Spyderco Dragonfly G10 and Tattoo

Often as not a small knife is all that’s required and though I’m a fan of large/medium folders and fixed blades, Spyderco’s diminutive Dragonfly is more than up to most jobs you might ask of it. The design is not that new and has been on their catalogue for some time and now offers four versions. The original was all stainless (C28), then came the C28BK with fibreglass reinforced synthetic handles with Volcano-Grip, later came the foliage green C28G with G10 handles and latest and by far the prettiest is the Tattoo (C28T). It’s the last two I have here…

Serious Spear Point

At 5 ½” (open) it shows a 2 ¼” VG10 stainless, spear point blade with a flat ground, 1 7/8” cutting edge and 11mm thumb-opening hole. The thumb shelf and choil are jimped for added purchase allowing you to ‘choke-up’ on the hold if required. The frame is stainless with foliage green, checked G10 scales and locking is by a mid-positioned back lock with Dave Boye dent to negate accidental operation.

The grip is curved on the underside and allows a finger up front, two in the middle and one on the rear. Combined with the jimped choil and thumb shelf it locks into the hand securely and is useable in the edge-up position easily enough. A wire clothing clip is included, which gives a point-up carry and can be reversed from right to left. It also doubles as a money clip. At the rear is a lanyard hole.

Weighing a mere 2oz with a folded length of 3 3/16” this is a nice little tool and though perhaps perceived as a gentleman’s pocket knife it punches well above its weight. Plus its stainless/G10 build makes it easy to clean and very corrosion resistant. This model or the C28BK would seem the logical choices for general use.

Caught My Eye

Though I prefer the more practical approach offered by synthetic handles on a working folder, Spyderco have come up with something that combines the good features of the Dragonfly with a unique and appealing look. Called the Tattoo it’s essentially the all-stainless, standard C28, which has smooth sides with eye-catching, poly-chromatic dragonfly art picked out in red and gold and rushes in blue and green etched into the handle. I don’t normally do pretty… but with the C28T I make the rare exception.

In terms of features – lock, blade/handle shape etc. everything remains near identical, though the clothing clip is flat plate and not wire and also non-reversible. Plus there’s no jimping on the choil or thumb shelf. It is also marginally heavier at 2.6oz due to the one-piece, stainless handle layout. The grip is a tad smoother, which can be felt in the hands but purchase is enhanced by the clothing clip on one side and the etching on the other. The C28T is a must for Spyderco collectors and also as a unique gift too.

With options on plain or serrated edges, handle material and decoration, the Dragonfly is as good looking as it is effective for a small folder.

For: Small yet practical
Against: Not much
Verdict: A small folder that works