The perfect pocket knife

[skidoosh]

Greetings from a long time lurker 
I'm in the search for new folding pocket knife- requirement, small, lockback light for edc. 
I currently carry a little buck which works ok but doesn't have great edge retention and is a bit heavy

The front-runners are Fallkniven U2 (better steel) or Kabar Mini-Dozier (lighter cheaper).
the question is economy vs. technology
1) How hard is the U2 to sharpen with powder steel?
2) Anybody have a mini-dozier?  How is edge retention?   
I prefer not to pay over $75
What think yea?

[Pacu]

Kershaw Blur is cheap (40ish bucks at walmart) and well made. Holds a good edge.

[Zack]

Lots of good sharps in that range.  Ones that come to mind are: Benchmade Griptilian (large and small), Spyderco Delica/Native/Endura, Kershaw Blur, Buck Vantage Avid/Pro.  Tons to pick from.  If it were me, I would go with either the Buck Vantage or the Griptillin.

[GraysonK]

Have you looked at or tried the Spyderco Dragonfly?  It is an awesome little knife, very easy to sharpen and really fun.  The FRN handled one is really light but not toyishly so.  The only drawback to that one is that the pocket clip is a part of the handle material...it's all one piece so you can't remove it or change it up.  On the flip side, they do now make a  G-10 version with a removable wire pocket clip.  I havent tried it yet, but it sure looks nice.  Another suggestion would be the Delica or the Salt 1 by Spyderco.  Again, decent edge retention and easy to sharpen.  I prefer the Salt 1 because I think it's just cool and H1 rocks!  But that's me.  For a little very handy EDC pocket knife, I'd go for the Dragonfly.  But there are tons of people on here that know way more than I do about this stuff. 

[Smitty44]

Welcome to the forums Skidoosh,a lot depends on what you are going to use the knife for,a good all around knife is a case stockman,small for EDC,has three different blades for all kinds of use,and easy to keep sharp,for single blades,about any of the above mentioned will work.
 &

[ringzero]

The front-runners are Fallkniven U2 (better steel) or Kabar Mini-Dozier (lighter cheaper).
the question is economy vs. technology
1) How hard is the U2 to sharpen with powder steel?
2) Anybody have a mini-dozier?  How is edge retention?   
I prefer not to pay over $75
What think yea?

I have no experience of the U2, but most online reviews give it high marks.

I do own several of the KaBar Dozier 3-inch blade Folding Hunters and also the KaBar Mini 2.25-inch blade Folders.

The 3-inch version is my most commonly EDCed folder.

Nice and light at 2.3 oz, so it's barely noticeable when EDCed clipped to a pocket.  The pocket clip is excellent - very secure.  Handle contour and blade shape are very attractive IMO, and ergonomics are great.  Lockup is tight with no bladeplay.  AUS8A blade holds an edge well enough to suit my needs in an EDC knife, and is easy to touch up.

The 2.25 inch version weighs in at 1.2 oz IIRC, the same weight and blade length as a Spyderco FRN Dragonfly.  Tight lockup without bladeplay and has the same blade steel as the bigger model.

Shorter handle offers a decent three-finger grip, and overall the ergonomics are good for light duty tasks.  Fine to carry loose in a pocket or on a keychain.  The clip is very good and will hold it securely clipped into a shirt pocket or even the collar of a tee-shirt.

I have several each of the 3-inch and the 2.25-inch versions, in various handle and blade colors.

IMO, the KaBar Dozier Folders make great EDC knives because:
-they have classic good looks and ergonomics
-they cut about as well as more expensive knives
-you won't hestitate to use them for any task that arises
-you won't be broken up if one is lost, stolen, or broken.

I see these knives as a sort of poor man's Spyderco Delica or Cold Steel Voyager.  About one-third the cost of a Delica or Voyager, but with about the same functionality.

Hope this info helps in your decision.

.

 

[skidoosh]

Ringzero-
Thanks that's some of the information I needed.  I have a Dozier folder- 3 inch and really like it- its solid, good edge and handles chores well but its just a bit to big for EDC, I'm looking for something that doesn't draw attention when I snap it out.  I just had not seen any reviews of the little brother online and I think you have swayed me! 

[ringzero]

Ringzero-
Thanks that's some of the information I needed.  I have a Dozier folder- 3 inch and really like it- its solid, good edge and handles chores well but its just a bit to big for EDC, I'm looking for something that doesn't draw attention when I snap it out.  I just had not seen any reviews of the little brother online and I think you have swayed me! 

Glad I could help out, skidoosh.

I also have a Sypderco FRN Dragonfly which is the same weight and blade length as the KaBar Mini Dozier Folder.

I must say that the FRN Dragonfly feels a lot more capable in my hand than the KaBar, due to better ergonomics.

I'd rate the Dragonfly as suitable for light to medium tasks, while the Mini Dozier would be better suited to light tasks only.

However, the Dragonfly costs three to four times as much as the little KaBar, is a little bulkier in the pocket, and its FRN clip isn't as secure as the Mini Dozier's clip.

.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Another vote for the Dragonfly here

Although Ben loves his U2, and it's a very fine knife

[skidoosh]

How easy would it be to remove the clip on a dragon fly?  I've lost other knives on clips and don't really trust them- I'd prefer to simply carry in my pocket.

[jzmtl]

If you are talking about the FRN version, you can't, it's molded on. But G10 version it's just a few screws.

Regard U2, a guy on youtube did some cardboard test and showed the SGPS isn't that great.

[ringzero]

How easy would it be to remove the clip on a dragon fly?  I've lost other knives on clips and don't really trust them- I'd prefer to simply carry in my pocket.

Some people remove the clip from a FRN Dragonfly immediately upon getting the knife.

I haven't done it, but it can't be very hard.  Diagonal cutters, file, and then sandpaper should do a neat job.

Actually, although the clip makes the knife a little thicker, I think the clip improves the ergonomics.  Makes the knife a bit easier to open one handed.

What makes a FRN Dragonfly bulkier than a Dozier Mini isn't so much that it's thicker, but that it's wider from the top of the blade to the back of the handle when it's folded up.

However, when carrying my FRN Dragonfly loose in a front pocket I barely notice it's there.  Folded length is short enough that it fits well into the bottom of a pants pocket and then it doesn't shift around.

.

[GraysonK]

Like they said, you can't remove the clip without cutting it off, but it really doesn't cause a problem.  I tried clipping it when I first got the knife and quickly decided I didn't like it.  Much easier just to throw it in a pocket and/or if you prefer throw a little lanyard on it or a split ring and hang it from something.  Although i prefer to just drop it in a pocket.  It is a great little knife and with your budget you could probably get 2. 

[skidoosh]

I'm finding dragonfly's with aus-8 steel and vg-10  is one better than the other?

[GraysonK]

I can't compare aus-8 and vg-10 because I only have the vg-10. I'm not really a steel type guru...the only thing I know is that I love H1 but that's a different story!    I couldn't really tell you anything except that I don't have a bit of trouble sharpening the vg-10, but haven't had to do it often because it holds a pretty good edge.  i hope someone else can more accurately answer your question.    So are you leaning toward it?

[jzmtl]

VG10 will last longer between sharpenings. Some people say it's also harder to sharpen, but I've never noticed it with my ceramic and diamond sharpening stones. If you use arkansas stone it may be thou.

[skidoosh]

Wow- to many options that are dangerous. I saw the green handled dragon fly and started drooling but the price just went up!  But I'm seriously considering the dragonfly with vg-10. The cheapest I can find is in white which I'm not crazy about.  Can anyone give me a measurement for how wide it is folded from the top of the hump? 

[GraysonK]

Oh, I don't know where it is so maybe someone else can help you, but someone just posted a thread not too long ago about how you can dye the FRN handles of the white dragonfly to whatever color you want.  That was pretty cool. 

PM coming to you, skidoosh. 

[Benner]

VG10 all the way.  Aus8 isn't a bad steel and it is easy to sharpen but you'll lose an edge much quicker than you will with VG10 and I have never had any problem sharpening it.

[cliosguy]

Lots of good sharps in that range.  Ones that come to mind are: Benchmade Griptilian (large and small), Spyderco Delica/Native/Endura, Kershaw Blur, Buck Vantage Avid/Pro.  Tons to pick from.  If it were me, I would go with either the Buck Vantage or the Griptillin.

+1

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Another vote for VG10

Superb 'real world' steel

[ringzero]

Wow- to many options that are dangerous. I saw the green handled dragon fly and started drooling but the price just went up!  But I'm seriously considering the dragonfly with vg-10. The cheapest I can find is in white which I'm not crazy about.  Can anyone give me a measurement for how wide it is folded from the top of the hump? 

Quick measurements up against a ruler.

Thickness is measured to from opposite scale to highest point on of the clip.

Width is measured when folded from back of blade to back of handle.

Kabar Mini Dozier:
Length: 3 3/8 in
Thickness: 1/2 in
Width: 1 in

Spyderco FRN Dragonfly:
Length: 3 1/4 in
Thickness: 1/2 in
Width: 1 7/8 in

So, you can see that D'fly is somewhat bulkier.

Despite being 1/8 in shorter than Mini Dozier, D'fly is nearly twice the width of the Mini Dozier.

In the pocket or in the hand, D'fly feels bulkier.

.

[GraysonK]

Here's some pics of my dragonfly and some comparison pics with a LM Pulse and a SAK Explorer:

[ringzero]

Very nice pics, Gray - they give a good feel for the size of the D'fly.

P.S.  Next time wipe those nasty fingerprints off before you take photos - the SAK and the Pulse look real grungy!  ;>

.

[GraysonK]

Very nice pics, Gray - they give a good feel for the size of the D'fly.

P.S.  Next time wipe those nasty fingerprints off before you take photos - the SAK and the Pulse look real grungy!  ;>

.

Yeah I know.  I saw that after I'd put everything away and uploaded the pics.  I didn't feel like dragging it all back out again.  But point taken  it shall never happen again.   

[skidoosh]

Great pics for comparison- thanks
Grayson PM sent to you
What did you do to that SAK? 

[GraysonK]

Great pics for comparison- thanks
Grayson PM sent to you
What did you do to that SAK? 

Ok, I messed up on the pics.    No SAK's or MT's were harmed during the making of these photos.  I just didn't see the gunk.  I shall remedy that  post haste.   

[AHB]

Yeah I know.  I saw that after I'd put everything away and uploaded the pics.  I didn't feel like dragging it all back out again.  But point taken  it shall never happen again.   

Those fingerprints really doesn't matter, Kel.. We all know you're a user..  

[GraysonK]

Yeah I know.  I saw that after I'd put everything away and uploaded the pics.  I didn't feel like dragging it all back out again.  But point taken  it shall never happen again.   

Those fingerprints really doesn't matter, Kel.. We all know you're a user..  

There's a joke in that statement somewhere but it's eluding me at the moment.  

[GraysonK]

A little better?