Spyderco Dragonfly Minutia

Admittedly this is probably more information than anybody other than a die-hard crazy Dragonfly fan is going to want to know. But it might prove a handy reference for some folks.
Much of the Info is from the online resource "SpydieWiki" ( www.spydiewiki... )
Below are some of tidbits covered in this episode of Dragonfly Minutia
The Dragonfly was the first Spyderco with the 50/50 finger choil
Introduced 1994 it was marketed as Little big guys knife
Production has been in Siki City Japan. It was one of the first Spyderco knives with the FRN handles in the "Light Weight ClipIt" series. It has remained in continuous production since it first release.
C28BK Dragonfly 1st Gen
Features:
FRN handle (Typically Black)
Volcano Grip on show side
Right hand tip up carry patented Integral grip
(some later designs use the patented RH/TU steel clip)
No jmping on the blade or spine
C28BK - Dragonfly (Black FRN Clipit Lightweight)
94-95 Gin-1/G2 Stainless
Narrow blade, hollow ground clip begins after hole
1996: AUS 8 blade steel is introduced
Overall length:
94-2000: 137 mm - 5 3/8 in.
2001 - Present (2022) : 138 mm - 5 7/16 in.
2004: Boye Dent first appears on the Dragonfly
2006 bug appears on blade (Bug is not present on H1 models)
1997- Dragonfly 1st Gen stainless steel version introduced
Number: CX05/C28 first appears with GIN-1 /G2 steel blade
1997, Patented Steel Clip appears on Stianless Steel Dragonfly.
1998- C28 in stainless switches to ATS-55 for blade steel
2008- C28 becomes C28S Switches to VG-10 blade steel
C28T Tattoo first released Dec. 2009.
(An early etched C28PET came ou2007/08. I do not believe this to be a Tattoo)
Late 2010
C28BK2 Dragonfly 2 (Gen 2) introduced.
Stainless Steel Dragonfly (1st Gen) remain in production.
Primary difference between the Gen 1 and Gen 2 Dragonfly include:
VG-10 steel, full flat
Jimping on finger choil, FRN spine, and thumb ramp
Dual position Wire clip
Torque screw instead of pinned construction.
O/A: 141 mm - 5 9/16
Blade: 57mm - 2 1/4
Dragonflies currently in my collection.
C28BK
AUS8, No Boye Dent
C28BK
AUS8, with Boye Dent, no Bug
C28YSL2
H-1 yellow mid 2011
WoodKit1 (2012)
Dragonfly wood kit in tin box
C28ZFGR2
Zome Green June, 2017 (no SG initials)
C28SYL2HB
Hawkbill, Sep 2017
(2021 purchase, Black pivot, wire clip, SG initials)
C28T
Dragonfly Tattoo, 2021 release
(SG initials)
C28BKGITD2
Cutlery Shoppe exclusive, VG10, Glows in the Dark
Purchased 2021 (SG Initials)

[@JollyPeanut]

The Dragonfly is that handy size that I would carry as a second knife but it would end up doing most of the work,,, love the History , Great video.Thanks DG 👍

[@WilliamsKnifeLife]

Great information Tobias. Anyone who likes pocket clips on knives can thank Spyderco for that.

[@RJsKnives]

Very informative as usual! Really nice deep dive on the Dragonfly. What I like about Spyderco is how innovative they have been over the years and they give you a great variety of steels to try. Great video!

[@davidkurle5418]

This was the most information I've ever seen at one time about the dragonfly, and it was awesome to hear. I'm surprised Skip hasn't named a cocktail after that knife yet. lol Cheers, buddy.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

David, the Dragonfly is Gin And Ginger-ale over ice with lime wedge. 1 1/2 oz of Gin 4 oz of Ginger ale 1 of lime In a highball glass almost filled with ice cubes, combine the gin and ginger ale. Stir well. Garnish with the lime wedge.

[@gmanpomp]

I love carrying the Dragonfly Salt - blade edge does need touched up fairly often but can be done quickly so no big deal. Almost don’t know its in your pocket. Ladybug serrated salt very handy too. Thanks for the informative video!

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I’m working on video about the Salt and it’s H1 steel.

[@jeroenvoss6231]

Thank you for the history of the dragonfly. Seeing different production years next to eachother makes the tiny differences clearer, which you otherwise wouldn't have noticed on first sight.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Thanks. As I started looking into the minor differences it made me start looking for even more from different time periods. I’m not necessarily trying to get one of everyone ever made. I have no desire to start chasing sprint runs. But I am interested in how the knife changed over time.

[@jeroenvoss6231]

@@KnifeChatswithTobias I must say that most changes were indeed improvements. screws instead of rivots, the Boye dent and the wireclip is much better then the previous clip models. It was very nice to see where they came from and where they are going, well the future is stil open ofcourse. Thank you again for a very nice video Tobias.

[@swamp.stomper]

That glower is so nice! Thanks again for being so generous with all of your historical knowledge and presenting it in such a pleasant and digestible way

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

My pleasure. Glad you like it. Thanks also for dropping by and leaving your thoughts!

[@cplively]

Nice video! The Dragonfly is a fantastic knife.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I am definitely enamored by the knife. I've been carrying it for years now.

[@davidlocke1668]

Ordered my first Spyderco today, an orange Dragonfly 2. Thank you for this video!

[@slick_slicers]

That was great thank you! Maybe I’m weird, but that’s the sort of detailing in to. I need to do something similar for the Ladybug, but I need to get a few more first. I’ve one early one, which might well be difficult to find these days.

[@danc2651]

Thank you for the vidéo very informative . The spyderco delica 4 and spyderco dragonfly 2 are my favorite edc knives by far ... merci beaucoup ✌️

[@vinylwood]

Awesome Dragon Fly collection. Very impressed. I have 3 one is the Salt but actually 5 if u add my daughter’s. Want couple more still. Great knife.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Thank you! I bought the first one almost 3 years ago. It has been in my pocket practically everyday ever since. And then a few months ago I got the Tattoo and the flood gates opened !

[@paddyspotatopeelers2154]

Pretty comprehensive collection there old fella. Enjoyed your research. Atb paddy 👍

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Thanks, Paddy. As I've said, a couple times. I doubt that I'm a Spyderco Fan Boy but I am a Dragonfly Fan Boy!

[@sublyme2157]

Loved the history lesson, thanks man!

[@colchesterritter8992]

If you want a wire clip on a Byrd and don't mind a slip joint, I recommend the Tern; great little knife.

[@gregedwards1921]

I have a Kershaw Shuffle and I can't help but seeing similarities

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I too have a Shuffle. It's actually my second one. I gave the first one away and immediately regretted it and bought another. LOL.

[@dixierekt2407]

The new salts all have coated hardware so they don't rust. They even replaced the steel detent balls with ceramic ones on salt knives with detent balls.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Thanks for the info. I really need to revisit my Dragonflies. I still carry one everyday!

[@propblast82nd]

The Manix 2 LW is one of my beater knives .

[@craigwilson5268]

I have a stainless copilot serrated hollow ground both sides marked Spyderco ats-55 and semi-city Japan. Would this be similar to the dragon fly seem to be similar size?

[@gizmocarr3093]

When it comes to plastic handle knives; I bought them to use and really never thought of them as collection pieces. I did buy extras; thinking that the models I liked would be phase out and you couldn’t get another. Plastic handle knives provide one thing all others don’t; they are plain and ugly when you buy them and 30 years of carrying the same one after being dropped, thrown and used; still looks about the same as it did when you bought them. You can’t say that about any other knife. One hand opening is cool but; if you don’t need too; why do it. Plastic pocket clips are better than metal ones and less annoying using the knife. Because; if I can take them off that is the first thing I do. The ones with fewer parts are my favorite. Two pins and no screws make a lighter knife. Extra metal handles and parts just make more problems than needed. If you don’t wear it out playing with it or lose it; they last a long time. It is fun to see and learn about the history of how a plastic locking folding knife is such a great simple design. That is what I like most about watching your videos; you always learn something you didn’t know before. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with others. ✨😺✨

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I try to be as precise as possible with the plastics. FRN is not really plastic in the sense that most people think of plastic. Part of the reason being it is Nylon and then obviously Fiberglass has been added to it for strength. Nylon is just one type of plastic and then there are numerous types nylon. Celluloids, acrylic, ABS, Polypropylene, FRN, G10, Zytel, Valox, Delrin, etc. All different plastics used in knife handles. To me, it’s important to be as detailed as possible. I wish Spyderco would specify what FRN they use. I know that Japan is a leader in the development of FRN but it would still be nice to know which grade of FRN is being used. I guess I sound a bit like a plastic snob but that’s really not the case. Whatever they are using, more than gets the job done. It’s just a curiosity thing.

[@gizmocarr3093]

@@KnifeChatswithTobias DuPont™ Zytel® fiberglass-filled nylon was a brand name for their product. Most others are similar or actually Zytel but; didn’t market it in their description; I would guess so as not pay for the name. But; plastic and nylon are somewhat related. Fiber glass is a PPG brand and used for all types of fiberglass products just is not mention in product descriptions either. You are correct about the material brands not being plastic but nylon. Plastic is a general term with many levels of types and quality. But; dummies like me see a Synthetic and think plastic. 😂🍻 Sorry my mistake.👍

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

@@gizmocarr3093 , all good points, Gizmo. And no actual mistake. As I said, I'm just more anal about it, primarily as I don't want to be nit-picked by a viewer for be to general. It is interesting to note, that Spyderco, uses the term "FRN" but FRN and FRP seem to be interchangable by the folks who make the stuff (FR Nylon, FR Plastic)

[@atl17isfast]

Manix 2 is a nice knife, I have the light weight and G10 blacked out version. Recommend both.

[@janetowens7288]

Spydercos always remind me of Spy vs. Spy from Mad Magazine.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I can see the resemblance!

[@willtrax71]

This was a good video and I can appreciate the value and usefulness of a quality Knife and definitely having multiple. Does the newer Dragonfly 2 have bronze or Teflon Blade washers? I’m looking at the K390 model but it’s a little pricey but still doable for Spyderco quality. Stay safe my Friend Semper Fidelis

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I do not know about the washers. I will see if I can find out.

[@nightoil6567]

I have the K390 model. Got it exactly two years ago now. A truly spectacular steel. Extreme wear resistance. Holds a 30 degree edge no problem at all. (And is a tough job to reprofile / sharpen.) Sets the FRN handle off in a different light - becomes simply a hard-wearing support for the blade, which is a beautiful artifact in its own right. Very imaginative of Spyderco to offer this steel in a knife this small. Although K390 isn't stainless, it hasn't rusted as such but acquires an uneven (and permanent) patina depending on what has attacked it and where. I see the patina as a bonus. I've had it apart several times and, no, it has no washers at all. Just steel on FRN. But it works absolutely fine - has actually become almost dropshutty (with a wrist flick) after breaking in. Great video by the way, Tobias. Must have taken a lot of work to gather all that info and collect all those versions. I love detailed histories! And the outro is nice, a recapitulation of what you covered.

[@piperkennard1039]

Awesome spyderco 💯👌

[@OneMinuteKnifeReview]

Nice. Only have the green one. Thanks

[@Probablyshouldnthave]

you would like the chaparral lightweight and sun and moon which is the ultimate if you love the dragonfly

[@williamhollar7844]

Which one do you carry the most

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I carry the Zome Green almost daily. I use the hawkbill around the house for opening boxes and cutting rope and rubber tubing. The Tattoo is carried on special occasions. I have a couple more now. I need to update this video.

[@williamhollar7844]

@@KnifeChatswithTobias cool I carry a H1 plain edge almost everywhere

[@ronaldroberts8515]

Thanx Tobias for the video as the Dragonfly is one of my favorites as well the chaparral. I have a bunch but want to pick up the tattoo but the bills come first. My top one green g10 with liners that I got couple years ago but there lil more than tattoo. Take it easy.

[@richardbridges7962]

I have long, slim fingers, smaller knives work ok. Also, 5th pockets are a lot bigger nowadays, I cant believe some of the knives I can fit.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

So true about the larger 5th pockets these days. I habitually carry a medium toothpick and the dragonfly in the same 5th pocket on my jeans.

[@Zen_Ali_123]

Well, that bout covers it 👍👍

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Next up, H1, the misunderstood super steel and then Byrd Robin vs Dragonfly! I'm far from done! However, most folks are probably rolling their eyes and shouting "Enough Already!"

[@del-marmare1646]

Excellent

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Thanks, glad you like it.

[@robthompson8285]

Cpm Spy27 is literally just VG10 done the Crucible way.

[@matthewrix2164]

I don’t understand the need for pocket clips or why the average law abiding joe would carry a weapon like this. A canoe, standard Barlow or opinel in my back pocket does it all for me and I use a knife daily in my work - a lot.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I'd be hard pressed to consider the Dragonfly a "weapon" Sometimes it is handy to be able to easily open and close a knife with one hand.

[@matthewrix2164]

@@KnifeChatswithTobias I can do that with all three that I mentioned if they don’t have swedges - bit of a dexterous technique I have developed.

[@andyhayward1261]

Lol. Weapon smh. 99.9999 % of ppl carrying knives like these are not carrying them as weapons but as tools. I use mine at work to cut open bags and zip ties or to cut up my fruit at lunch time. I can’t stand how people have been conditioned to see knives as weapons…