Dragonfly vs Robin G-10?

StuntZombie · #1

I currently own a Robin G-10, and I like it, but I have the hankering for a "genuine" Spyderco. The main one I've been looking at is the Dragonfly, because the handle looks similar to the Robin's. However I've never handled a Dragonfly, so I don't know how it feels. Just how similar is the Dragonfly's handle to the Robin's?

sanman951 · #2

It's pretty close, the D-fly is a lot lighter but my pinkie finger feels better on the robin. I carry my G-10 robin more then my D-fly mostly cause it clips in my pocket better and if a non knife person borrows it Im not as worried if they mess it up

ahearn · #3

I have both and they are amazingly similar. I like them both and frequently swap for EDC. I think the Robin is a great bargain when you consider that there is such little difference.

Bluntrauma · #4

Well I don't have a Robin but I do have a G10 meadowlark. I find myself picking it up and using more than any knife I own. It's weighty and has held a remarkable edge. It has been my EDC for 6 months and the edge is still as sharp as the day I bought it. Plus, unlike a lot of models *ahem* it's lefty friendly.

santiago · #5

Maybe this'll help?

That's not the etched D'fly, BTW -- just my pocket abused EDC. :D

Handling's pretty similar, but sanman951's right, there's no pinkie purchase on the D'Fly handle. Doesn't matter much as the ergos are still pretty solid.

I love my G10 Robin but it doesn't compare to the quality of the genuine Spydies.

Go for it, man.

ss Navigator · #6

You may also try a Navigator 2 if you can find one online. It was my first Spyderco and I still carry it for dressy occasions. Just my 2cents but IMHO definitely worth a look.

Left Hand Path · #7

I would agree with others that the biggest difference in handle is the pinkie - the Robin definitely provides a better grip for the pinkie. The Robin also strikes me as being more stout than the Dragonfly. I think the Robin is my favorite byrd, and it would be hard for me to choose a favorite between the Robin and the Dragonfly.

ahearn · #8

[quote="santiago"]I love my G10 Robin but it doesn't compare to the quality of the genuine Spydies.
QUOTE]

I would be interested to know what differences you've found in quality between the Byrd and genuine Spydies. Between the Robin and D'fly, I've found none.

revolvergeek · #9

Myself, I much prefer the Robin to the Dragonfly. I wish that the Robin had a full flat grind like the Dragonfly. I thinned and convexed the blade on mine and it cuts like crazy.

StuntZombie · #10

I think I'm going to get a plain edge Robin to complement the one I have in SE. There's just something about that handle, it feels a lot larger than it is.

If only they would use the same handle, and stick a blade with a round hole in it....

santiago · #11

ahearn wrote:
santiago wrote:I love my G10 Robin but it doesn't compare to the quality of the genuine Spydies.
QUOTE]

I would be interested to know what differences you've found in quality between the Byrd and genuine Spydies. Between the Robin and D'fly, I've found none.

Don't know if it's the build quality or I've just been getting from bad batches, but all the Robins I've gotten (2 SS, 2 G10 -- a couple FRN ones too when they come out :) ) don't have Spydie smooth opening action and are pretty hard to disengage when locked (harder than every other Spydie I own -- and I'm used to the Boyle dent). This is even after breaking them in.

I'm also a huge fan of the functional and aesthetic design of the Dragonfly -- the lines of the blade, the ergos of the handle, the grind, size, weight, etc. -- all of which add to my estimation of the quality of the knife. That's on top of the consistent and impressive build quality of all the Dragonflies I've bought. So I guess I should clarify that this isn't just a general Byrd/Spydie comparison -- it's also specific to the knives being compared.

Also, from a purely aesthetic point of view, I personally prefer the Robin design on the the bigger folders. The G10 Meadowlark is one of my all time favorite mid-sized folders which displaced the D4 in my EDC rotation (won't budge the Caly III or Persian, though).

carrot · #12

Yeah, when the Dragonfly is so good looking and so affordable it's hard to want the Robin. I also noticed the same thing with regards to the Robin (I had a SS version) and so I gave it away to someone I knew would appreciate it more than myself.