G-10 Dragonfly may be the best all around pocket knife

[Doc Dan]

Hi Folks,
I want to put in my 2 cents worth on the Spyderco G10 Dragonfly. Before we go any farther, let me say I mean this as a perfect pocket knife that will be with you everyday, in the traditional sense. Today people like to use the term EDC and that can mean anything from a small 1 inch blade to a giant 7 inch folder.

As some of you know, I love traditional pocket knives. I love the craftsmanship and the time tested designs. I am not one to run out and buy the latest and greatest. I want to see how it does and think about it for a while. I bought the G10 Manbug and liked it so much I finally pulled the trigger on the G10 Dragonfly because I wanted something just a bit bigger. This knife blew me away! It is a manly looking knife with the olive drab (forest green) G10, rather than the ubiquitous undifferentiated black. Its steel liners give it a little heft and a lot of strength. This knife opens more smoothly than any Spyderco I own. Size wise it is only a very small amount shorter than my Benchmade 707! I am not giving up much in size after all, but just enough to make this knife more pocket friendly.

The knife simply works better than a traditional folder because 1) it has one hand opening 2) it has a good backspring, but not too stiff 3) the blade is designed for slicing and point work, not one or the other 4) the materials make this knife more durable 5) the green G10 looks like something an old time adventurer would have in his pocket that matches his canvas adventure bag and bronze compass.

One of my favorite tests is to cut an apple by holding the knife in my hand, the apple in the other, and slicing toward my thumb (a little higher though!). Many knives will not do this well. My Caly3 will not do this without my forcing it through as the blade binds half way through the cut. But the Dragonfly zipped right through. Another test is to cut the apple in half through the core and again, many knives will not do this without added pressure. The Dragonfly zips through without a pause. I cut rubber, rubberized plastic on boxes, paper, meat, cord, and a lot more and so far it is perfect.

The shape of the knife allows good hand positioning when slicing or dicing. Even the apple cutting has my hand in the perfect place. My hands are not dainty. I wear a size 13 or 14 wedding ring and it is still cutting into my finger. When my wife was looking for a wedding ring for me years ago the jeweler wanted to know if she were marrying King Kong. I wear 3x gloves if I can find them. Still, I can get all of my fingers on this knife when I want to do so.

So far, this sums up my experience. What do you all think? Is this knife a great knife or what?

[senorsquare]

It's a great knife indeed. I like the addition of the full liners and steel backspacer over the FRN version. This guy rides in my pocket every day.


Nishijin w/ STR Lowrider by senorsquare, on Flickr

[xceptnl]

...What do you all think? Is this knife a great knife or what?

It is one of my favorites. I like the FRN models, but the G-10 with liners is king (IMO).

[Evil D]

Probably the best knife Spyderco has made in this overall size. I'm likely going to get an H1 version for an upcoming vacation to the ocean, since it should be small enough to be legal in most places and stay in my pocket and not worry about rust.

[phillipsted]

No arguments from me! The DFly2 is an awesome knife. Personally, I prefer the lightweight FRN versions - but all the DFlies are cool. The ZDP-189 FRN model may be my most-carried knife - it goes almost everywhere I go, regardless of whether there is another knife in my pocket or not!

TedP

[xceptnl]

Probably the best knife Spyderco has made in this overall size. I'm likely going to get an H1 version for an upcoming vacation to the ocean, since it should be small enough to be legal in most places and stay in my pocket and not worry about rust.

I carried mine for the last 2 summers clipped to the inside of my board shorts waistband. Beach, pool, ocean, outdoor shower... this thing loves the water as much as I do. Are you planning to get the PE or SE David?

[jackknifeh]

It's a great knife indeed. I like the addition of the full liners and steel backspacer over the FRN version. This guy rides in my pocket every day.


Nishijin w/ STR Lowrider by senorsquare, on Flickr

Nice picture of a stump. Who put the knife there? :) I like your clip more than the original one. Especially the deep carry. Wish so much of the scale wasn't hidden though. I'm thinking a wire clip would be great. I guess this is what most people think so nothing new there. I'm hoping I can get one of these before they are gone. At the moment I'm undecided about just removing the clip and carry it in the bottom of my pocket.

Do you think your clip would be strong enough if the center of it were cut out so it would look more like a wire clip? Or shorter? The end of the wire clip on my regular D'fly is just short of the center of the opening hole. I have never cared so much about the clip on any other knife but I can't remember a knife with such beautiful scales and 50% of one being hidden. Clip, no clip, a clip too big,,, it's still a great looking knife and about the perfect size.

[Holland]

great knife indeed! it is my most carried knife period. cant beet the size and weight. I also much prefer frn over g10 for smaller knives. I plan to buy a se h1 and a couple of the sb models (whenever they come out) to go along with my zdp189 version :D

[CGSshorty]

I carry mine nearly every day, even though I also have a Native and PM2.

[xceptnl]

I carry mine nearly every day, even though I also have a Native and PM2.

That is an interesting looking bead. Is that a Starlingear?

[senorsquare]

Nice picture of a stump. Who put the knife there? :) I like your clip more than the original one. Especially the deep carry. Wish so much of the scale wasn't hidden though. I'm thinking a wire clip would be great. I guess this is what most people think so nothing new there. I'm hoping I can get one of these before they are gone. At the moment I'm undecided about just removing the clip and carry it in the bottom of my pocket.

Do you think your clip would be strong enough if the center of it were cut out so it would look more like a wire clip? Or shorter? The end of the wire clip on my regular D'fly is just short of the center of the opening hole. I have never cared so much about the clip on any other knife but I can't remember a knife with such beautiful scales and 50% of one being hidden. Clip, no clip, a clip too big,,, it's still a great looking knife and about the perfect size.

I've thought about putting it on a drill press and milling some holes in the clip to open it up some, but the lack of a drill press has delayed this procedure :) .

I noticed a Chaparral in your signature photo. Is this a new addition? I had one of those for a minute and I did my own personal small blade shootout with the Dragonfly, Chaparral and Techno. The Dragonfly beat the other two and I ended up selling the Techno and Chaparral.

[CGSshorty]

That is an interesting looking bead. Is that a Starlingear?

No, it is a Willydigger. It makes it much easier to fish the knife out of the bottom of my pocket.

[senorsquare]

great knife indeed! it is my most carried knife period. cant beet the size and weight. I also much prefer frn over g10 for smaller knives. I plan to buy a se h1 and a couple of the sb models (whenever they come out) to go along with my zdp189 version :D

Oh wow, the thought of a super blue dragonfly hadn't occurred to me. I would seriously love to get my hands on one of those.

[Evil D]

I carried mine for the last 2 summers clipped to the inside of my board shorts waistband. Beach, pool, ocean, outdoor shower... this thing loves the water as much as I do. Are you planning to get the PE or SE David?

Actually thinking about PE, despite the whole H1/SE relationship. It'll probably the the only blade I take with me, so it has to be versatile.

[APS]

The D-fly is a great knife and I think fulfills what most non-knife aficionado urban users need wonderfully. Though I like the G10 model and have had one in the past, I don't feel that it adds enough functionality for the ~90% price increase.

[xceptnl]

Actually thinking about PE, despite the whole H1/SE relationship. It'll probably the the only blade I take with me, so it has to be versatile.

Mine is PE and for similar reasons. I use it for grilling / outdoor kitchen duties along with slicing limes for the cerveza!

[einstein2001]

I'll just come right out and say my ZDP G10 Dragonfly is my #1 Spydie :D
Now if we can only get a SB Dfly with CF,GF or G10 :cool:

[chipdouglas]

I'm getting this G-10 version of it or perhaps the ZDP-189 version.

[endgame]

I just ordered the glass fiber sprint this is funny it came up

[Holland]

I'm getting this G-10 version of it or perhaps the ZDP-189 version.

i recommend the zdp version! its super light and if your gonna spend the money, id rather have nice steel. just my 2 cents