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Re: Small knife with satisfying action
Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2021 12:55 pm
by Snacktime
Superflex wrote: ↑Sat Jul 03, 2021 7:58 am
As far as backlock knives go, my SpyOpera has the best action of any.
The ball bearing pivot is so satisfying to play with.
I agree, fantastic knife! I have bought 3 now and the last one walked away in my dad's pocket. Don't let the price run you off, lionsteel does a fantastic job on beveling and fit & finish.
Re: Small knife with satisfying action
Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2021 4:05 pm
by Matus
SpyOpera is a beautiful and smooth knife (it may bite you before you learn to be careful when closing it). I just would like to see some test on edge retention to make sure that Lionsteel did not burn the edge like they (sometimes) do.
Re: Small knife with satisfying action
Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2021 8:10 pm
by Gtscotty
I would echo several others and recommend the Lil Native, excellent action and just a good little knife all around.
Re: Small knife with satisfying action
Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2021 1:27 pm
by wrdwrght
OakTree wrote: ↑Sat Jul 03, 2021 12:43 pm
wrdwrght wrote: ↑Sat Jul 03, 2021 10:51 am
Since you ask for a DF2 alternative, I would ask—in hono(u)r of the late Cliff Stamp—what do you mean by “small”, “action”, and indeed “satisfying”? :)
Small: Same size as the Dragonfly.
Action: Opening and closing.
Satisfying: Fast. Smooth. Solid. Effortless.
This much was clear in your opening comments.
On size alone, any of the following could qualify or not qualify as an DF2 alternative, depending on what metrics for size you favor.
For example, the Poliwog (at the top) has the same edge-length as the DF2 (at the bottom), but its arc is more than half an inch taller. Because of how this arc closes, the Poliwog is quite a hog in the pocket. Disqualified?
As another example, the Dodo has a shorter and thicker blade than the DF2, and about the same edge-length, but a handle an inch longer. Disqualified?
Without refining your preferences, you’ll get recommendations all over the map.
And I’d suggest there is no other Spydie really like the DF2. And that’s a good thing. Not because the DF2 is so great—which it is—but because Spyderco offers us such different great little knives.
Re: Small knife with satisfying action
Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2021 3:41 pm
by James Y
Oddly enough, my Ladybug Hawkbill Salt has among the best snappy, self-closing bias among my knives.
Jim
Re: Small knife with satisfying action
Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2021 6:50 pm
by OakTree
wrdwrght wrote: ↑Thu Jul 08, 2021 1:27 pm
On size alone, any of the following could qualify or not qualify as an DF2 alternative, depending on what metrics for size you favor.
For example, the Poliwog (at the top) has the same edge-length as the DF2 (at the bottom), but its arc is more than half an inch taller. Because of how this arc closes, the Poliwog is quite a hog in the pocket. Disqualified?
As another example, the Dodo has a shorter and thicker blade than the DF2, and about the same edge-length, but a handle an inch longer. Disqualified?
Without refining your preferences, you’ll get recommendations all over the map.
And I’d suggest there is no other Spydie really like the DF2. And that’s a good thing. Not because the DF2 is so great—which it is—but because Spyderco offers us such different great little knives.
I can't see your image. Can you?
I almost bought another Dragonfly in ZDP. In the meantime, I'm really enjoying my Dragonfly and have not encountered a task that required a larger knife.
Re: Small knife with satisfying action
Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2021 10:05 am
by wrdwrght
Yes, I can see the image I posted.
Re: Small knife with satisfying action
Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2021 10:12 am
by Airlsee
For what it's worth, I can see the image fine...
Edit to add: With VPN On
Re: Small knife with satisfying action
Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2021 10:21 am
by Airlsee
We've established that OP is looking for "drop-shut" action, without ever actually saying it right?
I read this thread last week and haven't gone back to re-read it, but I was under the impression that OP already (knew) that they wanted the Lil' Native but didn't know why and wanted comparable "action". The word smooth was the word that threw everything off. Because you can have smooth like CRK (Dfly) or smooth like Shirogorov (Para3), but they are completely different actions.
Communication is the answer we seek.
I believe that OP just needs to get a Lil' Native.
Re: Small knife with satisfying action
Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2021 10:33 am
by OakTree
wrdwrght wrote: ↑Sat Jul 10, 2021 10:05 am
Yes, I can see the image I posted.
I had to turn off my vpn to see the image. I can see it now.
Re: Small knife with satisfying action
Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2021 11:13 am
by wrdwrght
OakTree wrote: ↑Sat Jul 10, 2021 10:33 am
wrdwrght wrote: ↑Sat Jul 10, 2021 10:05 am
Yes, I can see the image I posted.
I had to turn off my vpn to see the image. I can see it now.
Interesting. I wonder if some VPNs dislike callouts to image-hosting sites.
Re: Small knife with satisfying action
Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2021 11:18 am
by OakTree
wrdwrght wrote: ↑Sat Jul 10, 2021 11:13 am
OakTree wrote: ↑Sat Jul 10, 2021 10:33 am
wrdwrght wrote: ↑Sat Jul 10, 2021 10:05 am
Yes, I can see the image I posted.
I had to turn off my vpn to see the image. I can see it now.
Interesting. I wonder if some VPNs dislike callouts to image-hosting sites.
I tried opening the image directly with the vpn running - no dice. Once I turned it off I could see it in the post and in a separate page. It's definitely the vpn. I have issues with other websites too.
Re: Small knife with satisfying action
Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2021 11:54 am
by z1r
kobold wrote: ↑Thu Jul 01, 2021 1:32 pm
The Chaparrals are nicer, smoother, but heavier and bigger than the SE DF2 Salt. I like them all, but they are different use knives.
Excludung the Ladybug Salt Hawkbill that rides on my keychain, I carry two knives; a DF2 and either an N5, M2, or Endela depending on the day's chores.
On days when I carry only one knife, the Chaparral gets the nod.
Whatever is said about the "action" of the DF2, note that it is the knife I reach for 90% of the time.
Re: Small knife with satisfying action
Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2021 12:31 pm
by z1r
OakTree wrote: ↑Fri Jul 09, 2021 6:50 pm
wrdwrght wrote: ↑Thu Jul 08, 2021 1:27 pm
On size alone, any of the following could qualify or not qualify as an DF2 alternative, depending on what metrics for size you favor.
For example, the Poliwog (at the top) has the same edge-length as the DF2 (at the bottom), but its arc is more than half an inch taller. Because of how this arc closes, the Poliwog is quite a hog in the pocket. Disqualified?
As another example, the Dodo has a shorter and thicker blade than the DF2, and about the same edge-length, but a handle an inch longer. Disqualified?
Without refining your preferences, you’ll get recommendations all over the map.
And I’d suggest there is no other Spydie really like the DF2. And that’s a good thing. Not because the DF2 is so great—which it is—but because Spyderco offers us such different great little knives.
I can't see your image. Can you?
I almost bought another Dragonfly in ZDP. In the meantime, I'm really enjoying my Dragonfly and have not encountered a task that required a larger knife.
What is teh 7th from the bottom? Looks interesting.
Yeah, I scored a 2nd ZDP DF2 recently, the one knife I litterally carry every day!
Re: Small knife with satisfying action
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2021 1:32 am
by metaphoricalsimile
wrdwrght wrote: ↑Thu Jul 08, 2021 1:27 pm
OakTree wrote: ↑Sat Jul 03, 2021 12:43 pm
wrdwrght wrote: ↑Sat Jul 03, 2021 10:51 am
Since you ask for a DF2 alternative, I would ask—in hono(u)r of the late Cliff Stamp—what do you mean by “small”, “action”, and indeed “satisfying”? :)
Small: Same size as the Dragonfly.
Action: Opening and closing.
Satisfying: Fast. Smooth. Solid. Effortless.
This much was clear in your opening comments.
On size alone, any of the following could qualify or not qualify as an DF2 alternative, depending on what metrics for size you favor.
For example, the Poliwog (at the top) has the same edge-length as the DF2 (at the bottom), but its arc is more than half an inch taller. Because of how this arc closes, the Poliwog is quite a hog in the pocket. Disqualified?
As another example, the Dodo has a shorter and thicker blade than the DF2, and about the same edge-length, but a handle an inch longer. Disqualified?
Without refining your preferences, you’ll get recommendations all over the map.
And I’d suggest there is no other Spydie really like the DF2. And that’s a good thing. Not because the DF2 is so great—which it is—but because Spyderco offers us such different great little knives.
I would love a list of all of these knives!
Re: Small knife with satisfying action
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2021 8:43 am
by wrdwrght
metaphoricalsimile wrote: ↑Sun Jul 11, 2021 1:32 am
I would love a list of all of these knives!
Top to bottom:
Poliwog
Dodo
Pingo
Lil’Native
Vrango
Urban
Techno2
Air
Lil’Nilakka
DF2
Re: Small knife with satisfying action
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2021 9:19 am
by metaphoricalsimile
wrdwrght wrote: ↑Sun Jul 11, 2021 8:43 am
metaphoricalsimile wrote: ↑Sun Jul 11, 2021 1:32 am
I would love a list of all of these knives!
Top to bottom:
Poliwog
Dodo
Pingo
Lil’Native
Vrango
Urban
Techno2
Air
Lil’Nilakka
DF2
Dang nice small spidy collection. I've never seen that Vrango before and I love its looks.
Re: Small knife with satisfying action
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2021 10:01 am
by wrdwrght
metaphoricalsimile wrote: ↑Sun Jul 11, 2021 9:19 am
wrdwrght wrote: ↑Sun Jul 11, 2021 8:43 am
metaphoricalsimile wrote: ↑Sun Jul 11, 2021 1:32 am
I would love a list of all of these knives!
Top to bottom:
Poliwog
Dodo
Pingo
Lil’Native
Vrango
Urban
Techno2
Air
Lil’Nilakka
DF2
Dang nice small spidy collection. I've never seen that Vrango before and I love its looks.
Thanks. Sal, Eric, and their collaborators have made it easy and fun.
The Vrango is spectacular but, being a recurve, does require a resetting of expectations. Sharpening is something of a challenge (especially where the “hawkbill” gives way to the “tanto”), and use is a bit less than general. When I was fly-fishing decades ago, it would have been the perfect carry. Little surprise to me that the knife’s designer is an avid fisherman.
Re: Small knife with satisfying action
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2021 10:13 am
by wrdwrght
z1r wrote: ↑Sat Jul 10, 2021 12:31 pm
What is teh 7th from the bottom? Looks interesting.
Eric’s Lil’Native, a masterpiece in my eyes. I’m really looking forward to the slipjoint version, just for the choice.
Re: Small knife with satisfying action
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2021 2:50 pm
by z1r
wrdwrght wrote: ↑Sun Jul 11, 2021 10:13 am
z1r wrote: ↑Sat Jul 10, 2021 12:31 pm
What is teh 7th from the bottom? Looks interesting.
Eric’s Lil’Native, a masterpiece in my eyes. I’m really looking forward to the slipjoint version, just for the choice.
Nice, gotta keep my eye open for one. Thanks.