Spyderco Forums

Nobody can eat just one piece of popcorn. Once it is in front of you, you will keep popping those kernels into your mouth and eat more than you realize.

Spyderco Dragonflies are like that, for me. I can't seem to stop buying them. I just bought another one in H1! I can't stop! I now have 7 of these little knives. Why do I need 7? I do not need 7 of anything (except underwear).

I have a Nishijin ZDP-189, a G10, 4 lightweights in VG-10, and a light weight Salt in H1. The Dragonfly is not even my favorite small Spyderco (though it is near the top). I like the Urban LW and Chaparral better. But, I cannot stop buying these things. Sal must put something in them to make them addicting.

I know. The H1 PE was my first Spydie. Going to grab an orange VG-10 here soon. Hoping to see some different solid blade steels like K390, M390, Elmax, AEB-L, and LC200N soon. I'm not into laminated blades or I would have bought all of the prior 3 sprint runs. I would also buy a blacked out H1 Salt in PE and SE in a heartbeart!

I think I have the same, or more. I think we’re sick. And soon there’ll be more flavours.

Yep they're the Lays potato chips of the knife world. Betcha can't have just one! I think I have 5 at the moment. :)

Never had one, but the WC is a must buy.

I bought a PE AUS8 or VG10 one years ago, found the ergos did not work for me, and gave it away to a family member.

Doc, though I don't own a DFly, I know what you mean:

I once had to decide between a Chap lw and a DFly for a small IWB trail-running and throw-it -unclipped-in-zippered-pocket-knife (could get only one, not both):

It was clear very soon, that the Chap would be the much better decision for my personal general preferences and needs and the intedet purpose. So I went with it.

Still, though knowing I really did not need it in any way or weiredly even should not like it theoretically concerning size, actual edge and so on, I somehow almost could not get the DFly go... literally waited till the last days of the return time period to finally still send it back.

Ever since I wanted one, though not really knowing why. Now with the upcoming Wharnie it's finally clear I'll have to pull the trigger eventually. Though I hope for an orange one. That color and also the WC bladeshape fit a very small folder perfectly imho.

Wartstein wrote: ↑

Thu May 09, 2019 10:48 pm

It was clear very soon, that the Chap would be the much better decision for my personal general preferences and needs and the intedet purpose. So I went with it.

i honestly because you love the chap so much i am looking at it even though it is backlock. i would just to see all of the blade steels in a df. like how we have s110v and maxamet now it many production knives why not the df.

rabbitanarchy14 wrote: ↑

Thu May 09, 2019 11:03 pm

Wartstein wrote: ↑

Thu May 09, 2019 10:48 pm

It was clear very soon, that the Chap would be the much better decision for my personal general preferences and needs and the intedet purpose. So I went with it.

i honestly because you love the chap so much i am looking at it even though it is backlock. i would just to see all of the blade steels in a df. like how we have s110v and maxamet now it many production knives why not the df.

I'd honestly recommend the Chap to practically anyone who loves knives, but since I know that you don't like backlocks: Please keep in mind, that some people (even some who like backlocks generally) find the Chaps lockbar hard and even uncomfortable to depress!!

I don't have that issue with mine, but then I am very used to backlocks, my fingers are probably quite strong and have some callus from climbing and playing guitar, and even I have to admit, that probably out of all my backlocks the Chap's lock is the "hardest" to operate (though still no problem in any way).

That said: There is an easy fix for that (and several people on this forum did it with obviously great success). Moving the spring of the lock a bit to the front (like 3 mm or so).

Vivi wrote: ↑

Thu May 09, 2019 9:00 pm

I bought a PE AUS8 or VG10 one years ago, found the ergos did not work for me, and gave it away to a family member.

Since I mentioned the Chap lw anyway already:
Vivi, did you ever give it a try? For me it's somehow the "DFly for big hands" (so even more so for you than for me), the blade is even thinner and slicier than the DFlys, and CTS HXP great steel (especially for the price) as far as I can tell with my limited steel-knowledge.

Back to the DFly:

Doc (and others), do you think the blades of the upcoming Wharnie and the regular DFly will be interchangable? I most likely think so. But theoretically it could be, that the Wharnie blade requires more/deeper space towards the tip inside the handle when folded in (since having no belly) and the Wharnie handle is specifically shaped for that?!

If interchangable, I could purchase an upcoming black handled Wharnie DFly plus an orange regular DFly, swap the blades, have an orange Wharnie and sell the then black regular one again...(Forum member Ric suggested that to me in a pm, thanks again, Ric!!)

Wartstein wrote: ↑

Thu May 09, 2019 11:21 pm

Vivi wrote: ↑

Thu May 09, 2019 9:00 pm

I bought a PE AUS8 or VG10 one years ago, found the ergos did not work for me, and gave it away to a family member.

Since I mentioned the Chap lw anyway already:
Vivi, did you ever give it a try? For me it's somehow the "DFly for big hands" (so even more so for you than for me), the blade is even thinner and slicier than the DFlys, and CTS HXP great steel (especially for the price) as far as I can tell with my limited steel-knowledge.

I have not. I used to own and EDC the UKPK, Caly 3, Native etc. That was as small as I ever cared to go, and these days I'm of the philosophy that I'd rather carry one big knife than two knives. The Police 4 feels made for my hand and anything smaller feels like a compromise.

I hear good things about the cutting performance of that model, so between that and the nice blade to handle ratio I can understand why fans of that size like the Chap. I'd certainly try one out if I carried smaller folders, being a fan of backlocks, thin FFG blades, etc.

Wartstein wrote: ↑

Thu May 09, 2019 11:16 pm

my fingers are probably quite strong

Bloke wrote: ↑

Fri May 10, 2019 1:18 am

Wartstein wrote: ↑

Thu May 09, 2019 11:16 pm

my fingers are probably quite strong

Man, I am honored by finally having made it into the "bloke-joke-material-provider-league"!!! (Was about time!)
:D :D

Wartstein wrote: ↑

Thu May 09, 2019 11:16 pm

I'd honestly recommend the Chap to practically anyone who loves knives, but since I know that you don't like backlocks: Please keep in mind, that some people (even some who like backlocks generally) find the Chaps lockbar hard and even uncomfortable to depress!!

I don't have that issue with mine, but then I am very used to backlocks, my fingers are probably quite strong and have some callus from climbing and playing guitar, and even I have to admit, that probably out of all my backlocks the Chap's lock is the "hardest" to operate (though still no problem in any way).

That said: There is an easy fix for that (and several people on this forum did it with obviously great success). Moving the spring of the lock a bit to the front (like 3 mm or so).

So I should prob just stick with getting a brouwer for me. Thanks wartstein.

rabbitanarchy14 wrote: ↑

Fri May 10, 2019 1:46 am

Wartstein wrote: ↑

Thu May 09, 2019 11:16 pm

I'd honestly recommend the Chap to practically anyone who loves knives, but since I know that you don't like backlocks: Please keep in mind, that some people (even some who like backlocks generally) find the Chaps lockbar hard and even uncomfortable to depress!!

I don't have that issue with mine, but then I am very used to backlocks, my fingers are probably quite strong and have some callus from climbing and playing guitar, and even I have to admit, that probably out of all my backlocks the Chap's lock is the "hardest" to operate (though still no problem in any way).

That said: There is an easy fix for that (and several people on this forum did it with obviously great success). Moving the spring of the lock a bit to the front (like 3 mm or so).

So I should prob just stick with getting a brouwer for me. Thanks wartstein.

If you really don't want to give backlocks another try generally, probably yes (so: Brouwer instead of Chap)

But other than that: No, imho..

Chap: MUCH shorter and lighter when closed, but having the same amount of edge as the brouwer. Much thinner, but still strong blade (perfect for a smaller knife). And maybe one of the best "bang for the buck" Spydies... CTS HXP and amazing fit and finish for that price is hard to beat..

Again, if you do the "spring mod", the backlock should be easy to operate. But, sure, it will still be a backlock.. my favorite, but not yours...

Yeah, I hear ya Doc. I have had seven Dragonflies as well - although I've gifted away the Tattoo and the G10 model, which I picked up while in Japan.

I have the VG10 model, which I put some Koa wood scales on; also the Superblue, HAP40, ZDP189, and SE H1 versions.

It's a superb knife, one of Sal's perfect designs I reckon. There's not a single thing I'd change on it. One of the features I enjoy compared to some other Spydie models is the distinctive swedge, which reduces blade drag when cutting through thick and/or binding material. You can get a surprising amount of work done with that small blade.

I have pairs in different steels of a few other Spyderco models which I enjoy (like the PM2, Delica, Endura, UKPK and Manix 2), but the Dragonfly stands alone as the only model which I've been compelled to try out so many different versions of.

My most used one is probably the ZDP189 version.

I also like the K390 Urban a little bit more, but probably favour the Dragonfly over the Chaparral.

Funny this popped up, as I absolutely love my only model (Vtoku2) and just yesterday was on Ebay looking at a few others...because the same thing, such a great little knife and typically under $80 or so. I'm actually watching a couple ZDP189's as we speak.

Wartstein wrote: ↑

Thu May 09, 2019 11:46 pm

Back to the DFly:

Doc (and others), do you think the blades of the upcoming Wharnie and the regular DFly will be interchangable? I most likely think so. But theoretically it could be, that the Wharnie blade requires more/deeper space towards the tip inside the handle when folded in (since having no belly) and the Wharnie handle is specifically shaped for that?!

If interchangable, I could purchase an upcoming black handled Wharnie DFly plus an orange regular DFly, swap the blades, have an orange Wharnie and sell the then black regular one again...(Forum member Ric suggested that to me in a pm, thanks again, Ric!!)

If anything is different it'll be the inside of the handle at the end where the tip of the blade nests inside. If the standard handle doesn't work I'd bet they used the hawkbill handle since they already have the molds for it and it's more accommodating in that area.

Older pic, but you know where I stand :)