Help Picking out ladybug for Keychain carry

Bacon · #1

I am trying to decide on which ladybug to get.

1. H1 SERRATED Edge

2. ZDP PLAIN edge

3. H1 Hawkbill SERRATED blade.

Let me know which one you prefer and why.

For a footnote: I will also be carrying either my PM2 when I get it or the delica4 with this blade. I was even thinking of getting one for my keychain at work.

The Deacon · #2

Depends on what you think you'll be doing with the knife but, of the ones you mention, I'd go with either the PE ZDP or the SE hawkbill. SE Hawkbill would be excellent for things like zip ties and small blister packs, and ok for things like cutting a loose thread or strings. I strongly prefer PE for cutting open anything that contains food because SE will often create small shreds of the packaging material.

jackknifeh · #3

You might want to consider a FRN lightweight Manbug. A little more sturdy and around the same price. Then there is the G-10 Manbug and Jester (sprint run). I have the Jester and I like it a lot more than a Ladybug. These two knives are a lot more expensive than the Ladybugs or FRN Manbug. If you want a Manbug the FRN is not much more than Ladybugs.

Here is a FRN Manbug and if you use NUTNFANCY as a coupon code you get free shipping at this site.
http://www.cutleryshoppe.com/manbugligh ... roids.aspx

Jack
EDIT: I just looked and the FRN Manbug is about $8 more expensive than the Ladybugs (unless you want a ZDP-189 ladybug).

Personally I'd get the Manbug, but the Ladybugs are nice knives also. Good luck with your decision. They are all nice littlw knives.

Evil D · #4

If you want SE, i'd go with the hawkbill. Hawkbills and SE compliment each other, in that the hawkbill shape is essentially one big serration on its own, so you end up with a serrated serration. If you want plain edge, the ZDP is the only way to go IMO. I have both.

DrChimRichalds · #5

ZDP-189 plain edge seems like the most practical choice for every-day carry.

jabba359 · #6

I used to carry a PE orange VG-10 ladybug every day, but then I got the serrated H1 hawkbill version. Now the orange one sees hardly any pocket time. SE H1 hawkbill gets my vote!

gbelleh · #7

You might look into the G-10 Jester while it's still available. It's a little heavier, but offers better grip in the hand.

hiredgun · #8

I have the H1 Serrated and wish I had the hawkbill instead. Does that tell you something? :p

Bacon · #9

I work in a warehouse at a CAT Dealer, so basically just warehouse duty stuff plus anything else I may need to cut while edc.

I'm not a huge fan of G10 yet. I also want to keep the weight as low as possible so that is another reason why I am looking at the ladybug frn models instead of the slightly larger G10 manbug or the almost same size G10 jester.
___________________________________________________________________
LAST two post have narrowed it down to:
Plain edge ZDP-189 or the Hawkbill H1?

I guess I should ask; what does the ZDP offer other then better edge wear over the H1? But then I like that the H1 is rust proof and it will be on the keychain...

tonydahose · #10

i have carried ladybugs/baby goddard/jester for the last 6 or 7 years on my keychain. i have tried all that you have mentioned and then some. if you carry a plain edged knife in your pocket i would go with a yellow hawkbill se ladybug. having a plain edge knife helps with cutting food especially if they give you a crappy knife to cut your steak with. the hawkbill ladybug can handle alot thrown at it and sheeple wont be too intiminated by it, unless of course you are in a San Francisco park that is (that thread was in the off topic section :) ). The yellow is for the sheeple and in case you misplace your keys, the bright yellow stands out in most places.

jackknifeh · #11

Bacon wrote:I work in a warehouse at a CAT Dealer, so basically just warehouse duty stuff plus anything else I may need to cut while edc.

I'm not a huge fan of G10 yet. I also want to keep the weight as low as possible so that is another reason why I am looking at the ladybug frn models instead of the slightly larger G10 manbug or the almost same size G10 jester.
___________________________________________________________________
LAST two post have narrowed it down to:
Plain edge ZDP-189 or the Hawkbill H1?

I guess I should ask; what does the ZDP offer other then better edge wear over the H1? But then I like that the H1 is rust proof and it will be on the keychain...

H1, while rust proof and a very nice steel has the worst edge retention of the three available which are H1, VG-10 and ZDP-189. ZDP-189 is a very hard Japanese steel and the edge retention of it is far better than H1. VG-10 has a Rc hardness of 59-61. ZDP-189 is somewhere around 64-65. That's Spyderco knives as I understand it. The hardness is determined by the type of steel and the heat treat it goes through which is controlled by Spyderco. Also, all it takes is a little oil and corrosion prevention and you won't have to worry about rust. So, loosing out on the edge staying sharp longer is not worth having a blade that won't rust. The only place I think H1 is desirable is when used around water like fishing, especially if you are in salt water. Cooking may be another place H1 is beneficial. Getting it wet isn't a problem and edge retention isn't that big a deal because most kitchen cutting isn't cutting tough material IMO. I hope this helps.

Jack

Evil D · #12

Well, i don't personally make a habit of dropping my keys in puddles or getting them super wet. In fact, the only way my keys are going to get that wet is if all of me get that wet. They stay clipped to my belt or belt loop unless i'm using them. I haven't had any rust issues with my ZDP Ladybug on my keys yet, and i suspect that if i did it would just be surface rust and would wipe right off. ZDP may not be H1, but it is still a stainless steel.

Benny90 · #13

I have a SE Black FRN Ladybug. Have it connected to my keys using a #1 aluminum S-biner, LOVE IT!

The S-biner actually gives it some extra length to grip in the hand and is easy to remove from both the keys and the knife itself.

Bacon · #14

How is h1 edge retension compared to say 8Cr13MoV? And about the keys being wet, the knife will be on my work set which could be in use on a fork truck for extended periods in the rain. Buy now that I think about it I might be putting too much thought on the rust factor.

tonydahose · #15

Benny90 wrote:I have a SE Black FRN Ladybug. Have it connected to my keys using a #1 aluminum S-biner, LOVE IT!

[ATTACH]19760[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]19761[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]19762[/ATTACH]

The S-biner actually gives it some extra length to grip in the hand and is easy to remove from both the keys and the knife itself.

you need to have a site to host your pics, like photobucket

Benny90 · #16

Sorry OT. ^ I've actually been trying to play with how the pics are presented.... still can't figure it out though. They are uploaded just can't figure out how to have the pictures shown instead of a stupid link. Suggestions? (No host site, just through attachments)

EDIT: Finally figured it out. Just decided to use the album feature.

Evil D · #17

Benny90 wrote:I have a SE Black FRN Ladybug. Have it connected to my keys using a #1 aluminum S-biner, LOVE IT!

The S-biner actually gives it some extra length to grip in the hand and is easy to remove from both the keys and the knife itself.

I have been looking everywhere for an S clip like that. The Lowes near me had some a while back but i recently checked and they don't carry them anymore.

Benny90 · #18

^ I had actually been looking everywhere for the perfect clip to clip my Ladybug to my keychain. When I saw these, at the local outdoors store, I was super happy. The #1 metal version fits in the keychain hole perfectly and allows me to quickly disconnect from not only the keys but also the knife itself if needed. And since it is an S shape they both stay on their respective sides and don't get tangled. I also use a #2 version (a little bigger) for the keys themselves to connect to my belt loop.

They come in a HUGE amount of different sizes. The maker is Nite-Ize and they can usually be found at outdoors type stores.

araneae · #19

I'd go with the hawkbill. Its a great little blade. I prefer SE on my LBKs as they cut far beyond their size, and I usually have a PE in my pocket.

mikeo · #20

I got a VG-10 foliage green Ladybug, from Amazon, today, and it is very very sharp, but I'm thinking of the Ladybug salt hawkbill, too. It has a SE, and I think it will be just the ticket to open boxes and stuff.