I’ve never found a keychain knife I was comfortable with. My 5th pocket knife before DF2 was a Gerber LST. The DF2 is superior in every way. I’ve compared the DF2 to other small knives, including Civivi Baby Banter, Vosteed Raccoon Cub, and a couple others. Each had advantages. But in the end, I still prefer the DF2. I would like it with G10 scales, but it doesn’t matter. If I need to do heavier cutting for more than just a couple minutes, I’d prefer a larger knife. But I can carry the DF2 all the time in my 5th pocket. Can’t do that with a larger knife.
I like it but don’t use it that much. It is mainly the sharp ramp that turns me off. For small/short cutting tasks it is ok. Not that I ever needed to do and larger/prolonged cutting tasks with it but…can’t rule it out!🤣 In its category I think that the Robin has better ergonomics however they both fall behind the Baby Banter. But that is just me. I realise that different people have different ways of cutting and holding a knife. I hardly keep knives in the 5th pocket. I tried and will keep trying. For me breaking a knife is not a thing i worry about. At least I learn something. But losing a knife…devastating!
Yes....some of their budget knives have decent grinds. Best grind I got so far was on my K390 Endela. Got it recently....but it is not without some qc issues....
I've tried the liners+G10 Dragonfly and the liners+G10 Robin back to back, and the Robin is way more comfortable and secure in hand (and so much cheaper).
Cool video. I use the Dragonfly 2 Salt with H1 steel for cutting cardboard boxes and such, and it does a very nice job (I rounded the top "beak" a bit for comfort), though my newest EDC is the serrated Manbug Salt in H2 steel (I only have 2 serrated knives in my collection), as it is even smaller than the Dragonfly, and has a sheepsfoot blade, thus is less threatening to people, if I'm getting it out of the pocket BTW did you mod the Caribbean handles?
I dyed the scales on the Caribbean to a dark red. I like them much more now. I never liked serrations on knives. So I started testing serrations vs fine edges. I learned to sharpen serrations. I can't say i like serrations now...but i like to sharpen them and play around with them. For small knives, and salt knives...they could make sense.
Byrd are good knives and a good budget price. I still prefer the regular Spyderco's like the Tenacious and Resilience but I like bigger knives. If you try some other brands can you review one from CJRB in AR RPM9 steel. I'm curious to see how you like that particular steel.
I never tried CJRB. Wanted at one point but never got around to it. I assume their steel will be similar to most in that class. I think that cutting geometry is much more important than the steel. I liked the Pirite but, ike I said, never got around to it
@@SpartanJohns The Resource is my favorite one from them because I like large folders and the blade is 4.15in. full flat grind and for $70 it's rock solid
My favorite is the Wharncliffe blade. The shape changes how I use it, and most of the time, it’s better for me. Mine happens to have K390, which only means I don’t have to sharpen it as often.
That is true. The bladeshape can change how you use it and how you hold it. K390 has a lot of advantages. I thinned the blade in my Manbug k390 as much as i could. A full height convex with about a 7-8 dps. I did quite a lot if abusive cutting with it. Dry hard wood and hard plastics. Never any damage. Can’t really put so much force into the cutting as with a larger knife but still impressive. So…very stable at low thicknesses and edge angles. It can also hold an edge with a coarse and a finer edge finish. Also an advantage of this steel. But by far the biggest advantage of this steel, imo, is the fact that it is so “forgiving”. By that I mean that I can keep it sharp by stropping for months and never seen any chips or other damage due to fatigue. And because it is so hard I also did not notice a change in the edge angle. With other, softer steels, when I stropped them like I did my K390 Stretch 2 I noticed an increase in the edge angle after 7-8 days and the apex, while I managed to keep it very sharp, lost all cutting aggression. LC200N is the steel i am talking about
Nice comparisons- your channel is a reliable source for data based on use- not flash and unboxing- much appreciated
I appreciate that! All i want to do is share my experiences with knives. don't have any other agenda!
Welcome back . It is always a pleasure to see your videos.
thanks...glad you like the videos. Never really left and never intend to...just life...getting in the way...
I’ve never found a keychain knife I was comfortable with. My 5th pocket knife before DF2 was a Gerber LST. The DF2 is superior in every way.
I’ve compared the DF2 to other small knives, including Civivi Baby Banter, Vosteed Raccoon Cub, and a couple others. Each had advantages. But in the end, I still prefer the DF2.
I would like it with G10 scales, but it doesn’t matter. If I need to do heavier cutting for more than just a couple minutes, I’d prefer a larger knife. But I can carry the DF2 all the time in my 5th pocket. Can’t do that with a larger knife.
I like it but don’t use it that much. It is mainly the sharp ramp that turns me off. For small/short cutting tasks it is ok. Not that I ever needed to do and larger/prolonged cutting tasks with it but…can’t rule it out!🤣
In its category I think that the Robin has better ergonomics however they both fall behind the Baby Banter. But that is just me. I realise that different people have different ways of cutting and holding a knife.
I hardly keep knives in the 5th pocket. I tried and will keep trying. For me breaking a knife is not a thing i worry about. At least I learn something. But losing a knife…devastating!
Spyderco budget line has thinner grind than a lot of mainstream knives. Good cuters.
Yes....some of their budget knives have decent grinds. Best grind I got so far was on my K390 Endela. Got it recently....but it is not without some qc issues....
Welcome back
thanks! Never left....just life...getting in the way ...constantly
@@SpartanJohns I know what you mean
I've tried the liners+G10 Dragonfly and the liners+G10 Robin back to back, and the Robin is way more comfortable and secure in hand (and so much cheaper).
I agree that the byrd designs are much more ergonomic and for work knives…make more sense
Cool video. I use the Dragonfly 2 Salt with H1 steel for cutting cardboard boxes and such, and it does a very nice job (I rounded the top "beak" a bit for comfort), though my newest EDC is the serrated Manbug Salt in H2 steel (I only have 2 serrated knives in my collection), as it is even smaller than the Dragonfly, and has a sheepsfoot blade, thus is less threatening to people, if I'm getting it out of the pocket
BTW did you mod the Caribbean handles?
I dyed the scales on the Caribbean to a dark red. I like them much more now.
I never liked serrations on knives. So I started testing serrations vs fine edges. I learned to sharpen serrations. I can't say i like serrations now...but i like to sharpen them and play around with them.
For small knives, and salt knives...they could make sense.
Byrd are good knives and a good budget price. I still prefer the regular Spyderco's like the Tenacious and Resilience but I like bigger knives. If you try some other brands can you review one from CJRB in AR RPM9 steel. I'm curious to see how you like that particular steel.
I never tried CJRB. Wanted at one point but never got around to it. I assume their steel will be similar to most in that class. I think that cutting geometry is much more important than the steel. I liked the Pirite but, ike I said, never got around to it
@@SpartanJohns The Resource is my favorite one from them because I like large folders and the blade is 4.15in. full flat grind and for $70 it's rock solid
The Resource is a big one. I like big knives. When it comes to big solid knives i do prefer cold steel. Simply because of the tri-ad lock.
@@SpartanJohns I'm a die hard CS fan but the Resource is a solid blade
I have yet to try cjrb. Been adding and removing from the basket a lot lately!
the k390 version is way better.
The steel? Depends who you ask and what they need/use it for. As for the model…i can’t imagine that, besides the color, it would be any different
My favorite is the Wharncliffe blade. The shape changes how I use it, and most of the time, it’s better for me. Mine happens to have K390, which only means I don’t have to sharpen it as often.
That is true. The bladeshape can change how you use it and how you hold it. K390 has a lot of advantages. I thinned the blade in my Manbug k390 as much as i could. A full height convex with about a 7-8 dps. I did quite a lot if abusive cutting with it. Dry hard wood and hard plastics. Never any damage. Can’t really put so much force into the cutting as with a larger knife but still impressive. So…very stable at low thicknesses and edge angles. It can also hold an edge with a coarse and a finer edge finish. Also an advantage of this steel. But by far the biggest advantage of this steel, imo, is the fact that it is so “forgiving”. By that I mean that I can keep it sharp by stropping for months and never seen any chips or other damage due to fatigue. And because it is so hard I also did not notice a change in the edge angle. With other, softer steels, when I stropped them like I did my K390 Stretch 2 I noticed an increase in the edge angle after 7-8 days and the apex, while I managed to keep it very sharp, lost all cutting aggression. LC200N is the steel i am talking about