Opinions on a Keychain knife; Balance or Cricket?

COOLJJ · #21

RIOT wrote: Many might not agree but I do not recommend FRN for a key chain knife, I only recommend SS or liners, they seem to hold the blade closed alot more than FRN. Ive gifted many FRN Ladybugs out to women and guys and have heard too many stories of accidental openings & cuts. < this is from my friends & family.

Good point. I did notice that my FRN dragonfly opens a lot easier than the other two SS dragonflys. It's really slick.

Sithus1966 · #22

If you don't want to worry about rust like your Boker got, get a H-1 Ladybug.

rg02 · #23

If you want a bigger knife on your keychain, have you tried removing the pocket clip on one of your dragonflys and using as a keychain knife???

COOLJJ · #24

rg02 wrote:If you want a bigger knife on your keychain, have you tried removing the pocket clip on one of your dragonflys and using as a keychain knife???

Yup, just a tad too long in the handle. I'm usually carrying one or the delica as an EDC anyway. Keychain is the backup in case I forget.

Plus, this is a good excuse to buy a new different model spyderco!

Mud Shrimp Moe · #25

I just love the Cricket for its design and cool factor. It's the only frame locking knife I own as well. It's a lot of fun, and a practical EDC for light use as well. I like the non-threatening look of the Cricket and the way I can carry it clipped to the fifth pocket in jeans. Having a Cricket is one big reason that I gifted away my Dragonfly 2. The D2 is a very well regarded knife, but I just love the Cricket.

However, I would not carry it on a keychain. I'm really sensitive to weight on a keychain. I carry a Vic Classic on my keychain and will probably never carry anything larger.

schofer · #26

COOLJJ wrote:I'm just curious which one?

Today i have an alox classic on my keychain. Amazingly light, and very affordable. But I rotate with a manager or minichamp which both have a pen... Very useful. I also love my g10 finch.

RanCoWeAla · #27

I have a Spyderco Jester on my keychain. The reason for that being the company I work for has a stupid rule that you can't carry a knife at work and so far haven't said anything about the jester. However as soon as I leave there I am going to put a stainless Dragonfly in place of the jester.

Blerv · #28

Yea I can't think of a more aggressive tiny blade than a serrated ladybug (especially the hawkbill version). It's laughable at first until you realize it's keeping up with knives three times it's size and 5 times it's weight.

Evil D · #29

COOLJJ wrote:I do have a kershaw chive and I used that as my basis for whether the ladybug or manbug were too small or not. The chive is 2 7/8" closed and I consider it too small. The ladybug is 2.438" and the manbug is 2.51", so just a tiny bit smaller than the chive.

I like the biscuit design of the cricket and the boker because it gives something more to hold onto, yet isn't too big to be carrying on a keychain.

I've owned a bunch of Chives. Before i got into Spyderco i was a Kershaw guy for a short period. The thing about the Chive is it's basically a shrunk down version of the Leek. Shrinking down a design doesn't always work. The reason the Ladybug works for me is because it was designed to be such a small knife, and it fits within 3 fingers so snugly that even being as small as it is i've never had any lack of grip issues when using it. The only thing the Chive has over the Ladybug is (arguably) assisted opening, since being so small it makes it easier to open one handed, but that's not to say the Ladybug can't be opened and closed one handed. The Ladybug has some amazing ergonomics for its size.

Anyway, i won't try to sway your opinion any further since you seem to be set on what you're looking for...but if you do get the chance to handle a Ladybug, do so. I had the same opinion of it about a year ago...i thought it was too small, and pretty much useless because of that and i also thought it was outrageously expensive for being so small. Now it's one of my favorite knives in the Spyderco lineup. Big things come in small packages and this is one knife that's good because it's so small.

COOLJJ · #30

Evil D wrote:I've owned a bunch of Chives. Before i got into Spyderco i was a Kershaw guy for a short period. The thing about the Chive is it's basically a shrunk down version of the Leek. Shrinking down a design doesn't always work. The reason the Ladybug works for me is because it was designed to be such a small knife, and it fits within 3 fingers so snugly that even being as small as it is i've never had any lack of grip issues when using it. The only thing the Chive has over the Ladybug is (arguably) assisted opening, since being so small it makes it easier to open one handed, but that's not to say the Ladybug can't be opened and closed one handed. The Ladybug has some amazing ergonomics for its size.

Anyway, i won't try to sway your opinion any further since you seem to be set on what you're looking for...but if you do get the chance to handle a Ladybug, do so. I had the same opinion of it about a year ago...i thought it was too small, and pretty much useless because of that and i also thought it was outrageously expensive for being so small. Now it's one of my favorite knives in the Spyderco lineup. Big things come in small packages and this is one knife that's good because it's so small.

Well, thanks. I did narrow it down to the two I put in the title after many considerations and looking through the entire catalog at the key chainable knives. Watched many youtube reviews also, but I'm looking for someone who actually has the knives mentioned and used them for a significant amount of time to state their likes and dislikes.

So far, I'm getting that everyone likes the balance, and the cricket either you like it or don't. I was leaning towards the balance myself and I think the positive remarks have sealed the deal. Expensive item for what it is, but what the hay, it's a spyderco. They are just solid and worth it; the VG-10 holds an edge.

Evil D · #31

OK just have to throw this pic in there for good measure

IrishSpyder22 · #32

Go with the balance it's an awesome knife.

ChapmanPreferred · #33

I carry a SE CF Cricket all the time. I love the design of the reverse S blade shape especially for opening packages or mailer bags. Not my favorite for opening letters, but I have a Spyderco Bug on the same ring. :) That being said I have serious interest in the CF Balance! I would try to get my hands on both and see which one feels better in the hand.

gph · #34

S & R Knives in Toronto has the Balance listed at a "clearout price":

http://www.srknives.com/product_detail.php?pid=2056

Does anyone know if Spyderco is discontinuing the knife?

Evil D · #35

I wouldn't be surprised if the carbon fiber version went away. It's a super nice knife but it's pretty expensive for its size.

gph · #36

Evil D wrote:I wouldn't be surprised if the carbon fiber version went away. It's a super nice knife but it's pretty expensive for its size.

I agree. I'd imagine it wasn't selling well because of the price.

PARATOM · #37

Evil D wrote:I wouldn't be surprised if the carbon fiber version went away. It's a super nice knife but it's pretty expensive for its size.

I really want a balance but i wish they would just come out with a cheaper g10 version. Im not a big stainless guy.

i just cant bring myself to buy that small of a knife for over 100 bucks, i mean u can find a millie for that much.

I love the look and design but this is one of spyderco's knives they need to reduce the price. im sure it would be alot more popular

COOLJJ · #38

PARATOM wrote:I really want a balance but i wish they would just come out with a cheaper g10 version. Im not a big stainless guy.

i just cant bring myself to buy that small of a knife for over 100 bucks, i mean u can find a millie for that much.

I love the look and design but this is one of spyderco's knives they need to reduce the price. im sure it would be alot more populaIr

I agree a g-10 version of the balance with a lower price point would be awesome. That would really float my boat.

COOLJJ · #39

IrishSpyder22 wrote:Go with the balance it's an awesome knife.

Nice pic!

Sht · #40

I almost always edc two or more larger knives so I don't have many smaller ones, but I will say you should take a look at the ss kiwi. I needed a knife that I would take thru the TSA, & if I lost it on vacation I would not kill me. It's only $16 or something stupid like that. Even though it's a small blade the it fills the hand very well. If only the had a stone washed one.