Suggestions to expand my collection?

[Skaaphaas]

I am as excited as little puppy, I may have the opportunity for an acquaintance in the US to bring me a knife or two on his return here.

I want to spend about $220, and I thought of buying off Knife Centre. I'm thinking 2 knives.

One of them will have to be a Dragonfly, and currently uhming and ahing between the orange FRN, and the foliage green VG10. Is the price difference worth it? But then there's the Salt version. And the ZDP-189. My head is spinning!

Then, I wanted a blurple PM2, but doesn't seem like they will get them in any time soon.

So I'm stuck on this one.

Which other knife? My daily carry is a stock S30V PM2.

Manix in G10? Or too similar to the PM2? Native 5 in S35vn? Or again, too similar? I like the Manix's lock over the Native's.

Now if I take one of those in S110V the budget is maxed. If I don't, I may be able to squeeze in a zome Delica, which would be great.

Argh! My head is spinning with all the options! It's literally more than 50% cheaper than here!

[demoncase]

First World Problems. :D

Breath and relax.

When I'm in a tailspin on knife choice, I take a couple of days and then look over how many times I've looked at a particular knife....If I've looked at it once and never gone back to it, it's probably not hooked me enough to buy it.

If I've gone back to look at it 3-4 times, then it's a sure fire addition.

[Brock O Lee]

If you already have a PM2, don't buy another one, rather get something else...

What is your ideal blade length? Lock? Carbon steel or Stainless? Easy to sharpen or not? Handle material?

[mrtodd777]

Gayle Bradley 2 and and a ZDP dragonfly!

[Skaaphaas]

If you already have a PM2, don't buy another one, rather get something else...

What is your ideal blade length? Lock? Carbon steel or Stainless? Easy to sharpen or not? Handle material?

Asking the hard questions. Can I answer and say I don't really know? I think I'm too new into this.

What I can say is that I prefer G10 over FRN.

I really like the compression lock of my PM2, and I prefer a lockback over a linerlock.

Blade length is difficult. I like my PM2 as a largish folder. I carried a Cara Cara 2 and found it too long, hence my interest in the Delica.

So I want one of the small knives (Dragonfly), and then something bigger. The Dragonfly is one of those that I must have.

So far my list of possible wants looks as follows:

Dragonfly FRN (VG10)
Dragonfly H1
Dragonfly G10 (VG10)
Delica (VG10)
Native 5 FRN
Manix 2 G10 (S30V)
Manix 2 Blurple G10 (S110V)
Native 5 FRN S110V
Millie (S30V)

These are the knives that appeal to me. The Millie more because people here rave about it, so not a first choice at all.

As for blade steel, I don't have enough experience to give a definitive answer. I don't think I need a really hard-wearing steel in something like a Dragonfly. I'd like a better steel in a bigger knife, but as an office-johnny it's more for the idea thereof than actual need.

When my knives see the most work is when I'm out camping, and it's not major use or for extended periods.

[dplafoll]

Any Dragonfly 2 is a win. But I would suggest the ZDP-189 version, or (more so) a HAP40 if you can find it. VG-10 isn't awful, but I really like both of my DF2s in those steels more than I've liked VG-10.

Another great knife is the Chaparral. It's in between the Dragonfly and the Delica in size.

[Skaaphaas]

Any Dragonfly 2 is a win. But I would suggest the ZDP-189 version, or (more so) a HAP40 if you can find it. VG-10 isn't awful, but I really like both of my DF2s in those steels more than I've liked VG-10.

Another great knife is the Chaparral. It's in between the Dragonfly and the Delica in size.

I'm worried about ZDP, is it not too difficult to sharpen? I only have the standard Sharpmaker stones.

[farnorthdan]

I would pick the Manix2 S110V, the piece I received was perfect/very nice example of the run. I like bigger blades so I would also grab a Military if you don't have one already. good luck,

[dplafoll]

Any Dragonfly 2 is a win. But I would suggest the ZDP-189 version, or (more so) a HAP40 if you can find it. VG-10 isn't awful, but I really like both of my DF2s in those steels more than I've liked VG-10.

Another great knife is the Chaparral. It's in between the Dragonfly and the Delica in size.

I'm worried about ZDP, is it not too difficult to sharpen? I only have the standard Sharpmaker stones.

If you were to let it get truly not sharp, or if you want/need to re-profile, you'll need diamond/CBN stones. But you can maintain ZDP pretty easily with the standard SM stones, which is what I have as well. I do recommend the HAP40 if you can get it though, because it's definitely easier to sharpen.

[vivi]

S110V Military

Readily available and shares a lot of design attributes with the Para 2's. Don't let the size intimidate you, it carries smaller than it is. Also the S110V run includes the latest CQI changes.

[Xplorer]

After many years (decades now...dang, I'm getting old) I've figured out what works for me in this instance. When I am having hard time deciding between knives I trust my gut. If there is one that seems to be calling you (rational thoughts and considerations aside) buy it and you'll be happy with your purchase. All of the Spyderco knives are great pieces on their own. This decision is more about you than the knives. Trust your gut :) :spyder: .

[SF Native]

Gayle Bradley 2 and and a ZDP dragonfly!

I think the Bradley 2 is really hard to find right now.

I would look into a mantra or a domino

[Skaaphaas]

After many years (decades now...dang, I'm getting old) I've figured out what works for me in this instance. When I am having hard time deciding between knives I trust my gut. If there is one that seems to be calling you (rational thoughts and considerations aside) buy it and you'll be happy with your purchase. All of the Spyderco knives are great pieces on their own. This decision is more about you than the knives. Trust your gut :) :spyder: .

On this basis it is the Manix 2 S110V, and the Dragonfly 2 with foliage green G10.

[Skaaphaas]

S110V Military

Readily available and shares a lot of design attributes with the Para 2's. Don't let the size intimidate you, it carries smaller than it is. Also the S110V run includes the latest CQI changes.

Dayum, I'll have to go look.

[Blerv]

I started by picking categories and then using deluded justification to make the purchases seem "like a smart thing to do" :p

3" blade edc (max length for one of my counties and many other places of the USA)
3.5" blade edc (max length for most of my counties)
small EDC
gents knife
something "heavy duty"
something for "self-defense"
something that "wont rust"

I started adding doubles and triples of various categories. Others I started to mature and buy less of (self-defense and hard use) based on my historical use of these. I sold some off and realized that is fairly easy but far harder than just not buying them to begin with, lol.

IMHO, if you love a certain knife like the PM2 buying duplicates or even many different steels of it isn't a great use of money. Again, that's just my opinion. Rarely in EDC life I'll even tell the difference and won't need to sharpen mid-way through a work day. Having 5 PM2's when I could have one and a Delica, Sage, Dragonfly, and Gayle Bradley (for example) gives a more diverse knife drawer. You have something to clip to almost any type of pants that way.

[Skaaphaas]

Thanks Blerv, good post.

My SD blades are centred around the Kelly McCann-type combatives training that I've done, so that's sorted for now.

Will have to investigate the other categories.

[SpyderNut]

Skaaphaas,

This may be helpful for you: I've re-arranged your list in order of Recommended Acquisition (starting from the top). This list is only based on my personal experience and use, so a grain of salt may be advised. Since you already enjoy G-10 over FRN, I'd suggest getting the G-10 D'fly first. You will not regret this purchase. Anyway, here are some ideas:

1. Dragonfly G10 (VG10) (for reasons noted above)
2. Delica (VG10) (because everyone needs at least one Delica in their collection)
3. Native 5 FRN (one of my favorite "newer" Spyderco designs. Since you like smallish knives, the N5 should be perfect)
4. Manix 2 G10 (S30V) (I'd try a less expensive Manix before the 110V model, just to make sure that you like the model)
5. Millie (S30V) (because everyone needs at least one Military in their collection)
6. Dragonfly H1 (I'd lean towards SE if going with H1, but PE would work fine too)
7. Dragonfly FRN (VG10) (It is hard to go wrong with any D'fly, but the VG-10 model is a stand-by for a lot of folks)
8. Native 5 FRN S110V
9. Manix 2 Blurple G10 (S110V)

[Bugs]

You said you like the compression lock. Get a Sage 5.

[NoFair]

Get a Military. If you don't like it you can probably sell it easily without any loss in you home country. Imho it is the best large folder on the market.

I'd also get a knife from the Salt series and preferably a serrated one (they hold their edge a lot better).

The Bradley 2 is also a great knife

[Sharp Guy]

The OP has some tough decisions to make! :D It really is hard to pick and choose between so many great models. As Blerv so eloquently said, I'd rather have a variety of different models than to have variations of a model I already own. If it came down to only buying one expensive model with super steel or being able to buy 2 or 3 base models with VG10 or S30V/S35VN I'd opt for the base models. High end steel is great and all but the basic steels are actually quite good for my needs. In fact they're light years ahead of some of the steels I had years ago. That said, it sounds like the OP isn't going to be able to buy everything on their list so it comes down to deciding which models they desire the most and which ones can wait for next time. Based on their list, no doubt there will be a next time....