Still The Best Pocketknife Ever

[TkoK83Spy]

It's an awkward knife for ergos, that's for sure. One of those, either it works for you or it doesn't...or you're such a nut you just force yourself to accept it and tell yourself it fits your hand

[cabfrank]

I can't ever settle on a best. There are too many Spydercos I love. That said, the Dragonfly is an amazing, fantastic pocket knife.

[dj moonbat]

Thing about the Dfly2 is there’s really only one way to hold it. Maybe two, depending on how you place your thumb.

If that cutting position works for you, it’s a tough knife to beat. If not, you’re stuck with it.

[aicolainen]

My DF2 k390 Wharncliffe has been in my pocket for years, sans wire clip.

This is where it's at.

For anyone who decided to get a DF2 and didn't feel it quite delivered to it's rather legendary reputation, just keep it around and see how it goes.
My first DF2 was also my first Spyderco in a sense, though I bought it together with two others, so it wasn't my only "first". But it was the only of the three Spyderco's I didn't really connect with from the beginning. I kind of liked it, but it didn't implement very well into my EDC. For such a small knife it was not a very stealthy carry, and not really hitting the mark for any type of use it spent most of its 4-5 first years collecting dust.
It was only after I tried the Manbug and Ladybug, and got comfortable of the idea of not having a pocket clip that things turned around for the DF2. And it really did. Turning from an almost ignored knife to becoming one of my favorites.
And the wharncliffe version sealed the deal and made it my favorite work knife, a position it has held for 3 years now.

The other two Spydercos from that first purchase are long gone, so there's possibly a certain parallel to good music in this story.

Though it is my favorite knife for work and casual carry (I feel that's easier to say than "best pocket knife ever"), I don't feel a need to collect DF2s. For me this model very likely peaked with the k390 wharncliffe iteration and little else really interests me. I still have the OG (orange VG-10) around for sentimental reasons (and offloading to my son later on), I've added the H1 SE version because I like salts and high hollow grinds and I've added the KC HAP40/pakkawood for when I'm feeling fancy. But I can't really justify any of those. The k390 wharncliffe works so well for me in this platform, I don't want to carry anything else. The standard leaf shaped blade with the swedge sure looks the part, but wharncliffe is the business.

picture from when the k390 was new, clip long since removed (like on all the others)

[twinboysdad]

I agree. Have a bunch. Chapparel is right there too along with Manbug. These are my favorite sizes. Basically Spydie Barlows

[twinboysdad]

I will add the DF2 H2 SE grind is majorly lacking and shaggy as a crocodile. The Chapparel SE LW showed me the way. DF2 SE needs better serrations

[Red Leader]

but the large upswept curve of the handle with a corresponding sweep on the underside really worked against the ergonomics in my hand. That curve created a void on the underside that my hand wanted filled by something.

X2

I think it's a quintessentially Spyderco knife design and it's obviously beloved by many. My skinny fingers just can't curl up far enough to get a confidence inspiring grip that's also comfortable. For me the Cat, Lil Native, or Urban fills the DFly void.

If it had a taller grip on the underside, it might be able to change my mind. Since the blade takes up so much space on that side when folded, you could add more handle to that area without it feeling larger in the pocket.

[z1r]

I don't disagree:

[vivi]

but the large upswept curve of the handle with a corresponding sweep on the underside really worked against the ergonomics in my hand. That curve created a void on the underside that my hand wanted filled by something.

X2

I think it's a quintessentially Spyderco knife design and it's obviously beloved by many. My skinny fingers just can't curl up far enough to get a confidence inspiring grip that's also comfortable. For me the Cat, Lil Native, or Urban fills the DFly void.

If it had a taller grip on the underside, it might be able to change my mind. Since the blade takes up so much space on that side when folded, you could add more handle to that area without it feeling larger in the pocket.

Same issue I have. The scooped out area for the middle finger and ring finger makes no sense. Those are my longest fingers.

Never understood the call for a dfly XL. The issue would be even worse on a large knife.

Something like a UKPK or Native fill my hand much better, and neither of those are exactly pocket hogs.

[SpeedHoles]

but the large upswept curve of the handle with a corresponding sweep on the underside really worked against the ergonomics in my hand. That curve created a void on the underside that my hand wanted filled by something.

X2

I think it's a quintessentially Spyderco knife design and it's obviously beloved by many. My skinny fingers just can't curl up far enough to get a confidence inspiring grip that's also comfortable. For me the Cat, Lil Native, or Urban fills the DFly void.

If it had a taller grip on the underside, it might be able to change my mind. Since the blade takes up so much space on that side when folded, you could add more handle to that area without it feeling larger in the pocket.

Same issue I have. The scooped out area for the middle finger and ring finger makes no sense. Those are my longest fingers.

Never understood the call for a dfly XL. The issue would be even worse on a large knife.

Something like a UKPK or Native fill my hand much better, and neither of those are exactly pocket hogs.

You ever notice the popularity of the "skinny handle" mods on the Para 3? ALL kinds of aftermarket options that sell like mad to make the handle like a longer dragonfly kind of, just flatter without the arch. I keep wondering why that is. I know you're not a fan of the Para 3 haha, but I'm like why get rid of the swell on this one in particular, it works great stock...?

Contrary to that, you ever hold a Lava? Big swell for a tiny knife, helps it out a lot for what it is...

[Synov]

I dig this one, and I've never seen another like it.

[SpeedHoles]

I dig this one, and I've never seen another like it.

Good ol Nishijin. Like a beautified truckers diamond plate.
Nice knife!

[VandymanG]

Ergonomics don’t work for me. It’s way too small for my hands. PM2 is the perfect knife for me followed by the PM3 and Native 5. Also the Swayback is growing on me.

[Doc Dan]

I dig this one, and I've never seen another like it.

I treasure mine. It is a really gorgeous knife. I wish they'd make more in different colors.

[Doc Dan]

I really like the Chaparral. It actually packs more in nearly the same size knife. However, the DF2 weighs a lot less. The Chap is a heavy weight by comparison. If the Chaparral would lose the liners it would be my favorite. As it is, the DF is king.

[jwbnyc]

Here’s what’s within reach while reading this thread. Couple more tucked away.

Best drop-in pocket and go knife imo.

[Jeb]

These two right here are without doubt. The little knife in the pic, Manix 2XL and the bigger one the Police4. You pick one, either one. Me, I carry both of them and yes at the same time.

Both of these do sport a set of aftermarket scales and a few mods to fit my way of use, but like these two are in the pic, there is not a better option out there in the market place under 500 bucks.

I know some of you live with blade length restrictions and that just simply bites. I feel very fortunate not to have that restriction to deal with.

[cabfrank]

What happened to your lanyards?

[Jeb]

These both are brandy new knives at this point in time of the pic. The Police4 is still new and not carried yet and the Manix 2XL I had just put those Camel colored scales on it and before putting a 15 dps bevel on it, I shot this pic comparing the two colors is all this was.

These both hit the hone right after the pic and both have the lanyard 's. I won't use these without one, I just have always had a lanyard on my knives since I was a kid.

I have gotten so accustomed to drawing my knife with one, my thumb has the blade out just as the knife clears the pocket.

My grip is the same way everytime and my thumb is right on that nice 14mm hole, while the lanyard lays in the grip of my little finger and the finger next to it, as that is how I draw the knife from the pocket.

This allows my middle finger and index to grap the scales around the pocket clip area and the thumb is perfect alignment with the 14mm hole.

Everytime, there is never a fumble in how this works, with the length and weight of the lanyard, it balances the weight of the knife and as you draw it from your pocket, front or back; it comes out right how it needs to be in order for your thumb to do the rest.

Really bad pic but these are how they get carried. The lanyard is pretty long too, I have messed with the length and how many spyders I use to get this balance just right.

I also like the extra length hanging out of my pocket. This way it's hanging below a jacket or coat, so it's easy to know exactly where it is, no fumbling around.

What really sucks is when I get diesel or old dirty motor oil or transmission fluid on my lanyard, I have to soak it in Dawn dish soap to get it clean, that or use Berrymans B-12, if in a hurry lol.

[gooeytek]

One of my favorite little big knives.