Comparing the Spyderco Lil' Native vs. the Spyderco Dragonfly

[@lukejohnston5993]

I have a generation 1 dragonfly in full stainless steel that I bought a full decade ago and I recently bought a lil native and have carried it for four-five months. In my opinion, the opened lol native fits my hand and the dragonfly does not in any position. I also appreciate the lil native as a box cutter (I work as a manager in a suoermarket). I can pull the lil native from my pocket, half open it (not lock it), open a box and close and plop the knife back in my pocket very quickly. I could never do that with a back lock folder. And I love it. That’s one advantage, I also like flicking the compression lock closed and open. It’s very fun. The thing feels more and more like an extension of my hand with every passing day and a lock back has never done that. Just my two cents worth.

[@edm2822]

Luke Johnston agree on the feel. The Lil Native just feels better in my hand. The Dragonfly is great and I don’t really notice it feeling bad when cutting, but it just feels ‘off’ somehow.

[@themawsjawz_9491]

0:31 My girlfriend tells me that all the time :l

[@kenfair8178]

dickstinction without a difference

[@jussa101]

Up to the top you go

[@koolaidnd]

I think a better comparison is the lil native and the g-10 dragonfly.

[@Joe.dirt7909]

I prefer the jimping and thumb ramp on the Dragonfly’s blade.

[@tacklecentralfishing1051]

Your opinion is actually worth a damn to me....

[@louismeluso8633]

Interesting comparison but I think the 'ill Native would compare better to the Cat which is closer in size and heft. I agree that end use would determine preference but after carrying the Dragonfly for a couple of years I found it useful to open letters and cut string. The Cat did more without much more bulk or size. Cut foamcore, no problem. Breakdown boxes, check. Fit the hand better, check. For me, the "ill Native looks like a nicer upgrade to the Cat than for the Dragonfly.

[@chase6428]

Im pretty sure back lock is the strongest. Blade HQ did a video where they tested them and they couldn't get the back lock on the delica to fail, the blade would always break first. Not like it remotely matters, they are both stronger than anyone needs.

[@smlamt]

Ya but the blades broke at a pressure weaker than the other locks less force to brake

[@youtubeuser5424]

I guess that only matters, if like he said in the video, if you’re a moron, and are doing things with a knife this size that it wasn’t intended for then that might be a thing to rack your brain about.

[@jonboy9734]

@@youtubeuser5424 exactly, people using knives as pry bars......."durrr why did my blade break durrrr?"

[@richardkev3077]

Great comparison. I have both, and I agree with pretty much everything you said.

[@timrice5342]

If the lil native was like native 5 just smaller I'd buy it in heart beat. In the meantime Dragonfly2 for the win. Light enough to not notice. Big enough to get most edc task done.

[@r0ckworthy]

I love this guy's voice. Also he talks quickly which is nice.

[@x5v3n]

Great video! For EDC I'll go for the D2! 100° days here in Jersey. I want to go as lite as possible. 👍

[@NaturalMystic69]

I’m just waiting for my local store to get the blacked out Lil Native in stock so I can pick one up. Apparently Canadian Customs has been really clamping down on knife imports lately. I’ve got three Dragonflies, the original AUS8 “Clipit”, the VG10/FRN and VG10/G10 versions. All have seen pocket time but haven’t been used much lately as I don’t carry lock-backs much anymore.

[@tonydavis5053]

Lil Native compression lock is my go to edc in my rotation I remove the wire clips the g10 is 2 grippy.

[@Smaug1]

Nicely done. I like how you can appreciate and understand the latest hoity-toity knives, but you keep a practical viewpoint for the basic Spydies. I'd take the Dragonfly also. (Desk jockey)

[@alwong604]

I love my ZDP189 Dragonfly!

[@andyrichardson6188]

Thanks for the comparison. Half way through I was I was concerned about being disappointed. Then you mentioned idiots using these as stair steps and I was immediately relieved and satisfied. :)

[@jamesmin2837]

Strength wise, Blade HQs testing shows that the back lock is stronger than compression lock.

[@andyrichardson6188]

Given that neither would fail under normal use I'm not sure it really matters. This is similar to the cold steel argument. May be correct, but so what?

[@rakeyohn222]

About to say the same. Blade snapped prior to lock failure in the back lock in those tests. Back lock is extremely strong. Compression lock wasn't as impressive. More fun, though.

[@floyd2386]

It will vary knife to knife though. A thinner lockback might not be as strong as a beefy compression lock and vise versa.

[@rakeyohn222]

floyd2386 in those tests, the thinner delica had a stronger lock than the thicker pm2

[@jamesmin2837]

Andy Richardson Nobody said it matters. But it was still stated in the video. I am commenting on the video not determining if lock strength matters.

[@syphi03]

Nick should I get the Spyderco Chaparral in FRN? The price is good for the steel, fits my hand well and thin blade stock

[@NickShabazz]

Loh Jia En Soon. It’s a Delica killer

[@andyrichardson6188]

Wrechky61 The FRN Chap is $88 and has much better steel than VG-10 Delica at $75 (both U.S. prices). The ZDP Delica is $107. Both are fantastic knives. The Chaparral is better for me. Incredibly slicey blade. Not something I would take camping. For in the city EDC it's just about perfect for me.

[@bladecentered2264]

Having had both, I'd pick the DF2 hands down

[@alexmarchica5264]

why tho? why's it better for you?

[@JuggusNawt]

Excellent review/comparison @Nick Shabazz.

[@davidmclaren7147]

Nick, I really enjoy seeing comparisons because I think it provides more context for reviews. This one was framed up nicely by one of your recent videos. I'm glad you saw that (whether it was done intentionally or not). I'd be interested to see a Native, Chaparral, Sage comparison. What do you think of the idea?

[@TheRealMadmartigan]

I love the lil native but the reason I chose the Dragonfly 2 because of the lanyard hole. If the lil native had a lanyard hole I would have been sold. But I do absolutely love my Dragonfly

[@jdub3999]

How do you use the lanyard hole?

[@Agape1992]

Is buying a dragonfly in VG-10 worth it in 2019?

[@y0giib34r]

I have one and I am gonna clean mine up, sharpen it and sell mine. Getting the lil native with copper scales.

[@postiez]

What about the g10 dragonfly?

[@justinpatrickhoffman]

Compare the lil native with the cat please.

[@gxsszh]

What about Spyderco Efficient C216, LUM c65/c205?thx

[@johnpaulalbrecht7305]

After 3 years, finally got a spyderco DF2 in k390.

[@domdomsixsix]

how is the zdp to sharpen ? i've got just cheap stones and medium price range strop. im able to sharpen s30v really well but aside from that ive just sharpen lower end steel. should i pass on zdp-189 ?

[@zeger3122]

you should be fine with your current stones, it'll just take a bit longer.

[@andyrichardson6188]

Pretty tough without hard stones. I had to fix a damaged ZDP blade. Would have taken forever with my stock Edge Pro stones. Diamond stone cut it quickly, then finished with glass stones. Counter intuitively for me it needed very light pressure with both. I assume hard steel = more pressure. They cut it beautifully and gave me a great edge.

[@RutgerMulder]

You should be fine if you can handle s30v i think. ZDP-189 only has chromium carbides in it which have a lower hardness than the aluminum oxide abrasive in most sharpening stones. Sure it will take longer to sharpen than regular steels, but it is not impossible. High wear resistant steels like s30v, s90v etc have vanadium carbides in them which are much harder than regular sharpening stones with aluminum oxide.

[@domdomsixsix]

thank y'all for your answers !

[@dandildarious4849]

What KIND of stones do you have?

[@carlosmatos9848]

I got the Lil' Native just because the PM2 is my go-to, but wanted something similar that's not as "scary" looking, lol. You whip out a pm2 or manix 2 in some situations some people might get nervous.

[@Mr1Alex91]

I get the same looks with my spyderco police full serrated lol

[@carpathus]

How time flies! Between the two if there could be only one, the Lil' Native wins all day everyday. It's not even close. Dragonfly is light duty, Lil' Native is all duty. Dragonfly is like a weak 4 cyl engine compared to the Lil' Native powerful V6. Both are good, the Lil' Native is just better.

[@alexmarchica5264]

"Well thats totally like, your opinion, man."

[@gilbertrios5283]

Lol referring to v6 as powerful is an oxymoron

[@scslre]

​@@gilbertrios5283 a gtr is not a powerful car?

[@gilbertrios5283]

@@scslre a v6 is not a v8 that's what I'm saying.

[@scslre]

@@gilbertrios5283 no one said it was. they likened the knife to a "powerful v6". there's no oxymoron here.

[@bryanstone654]

Nick how about Dragonfly versus Three Rivers Nomad?

[@MobiuSphere]

It was the easier one-handed operation and overall durability of the blade that made the choice for me

[@artemkanarchist]

I got both and I regret nothing

[@blitzbbffl]

I really prefer the compression lock over any back lock, and also prefer G10 over FRN scales...but don't own any ZDP189 knives and am drawn to try it out...hmmmm.

[@tonyhutton5889]

I wouldn't buy either if the Dragon Fly is VG-10, which leads me to the next issue, Spyderco are starting Out Price Themselves and are no longer looking like Value for the Money ... !!

[@alexanderbinz7380]

did you have a stroke

[@Demanufactur3]

They were never inexpensive here. I managed to get a Dragonfly vg-10 for about 80 euros. They usually go for 120 here.

[@jeffreymliss]

I just can't agree with you. But everyone is entitled to their opinion.

[@djmay5588]

Buy byrd than..

[@visiblemode]

I find it so confusing when people say that backlocks are difficult to close one-handed. It’s really simple, imo. I know that’s not your point, here, Nick, but it does seem to persist as a generally accepted idea.

[@jamesmin2837]

visiblemode It is not about easy to close or hard to close--it is about EASIER to close. This channel splits hair all the time. Nick critiques knives at a very detailed level, on things that vast majority of the knife users will not complain or know about.

[@visiblemode]

James Min yeah, I get that. I’ve watched a lot of his videos. I still find it really easy to close and don’t really see the distinction, except when comparing it to something extraordinarily one-handed shut oriented like an Axis Lock. I find when compared to a liner lock, for example, there is no added difficulty using a back lock one-handed. Subjective, I know, that said, isn’t everything?

[@tamashorvath7954]

Didnt you mention somewhere that the lil native has better ergos? That can also be really important for some. (eg. i hated the df2's egros)

[@andyrichardson6188]

I don't love the ergos of it either. But the blade is fantastic. Chaparral is better in the hand and has similar blade. Larger, however.

[@BMXfreak92]

What do you think about German Laws. Any kind of knife which you can operate with one hand is illegal ugh

[@davidmclaren7147]

I think you should do everything you can to reverse the tide of stupidity in your politics. (Yes I do see the irony in an American saying that)

[@7851A9]

Love the Dragonfly. Thanks for the video.

[@RutgerMulder]

Spyderco needs to make the (lil) native with thinner blades.

[@andyrichardson6188]

Take a look at the Cat, 'Lil Lum, Vrango, and Urban.

[@troubletyme5561]

The lil native is better. Straight up

[@davidno1minton997]

Cool

[@gilbertrios5283]

My para 3 leaves me not wanting 😁

[@Pew7070]

Yup. Same opinion. Same keeper. Will never need a Lil’ Native.

[@aptknifethrowerguy8342]

cant put the lil native on a keychain.....stupid but when stopped by police a knife on a keychain is looked at the same way

[@toddstamos89]

I guess I don’t understand. Yes, the dragonfly is a little smaller and a little more lightweight. But is that really an advantage? When you’re talking about two knives that are this small and this lightweight, in my opinion the answer is no. The advantages of the dragonfly, while on paper are there, in reality they are either imperceptible or minimal at best. Second, if you cut miles of cardboard the yes, the thinner blade on the dragonfly is better (although it’ll have to be sharpened more often). But most people aren’t going to be cutting miles of cardboard. That seems like a niche use if you do. Bottom line, the lil native, for all intents and purposes, carries just as easy, handles everyday tasks for a blade that size just as well, has better ergonomics, has to be sharpened less, has a better locking system and has better quality grips material and steel. It’s like the difference between a Ford Focus and a Ford Fusion. Both do the same thing reliably, but the Fusion is just a little nicer. Not Mercedes nice, but just a little nicer and better quality. That’s the lil native.

[@kundetjenesten]

Was looking at both today, and the lil native was more expensive than the manix 2 at my local store. Twice the price of the df2. Considering that, and the size, it'd better be able to bring me coffee in bed!

[@jwalz_5737]

Lil native vs para3 Please

[@StraitClownin909]

Ohh yeah that would be really good comparison. They have the same steel, beefy construction, g10 and pressure lock. Lil native is just smaller

[@robertbatey9153]

I am not going to count how many times you said "LIttle Native". I promise I won't .

[@joemoney7640]

Okay bugs bunny 🐰

[@izayus11]

3 tears ago and Vg10 was already a nice budget steel.

[@finnmcool2]

Asking if the lock on a knife is strong enough is the universe's way of telling you that you have the wrong knife. No lock makes a pocket knife into a fixed blade knife.

[@linkstale]

I got a $5 knife that works great ez worth

[@jamesmin2837]

First!! I cannot believe it

[@Pew7070]

James Min You da man! 😜🤣🤣🤣