Pocket knives at work are limited to 2 1/2 inch maximum blade length. I’m looking at the Spyderco Dragonfly 2. Any others you can recommend. My budget is up to $100.

Kershaw Launch 4

Spyderco Lil’ Native

My bad the Lil Native is a hair over your price. Good little knife though. I thought it was cheaper but it’s 117.00

This may not be the approach you were looking for, but this is what I did.

I bought a Spyderco Delica, since they're my favorite pocket knives. I then sent it to Northern Knives and had them reprofile it to a Wharncliffe pattern, which shortened the blade to just under 2.5". It was a quick turnaround, less than 2 weeks. The work was $25+shipping. You could buy a used Delica, send it in, and be well under your $100 limit. If you shop around, you could probably get a new Delica and have it modified for close to your $100 budget. If you happen to have a Delica, well, that'd be even cheaper.

Here's a pic of the result (I was very pleased, FYI)...



And here's a link to the order page for this option (FYI, that's my knife on the web page...I think it's actually a better picture than mine)...

https://www.northernknives.com...ification-p128903745

The really nice thing I like about it is that it's a short blade, but with a full-size handle. Plus, I think the Wharncliffe profile adds a bit of strength to the point. I like it so much I'm seriously considering sending in my other Delicas.

FYI, I was originally going to get the Kahr/Delica 2.5" model, but they've been discontinued. I checked online sources, and buying a regular Delica and having it modified was noticeably cheaper than the prices I was finding for the Kahr, typically around $140-150 last time I checked.

CRKT Pilar: 2.4". Stout & sturdy. Love mine.


https://www.crkt.com/pilar.html

Have a Dragonfly 2 Salt. It's also a great choice.

Spyderco Chicago G10.

Bruce

quote:

Originally posted by cslinger:
Spyderco Lil’ Native

My bad the Lil Native is a hair over your price. Good little knife though. I thought it was cheaper but it’s 117.00

If the OP can find one for his $100 limit, I totally agree on this.
I picked one up about a month ago, also for carry at work, and love it!
Have grown quite fond of their compression lock, and can appreciate it's much safer design versus a liner lock.

Several good recommendations to consider. I’m intrigued by the Spyderco Chicago, however, I guess I don’t want to give up the additional 1/2 inch I’m allowed. I think I’m leaning now toward the lil’ Native right now. Although the Dragonfly salt is a close 2nd. Also if I go with the lil native, I really like the black blade. Does this finish scratch bad?

I had the same requirement a year ago, when I was travelling to Europe. The country in which I'd be staying has a 3" limit, and I wanted to stay well under that. I also wanted something that, if it was confiscated for any reason, or stolen out of my checked luggage, wouldn't make me cry.

I ended-up selecting a Spyderco CAT G-10 Black. Street price is around $50.

One of my brothers-in-law was so impressed with it he embarked on a search to buy one for himself. I heard about that and gifted it do him when we left. He regularly tells my wife how much he loves that knife . I liked it so much I bought myself another when I got home.

I love my Dragon Fly II. Works like a bigger knife to me. Someday I hope to find my original dragonfly in my crawlspace where it's been lost for two years.

I really gotta say; I LOVE my G-10 Dragonfly II. It really is one of my favorite knives. Fantastic design, and very certainly works like a bigger knife. For what it's worth, I wear an XL size glove and I love the way the dragonfly feels in my hand. It is nearly a perfect 'small' knife.

The Dragonfly is about my favorite small knife.

I vote Dragonfly 2. Great knife. The wharncliffe version is on my short list.