Small knife with satisfying action

[Snacktime]

As far as backlock knives go, my SpyOpera has the best action of any.
The ball bearing pivot is so satisfying to play with.

I agree, fantastic knife! I have bought 3 now and the last one walked away in my dad's pocket. Don't let the price run you off, lionsteel does a fantastic job on beveling and fit & finish.

[Matus]

SpyOpera is a beautiful and smooth knife (it may bite you before you learn to be careful when closing it). I just would like to see some test on edge retention to make sure that Lionsteel did not burn the edge like they (sometimes) do.

[Gtscotty]

I would echo several others and recommend the Lil Native, excellent action and just a good little knife all around.

[wrdwrght]

Since you ask for a DF2 alternative, I would ask—in hono(u)r of the late Cliff Stamp—what do you mean by “small”, “action”, and indeed “satisfying”? :)

Small: Same size as the Dragonfly.
Action: Opening and closing.
Satisfying: Fast. Smooth. Solid. Effortless.

This much was clear in your opening comments.

On size alone, any of the following could qualify or not qualify as an DF2 alternative, depending on what metrics for size you favor.


For example, the Poliwog (at the top) has the same edge-length as the DF2 (at the bottom), but its arc is more than half an inch taller. Because of how this arc closes, the Poliwog is quite a hog in the pocket. Disqualified?

As another example, the Dodo has a shorter and thicker blade than the DF2, and about the same edge-length, but a handle an inch longer. Disqualified?

Without refining your preferences, you’ll get recommendations all over the map.

And I’d suggest there is no other Spydie really like the DF2. And that’s a good thing. Not because the DF2 is so great—which it is—but because Spyderco offers us such different great little knives.

[James Y]

Oddly enough, my Ladybug Hawkbill Salt has among the best snappy, self-closing bias among my knives.

Jim

[OakTree]

On size alone, any of the following could qualify or not qualify as an DF2 alternative, depending on what metrics for size you favor.


For example, the Poliwog (at the top) has the same edge-length as the DF2 (at the bottom), but its arc is more than half an inch taller. Because of how this arc closes, the Poliwog is quite a hog in the pocket. Disqualified?

As another example, the Dodo has a shorter and thicker blade than the DF2, and about the same edge-length, but a handle an inch longer. Disqualified?

Without refining your preferences, you’ll get recommendations all over the map.

And I’d suggest there is no other Spydie really like the DF2. And that’s a good thing. Not because the DF2 is so great—which it is—but because Spyderco offers us such different great little knives.

I can't see your image. Can you?
I almost bought another Dragonfly in ZDP. In the meantime, I'm really enjoying my Dragonfly and have not encountered a task that required a larger knife.

[wrdwrght]

Yes, I can see the image I posted.

[Airlsee]

For what it's worth, I can see the image fine...

Edit to add: With VPN On

[Airlsee]

We've established that OP is looking for "drop-shut" action, without ever actually saying it right?

I read this thread last week and haven't gone back to re-read it, but I was under the impression that OP already (knew) that they wanted the Lil' Native but didn't know why and wanted comparable "action". The word smooth was the word that threw everything off. Because you can have smooth like CRK (Dfly) or smooth like Shirogorov (Para3), but they are completely different actions.

Communication is the answer we seek.

I believe that OP just needs to get a Lil' Native.

[OakTree]

Yes, I can see the image I posted.

I had to turn off my vpn to see the image. I can see it now.

[wrdwrght]

Yes, I can see the image I posted.

I had to turn off my vpn to see the image. I can see it now.

Interesting. I wonder if some VPNs dislike callouts to image-hosting sites.

[OakTree]

Yes, I can see the image I posted.

I had to turn off my vpn to see the image. I can see it now.

Interesting. I wonder if some VPNs dislike callouts to image-hosting sites.

I tried opening the image directly with the vpn running - no dice. Once I turned it off I could see it in the post and in a separate page. It's definitely the vpn. I have issues with other websites too.

[z1r]

The Chaparrals are nicer, smoother, but heavier and bigger than the SE DF2 Salt. I like them all, but they are different use knives.

Excludung the Ladybug Salt Hawkbill that rides on my keychain, I carry two knives; a DF2 and either an N5, M2, or Endela depending on the day's chores.

On days when I carry only one knife, the Chaparral gets the nod.

Whatever is said about the "action" of the DF2, note that it is the knife I reach for 90% of the time.

[z1r]

On size alone, any of the following could qualify or not qualify as an DF2 alternative, depending on what metrics for size you favor.


For example, the Poliwog (at the top) has the same edge-length as the DF2 (at the bottom), but its arc is more than half an inch taller. Because of how this arc closes, the Poliwog is quite a hog in the pocket. Disqualified?

As another example, the Dodo has a shorter and thicker blade than the DF2, and about the same edge-length, but a handle an inch longer. Disqualified?

Without refining your preferences, you’ll get recommendations all over the map.

And I’d suggest there is no other Spydie really like the DF2. And that’s a good thing. Not because the DF2 is so great—which it is—but because Spyderco offers us such different great little knives.

I can't see your image. Can you?
I almost bought another Dragonfly in ZDP. In the meantime, I'm really enjoying my Dragonfly and have not encountered a task that required a larger knife.

What is teh 7th from the bottom? Looks interesting.

Yeah, I scored a 2nd ZDP DF2 recently, the one knife I litterally carry every day!

[metaphoricalsimile]

Since you ask for a DF2 alternative, I would ask—in hono(u)r of the late Cliff Stamp—what do you mean by “small”, “action”, and indeed “satisfying”? :)

Small: Same size as the Dragonfly.
Action: Opening and closing.
Satisfying: Fast. Smooth. Solid. Effortless.

This much was clear in your opening comments.

On size alone, any of the following could qualify or not qualify as an DF2 alternative, depending on what metrics for size you favor.


For example, the Poliwog (at the top) has the same edge-length as the DF2 (at the bottom), but its arc is more than half an inch taller. Because of how this arc closes, the Poliwog is quite a hog in the pocket. Disqualified?

As another example, the Dodo has a shorter and thicker blade than the DF2, and about the same edge-length, but a handle an inch longer. Disqualified?

Without refining your preferences, you’ll get recommendations all over the map.

And I’d suggest there is no other Spydie really like the DF2. And that’s a good thing. Not because the DF2 is so great—which it is—but because Spyderco offers us such different great little knives.

I would love a list of all of these knives!

[wrdwrght]

I would love a list of all of these knives!

Top to bottom:

Poliwog
Dodo
Pingo
Lil’Native
Vrango
Urban
Techno2
Air
Lil’Nilakka
DF2

[metaphoricalsimile]

I would love a list of all of these knives!

Top to bottom:

Poliwog
Dodo
Pingo
Lil’Native
Vrango
Urban
Techno2
Air
Lil’Nilakka
DF2

Dang nice small spidy collection. I've never seen that Vrango before and I love its looks.

[wrdwrght]

I would love a list of all of these knives!

Top to bottom:

Poliwog
Dodo
Pingo
Lil’Native
Vrango
Urban
Techno2
Air
Lil’Nilakka
DF2

Dang nice small spidy collection. I've never seen that Vrango before and I love its looks.

Thanks. Sal, Eric, and their collaborators have made it easy and fun.

The Vrango is spectacular but, being a recurve, does require a resetting of expectations. Sharpening is something of a challenge (especially where the “hawkbill” gives way to the “tanto”), and use is a bit less than general. When I was fly-fishing decades ago, it would have been the perfect carry. Little surprise to me that the knife’s designer is an avid fisherman.

[wrdwrght]

What is teh 7th from the bottom? Looks interesting.

Eric’s Lil’Native, a masterpiece in my eyes. I’m really looking forward to the slipjoint version, just for the choice.

[z1r]

What is teh 7th from the bottom? Looks interesting.

Eric’s Lil’Native, a masterpiece in my eyes. I’m really looking forward to the slipjoint version, just for the choice.

Nice, gotta keep my eye open for one. Thanks.