for the past 25 years and it simply says "Whatever Works".

The Catcherman is a folding fillet knife but I can tell you that it's still one of the very best fillet knives I've ever used. Also I've used my M390 MIlitary model in the kitchen many, many times.

i was just joking because of all the talk about how folders shouldn't be used for food prep.

[StuntZombie]

I sorta agree with you, but for me it's the Manbug. Almost the same length blade and edge as the Dragonfly, in a much smaller package. I've actually only been carrying the Manbug this week at work, and it hasn't left me hanging yet.

[wrdwrght]

No question that Bugs are shockingly capable.

But In marveling at this fact, we may be missing how knives scale.

Surely a thicker-bladed Spydie can do more harder matter-separation with less effort than a Bug.

A .22LR can do a lot of things, but in some instances a 10mm does it better.

[Evil D]

No question that Bugs are shockingly capable.

But In marveling at this fact, we may be missing how knives scale.

Surely a thicker-bladed Spydie can do more harder matter-separation with less effort than a Bug.

A .22LR can do a lot of things, but in some instances a 10mm does it better.

Hence the "pound for pound" part. That was kind of a clause I deliberately put in since even a Dragonfly is significantly more capable. As the saying with guns go, the most effective carry gun is the one you'll actually carry so that's where a .22 may be more practical than the 10mm.

Even besides all that though, these comparisons are assuming that a person chooses to carry ONLY a Ladybug, and while I'm sure some people do (especially the Manbug), it's not something I'd do unless I had to. They're handy and they're surprisingly capable, but as I said in the big blade debate I can do everything a Ladybug can do with a Caribbean but I can't do all Caribbean tasks with a Ladybug.

I mean, you just can't cut a double layer birthday cake with a Ladybug and food prep is a mandatory EDC need after all :p

[jpm2]

Pound for pound folding knife performance has always been measured by blade length for me. Equilibrium in that respect is 3 - 3.25 inches. This is in regard to blade length up to 4 inches. After that, the extra length needed for specialized tasks is justified, and best served by non folders.

[wrdwrght]

No question that Bugs are shockingly capable.

But In marveling at this fact, we may be missing how knives scale.

Surely a thicker-bladed Spydie can do more harder matter-separation with less effort than a Bug.

A .22LR can do a lot of things, but in some instances a 10mm does it better.

Hence the "pound for pound" part. That was kind of a clause I deliberately put in since even a Dragonfly is significantly more capable. As the saying with guns go, the most effective carry gun is the one you'll actually carry so that's where a .22 may be more practical than the 10mm.

Even besides all that though, these comparisons are assuming that a person chooses to carry ONLY a Ladybug, and while I'm sure some people do (especially the Manbug), it's not something I'd do unless I had to. They're handy and they're surprisingly capable, but as I said in the big blade debate I can do everything a Ladybug can do with a Caribbean but I can't do all Caribbean tasks with a Ladybug.

I mean, you just can't cut a double layer birthday cake with a Ladybug and food prep is a mandatory EDC need after all :p

I think “pound for pound” threw me. Had you said “punches above its weight”, I probably would just have nodded. :)

[bbturbodad]

Well, I was thinking about picking up a Manbug to have a second Spyderco in the bottom of my pocket (or maybe as a keychain knife, or maybe as a neck knife), but perhaps I'll have to take another look at the Ladybug.

There is a sheath you can get for neck carry that opens the Ladybug or Manbug as you pull it out. I have been intending to get one.

The sheath's for the Man and Ladybug's work well. I have one for each model and my wife uses one daily with her Ladybug.

Here's an old pic of my Manbug...

[ladybug93]

ooh... i need one of these for mine!

[ladybug93]

d, thanks for the idea. i went a different route and did two lanyard knots that pass through each other and lock against each other. two loops!