On the fence

[billdoier72]

Have been seriously considering buying a Dragonfly 2 K390.
But having never had one in hand, I'm not sure.
I have a Chaparral in XHP and really like it.
Are the two similar in hand?
Or is the Dragonfly a different experience all together?
I am partial to tool steels and don't have K390 in my current line up.

[Manixguy@1994]

I would say a different experience. I lean towards larger knives ( no secret here ) but have carried a DF2 Salt in my weak side pocket for going on 3 years . I also have a DF2 exclusive in CPM20V. No regrets, great small knife, think one in K390 would be a work horse. MG2

[z1r]

I love the DF2 due to its small size and light weight. The K390 is a bonus. The Chap is similarly sized as as as handle goes but offers considerably more blade. That at a cost of more weight. Glad I have both.

Crappy pic but DF2 bottom left and Chap 2nd from left on top row.



My experience is that the DF2 doesn't fill the hand like a Chap would but that is offset by it being so compact.

FWIW, my EDC consists of a DF2 in one pocket, and K390 Endela in the other. When I only carry one knife, it's usually a Chaparral.

[Spicy Suplex]

Gonna have to say different experience as well. 'Both good, just different'. DF2 is more of a horseshoe in the hand, the chappy is more of a ruler in the hand. Typing that I realize it may or may not be useful to you, because it's kind of apparent from looking at them, but that's the best way I can put it.

I end up holding the DF2 in more of a "hooky" "claw" type grip, whereas the chap has more versatility in the different grips my hand can take on it. Personal mileage will always vary with these things, though!

[Tgmr05]

The Dragonfly and Chaparral are two of my favorite knives.

The Dragonfly is lighter, smaller, and feels slightly different. It really fits the little big knife moniker, though. Probably the knife I carry the most.

The Chaparral is slimmer, a little larger/longer, and heavier - but is quite more hardy than its slim profile appears. Very useful, while still compact. Has the same blade edge length as a Native, basically.

The k390 version should really make you smile…

[abbazaba]

Totally different knife, but still great! Plus, does it get better than K390 for tool steel junkies?!? Old comparo pic:

[Road Tripper]

The Dragonfly is probably worth a try but, for what it's worth, it wasn't comfortable for me, where the Chaparral is fine.

[Coastal]

For me, the Dragonfly isn't large enough to be comfortable, but it's probably the best small knife I have. It's certainly the smallest I carry. The Chaparral's selling point IMO is a longer edge and thinner blade, still in a small package. Lots of handle choices, too!

[billdoier72]

Well, you guys pushed me over the edge.

I just ordered the Dragonfly 2 K390 Wharncliffe from GP Knives.

I'll let you all know about the F&F and all that when it gets here.

[cabfrank]

I think you will be happy. It's hard to imagine not appreciating a Dragonfly. Let us know.

[TkoK83Spy]

I'm a medium/large or large kind of knife guy myself, but there's a few smaller models I really appreciate and the Dragonfly is one of them. I no longer have a Chap, but that is also a fine knife and I found them to have quite a different feel. I think it's worth it, especially if you already have that itch!

[wrdwrght]

Someone here recently said that the Dragonfly is not comfortable in hand. I have two and agree.

Then it struck me that the Dragonfly is not intended for long and challenging work. But it will do in a pinch when a more comfortable knife is not at hand. And for small work, the model is ideal.

If small knives become your thing, don’t overlook the Urbans and Lil’Natives. IMO, they buy you a more comfortable grip and beefier blade to better deal with long and challenging work.

[Blerv]

The Dragonfly is the Lotus Elise of the LBK line. Probably smallest/lightest knife I can get a serious grip on. It actually carries decently well inside the waistband.

The Chap is more sophisticated. In my weird metaphor it’s a Lotus Extige. An excellent design but less bare-bones.

[Doc Dan]

Dragonflies are like popcorn. Once you try one, you have to have more.

[Toucan]

The big difference is the size and weight, but the thumb ramp is the biggest thing for me. Makes the knife a bit less comfy.

I also find that the curve of the Dragonfly handle causes the knife to feel that it has more of a negative blade angle.

I've also never had a Dragonfly that didn't have a fair bit of play and lock rock. Coming from the Chaparral, that can be a bit jarring. It's not ideal, but the charms of the Dragonfly make it easier to ignore.

[Wartstein]

Back when I wanted a really small Spydie primarily as an iwb knife for running it was between the Chap FRN and the DFly and I had both in hand.

And while the DFly actually has almost just half the weight of the Chap I decided for the latter and never looked back - for several reasons: Chap did not really feel like a much larger carry to me, but offers over 20 % more cutting edge, an even slicier blade and that rock solid back lock and bomb proof, but extremely slim built that actually made it much more than "just" a running knife for me - but rather an all around, (also) hard use outdoor small folder.

That said: It was NOT easy to part with that DFly again, it is a really cool knife, and, to your question: In another way than the Chap and so for me actually a "different experience" indeed.

If I was into small Spydies or even if I just would not try to keep my user array as slim as possible, I´d certainly own a Dfly too. and to be honest: I am sometimes "on the fence" a bit too and think about getting a wharnie or the Salt SE or the orange handled "regular" one just for the "cool factor". I just know that I´d probably almost never carry it, but grab my Chap or Salt 2 SE instead, since these two are really small folders for me personally already, and I value a good amount of cutting edge.

[billdoier72]

Well, the little Dragonfly arrived today.

The F&F are on point. Even grind, centered blade, etc.

Out of the box sharpness was the weakest point and not up to the usual standard. But that is the least of my worries when buying a knife as long as all else is right.

I look forward to getting to know this knife and steel.

Thanks for all the encouragement!

[z1r]

Hard not to like a DF2, especially in K390! Congrats!

[cabfrank]

Looks great.

[metaphoricalsimile]

Well, the little Dragonfly arrived today.

The F&F are on point. Even grind, centered blade, etc.

Out of the box sharpness was the weakest point and not up to the usual standard. But that is the least of my worries when buying a knife as long as all else is right.

I look forward to getting to know this knife and steel.

Thanks for all the encouragement!

I had a similar out-of-the-box edge experience with my K390 (leaf blade) dragon fly. I think maybe it's a relatively new steel and their factory sharpening just isn't always quite up to the task of getting a good clean apex on it. That being said, K390 sharpens remarkably easily for its extreme edge performance and I was able to get it shaving sharp freehand, although it's not the prettiest edge ever.