Less than 3" Blade, Deep Pocket, $40-$100 Options?

[10SBUM]

I'm looking for an EDC knife that:
- has a blade less than 3 inches (in the 2" to 2.5" range would be ideal)
- is priced $40 to $100 (looking to go up in quality from current knives)
- offers Deep Pocket Carry (would prefer it not to be seen when taking it to work)
- weighs 3 ounces or less (currently carrying a Cryo deep pocket and 3.8 ounces seems a bit too heavy for my khaki work pants)

What are all my possible choices from Spyderco?*

Which one (or two) would you recommend as the best choice from the options available?

*I've tried numerous sites that show Spyderco knives but either they don't allow me to put in all the criteria I want or they don't pull up all the knives that fit in that criteria

Thank you for any and all help you can provide!

10SBUM

[jmh58]

Chaparral!!! You can pick one up pre-owned for close to the high side of limit.. John

[RjB]

If the DF2's wire clip slot would be lengthened to straddle the lanyard tube hole, it sinks it as deep as is possible short of removing the clip entirely. FRN and G10 versions fall in your $ range. Cutting edge is just under your 2" criteria- it cuts like a much longer blade though. You probably wont miss that 1/8". 1.2-2.0 oz the DF2 is nearly imperceptible weight wise.

[bearfacedkiller]

Chaparral1 or G10 Dragonfly would be my suggestions.

[abbazaba]

Welcome to the forum. Chaparral without doubt. Can be had just under 100 and it punches well above its price point.

Sage, Cryo, Chaparral, Dragonfly. All three :spyder: come with the deep carry wire clip... The Naive5 Lightweight is an option I forgot to add (the clip on your Cryo actually fits it).

[Able Dog]

The Kiwi 4 is lightweight (1.9 oz), has a 2.9" blade with 2.5" cutting edge, and comes with a wire deep carry clip.

Only problem is they are a bit outside the stated price range, retailing new for $119. Perhaps a pre owned one can be found closer to your desired price.

If you want to know all the options the Kiwi 4 is an often overlooked knife.

[ronT2]

As others have said, the Chaparral for close to the high side of your budget or the Cat at the low end of your budget.

[Sharp Guy]

I'll pile on and agree with what the others have said. Chaparral or Dragonfly. I bought a LNIB Chap of the BF Exchange yesterday that was well within your price range. So good deals are out there if you watch for them.

The Dragonfly is one of my favorites. Meets all your requirements too!

The Native 5 LW should be considered too. I know the blade is 3" but it's really a great size EDC and they're affordable.

[Chinook3]

byrd Raven 2
Blade Length:3.4
Cutting Edge: 2.8
$40 :)

[10SBUM]

Thanks for all the help so far...seems like I've got several great options to choose from with the Chaparral, DragonFly 2, and Cat leading the way.

I recently ordered a Byrd Robin 2 FRN just so I could get a feel as to whether I like the flipper on my Cryo or a hole better for the opening style.

What advantages am I going to gain/see moving from the Robin 2 to either the DragonFly 2 or the Cat?

Also, what would be the advantage of paying the extra $50 and moving up to the Chaparral instead of the DF2 or Cat?

And lastly, does one of the three conceal better than the others?

Again, I appreciate all the help and advice so far!

10SBUM

[Holland]

The difference in quality between the Chap and the DFly/Cat is very noticeable. The Chaparral is on another level. It has superior f&f, bet steel, an internal stop pin and just a more quality feel to it. Definitely worth the extra money imo

[Evil D]

Chaparral1 or G10 Dragonfly would be my suggestions.

/thread

[abbazaba]

The difference in quality between the Chap and the DFly/Cat is very noticeable. The Chaparral is on another level. It has superior f&f, bet steel, an internal stop pin and just a more quality feel to it. Definitely worth the extra money imo

^^ This.

[ronT2]

Also, what would be the advantage of paying the extra $50 and moving up to the Chaparral instead of the DF2 or Cat?

This thread might be worth the read. I have to agree with some of the comments that the Dfly can feel small and somewhat cramped in hand.
//forum.spyderco.com/viewto ... =2&t=69304

And lastly, does one of the three conceal better than the others?

The Chap is the slimmest of the three and Dfly might be ever so slightly more visible because of the lanyard hole.

[abbazaba]

Could be worth a read :D
//forum.spyderco.com/viewto ... =2&t=69304

[10SBUM]

Could be worth a read :D
//forum.spyderco.com/viewto ... =2&t=69304

Thanks a lot for that link!

One question: in that post it says that the blade in the Chaparral is FFG but the Spyderco website states the blade is CTS XHP. Are they the same thing or have they changed the blade they put in the Chaparral?

Thanks to everyone for the input!

10SBUM

[SpyderNut]

Could be worth a read :D
//forum.spyderco.com/viewto ... =2&t=69304

Thanks a lot for that link!

One question: in that post it says that the blade in the Chaparral is FFG but the Spyderco website states the blade is CTS XHP. Are they the same thing or have they changed the blade they put in the Chaparral?

Thanks to everyone for the input!

10SBUM

The steel for the Chap is CTS-XHP. FFG simply stands for "full flat grind."

[10SBUM]

The steel for the Chap is CTS-XHP. FFG simply stands for "full flat grind."

Ahhhh...makes since now...my apologies for my newbie ignorance. Have been carrying a basic Case or Swiss Army knife for the past 35 years...looking for a quality knife is something entirely new to me. Thanks for the help and the patience with all my questions!

Haven't really read much about the CTS-XHP blade but from what everyone has said it's pretty high quality. If I go with the Chaparral I better spend a lot of time practicing my newbie sharpening skills on my cheaper knives.

TripleB67

[SpyderNut]

The steel for the Chap is CTS-XHP. FFG simply stands for "full flat grind."

Ahhhh...makes since now...my apologies for my newbie ignorance. Have been carrying a basic Case or Swiss Army knife for the past 35 years...looking for a quality knife is something entirely new to me. Thanks for the help and the patience with all my questions!

Haven't really read much about the CTS-XHP blade but from what everyone has said it's pretty high quality. If I go with the Chaparral I better spend a lot of time practicing my newbie sharpening skills on my cheaper knives.

TripleB67

No trouble at all, my friend. We all learn something new every day. :) I think you will very much enjoy the Chap. CTS-XHP is a very well-rounded steel, IMHO. Some have loosely referred to it as the stainless version of D2 tool steel. And D2 has had a strong following for many years. Good stuff all around.

For roughly $30 more, I would also suggest you looking at the Bradley Air. It is a superb design. Definitely one of my top five favorites.

[funghiman]

Welcome to our cozy little forum!
Given the specs, the first ones comes to my mind will be Dragonfly 2, Cat and Chicago.
If you are okay with slip-joints, Pingo, UKPK, Spy-DK, Squeak would also be nice.
Guess that's what I've got in my knowledge. Chaparral is actually another great choice but price is a little over chart after the new price policy.