Question on a new Salt

robin · #1

Hallo all, it's a long time I don't post but had keept reading radom. Now I need Your's help for a new knife: having one atlantic salt I am fan of the sea line and was interested in buing a smaller H1 blade as edc. The candidates beeing the dragonfly H1 or the ladybug H1. Not havig the chance of holding both in hand the first question is if there is a sensible difference in handling. The second but most important question is about construction. The atlantic beeing a real worhorse with the coil and the clip made also in non rust materials (titanium for the clip?). Is the same for the dragonfly and the lady? Or only the H1 blades gave them the salt appelative? I am also a bit concerned on the blade shape of the dragonfly (I still have one in aus 8) beeing it exceptionally pointy. While this may be a apealing for edc and sd in a marine environment I would prefer a sheep-foot (also modified) as the Atlantic. If there is an alternative knife that I lost please indicate

[ENFORCER] · #2

The ladybug is good, but, there is no clip, and its very small.
The dragonfly is great, it has a pocket clip, lots of jumping and is a GREAT deal.
I own both.

kbuzbee · #3

Yes, they are all built the same.

DF vs LB the DF gives you much more handle. A good thing IMO.

I guess you could always round off a DF point?

Ken

SpyderNut · #4

Hi robin,

I currently use the Dragonfly Salt (PE) as my EDC blade. As Ken and Enforcer mentioned, the ergonomics on the 'Fly are quite a bit different than the LB--mainly due to the LB's smaller size. Until January of this year, I always carried a LB Salt (PE) as a EDC blade. I ended up "upgrading" to the Dragonfly Salt simply due to the need of a slightly larger blade. In my personal opinion, the 'Fly is far more comfortable in the hand when using moderate force to cut. In addition, you have the added benefit of a pocket clip which allows you a few more carry options over the LB. I currently own a Salt I, Dragonfly Salt, and two LB Salts (one in PE and one in SE Hawkbill). The knife that sees the most time in my pocket? The Dragonfly. :)

DRKBC · #5

Have you thought about the Saver Salt? Sounds like it would work well for you, sheepsfoot blade, titanium clip and with the choil and the large Spyder hole the ergos are really good. It is just a little over 7" so not a big knife, to me it is the perfect size not too big or too small and it is really light. I have one and I love it. Here is the link if you haven't already looked at it.

http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=264

robin · #6

Hi DRKBC, no I was not aware about the saver. As You wrote would be a good alternative but has two cons for me. Is too big and (I forgit to write that) for the new edc I was looking for plain edge cause I jet have the serrated on the atlantic. But thanks for the input. I suppose Lady and Fly do not have marine coil so?

Freediver · #7

I keep a SE ladybug salt on my keys and use it practically every day. It is my most used blade.

Blerv · #8

The Tasman is a pro maritime tool. The Dfly is quite a bit more substantial in hand for extended cutting than the Ladybug.

What do you plan to cut? SE will hold an edge at least twice as long, prob many times more. Important if you cut much rope or netting.

robin · #9

yep, i have read about work hardening effect on H1, but for common tasks I way prefer plain edge because there are some slicing that cannot be performed awell with serrated. rope are not the only materials I have to deal because I often use my edc for some precision cutting (hope my english was better for explaning better

. ). Anyway if the Dfly is not, as I am undertsanding, a real marine knife I may change my mind and turn to other steel, in this case dilemma would be zdp or vg10. But H1 is still my firts choise because I like this steel averyday a little more. Mind I have other spydes (Salt apart) like Kiwy gigged bone, vg10, an old aus 8 Dfly, and some other brands in ats34, 154 cm, D2 and , a "better not naming company" mini-skirmish in s30v . And I know how to sharpen. But never had a zdp blade and I am afraight it could be very brittle in the Dfly geometry (long acute point). But I may be wrong,

Blerv · #10

A PE Dragonfly2 Salt will be very similar to your AUS8 one but rustproof with a high-hollow grind. I've seen the knives many marine guys use and they often think less about it than knife folks :) .

The Dragonfly2 is a small knife as is the Ladybug. Short blades if subjected to the same amount of work as 3.5"+ folders will dull quicker. Each inch is forced to do more cutting. Likewise geometry of serrated knives acts to increase the cutting edge while giving additional penetration points. Most have a bit of plain edge for detail work.

If its cutting selectively per day anything will work. If the blade is cutting tons of nasty materials a day I feel serrations make a compelling case. Something like ZDP-189 likely won't keep up and salt will pit the blade without additional care.

robin · #11

to be honest my Dfly in Aus8 isn't that bad expecially after having jimped the thumb's and index's rests (http://www.spyderco.com/forums/attachme ... 1236036374 ) and I don't feel as a steel-snob, but the H1 novelty tempted me, in the Pe form, just because (as per my nickname) I have also the Dfly cheaper Bird's version full serrated. But I don't rate the Robin to be able to withstand adverse environment very well.