Let’s have a look on one of Spyderco’s more common models of the “little-big-knife” line. Disregarded by the most collectors but very popular to most users: The C28 Dragonfly.

The Dragonfly was first introduced in 1994. This years catalog did not say much about the new design although it had one thing that was remarkable: It was the first Spyderco knife ever to feature a 50/50 finger-choil.

Just as many other Spyderco knives, the Dragonfly also went through some changes. It was produced in a total of 13 slightly different variations if you count all 3 handle materials together. Considering that it was always available with a plain or fully serrated edge (except the C28ET), that makes a total of 25 knives to get a complete set.

Quite a lot indeed! Only subtle changes were done to this model throughout the years so most likely the majority of customers didn’t notice any changes at all after the 1996 version was presented. Now let’s start exploring the past and see why there are so many different ones although they all look basically the same.

The 1994 model

The “original” Dragonfly was the 1994 model. This is the one which started it all. Basically it featured everything that the C28 of nowadays also does: A handle made of FRN with Spyderco’s volcano texture, a front lock. Only the blade was different.

The blade of this first generation Dragonfly model was a lot narrower than the one found on today’s version, featured a hollow grind and was made of G-2. One thing that was also different is the molded integral pocket clip. On the early version of this model the clip looks a little bit different than the one of today. The newer clip is designed to go all the way back to the end of the handle, so that it blends into the shape of it when you look at the spine or the clip side of the knife. On the 1994 version this was not the case. As this is a bit difficult to describe, please take a look at the enclosed picture below. This should clarify what I mean.

The 1996 model

The first thing that was changed at that this model was the shape of the blade. Compared to its predecessor, the blade of the ´96 model became much wider and a gentle swedge was added to the spine too. In my opinion the term „leaf shaped” is much more fitting than „modified drop point” which is also often used to describe it. But not only the shape changed, the thumb rest also became larger and the grind changed too. From 1996 on, the blades of the Dragonfly models were flat ground instead of hollow. The position of the opening hole also changed a little bit (5 mm away from the handle and 5 mm towards the pivot) to make it easier to open. Both, the change of the position of the hole as well as the wider blade resulted in a much more ergonomical knife. If you try to open the older model and the newer model one after another, you can definitely notice that the knife with the wider blade opens a lot smoother and easier than the 1994 version. Also the bigger thumb rest provides a much better grip than the shallow indent of the ´94 model.

Besides the change of the bladeshape, the steel was also upgraded. Now the FRN model featured an AUS-8 blade. Not to forget the change of the clip design that I already mentioned above. After this changes, the Dragonfly of 1996 almost looked like the model that is sold today.

1997 – Two new versions enter the stage

As another change an all stainless steel model hit the market in 1997, so from now on customers were able to decide if they preferred the lightweight FRN version or the much heftier SS version. A short time the SKU „CX05″ was assigned to the model but it didn’t take long to be switched to „C28″.

The new SS model featured a GIN-1 blade in either P or S. So basically the same steel came to use that also could be found on the ´94 FRN Dragonfly as GIN-1 and G-2 are the same steel only bearing a different name. The 1997 Dragonfly also looked a lot like the today’s version because there were just some little things that were changed to get to the model of the present.

A variant with a carbon fiber handle (also containing a single steel liner) was also introduced in 1997 which featured an ATS-55 blade. The catalog only mentions that it was produced in „limited quantities”, which most likely means something between 1000 and 1500 pieces. That makes it quite collectible just like the other knives featuring CF handles from Spyderco.

The MSRP for the CF version was USD 129,95. A more real world information that I found was that a Japanese shop still sold them in 2003 for JPY 8.100 which equals to approximately USD 70 today. The CF handled Dragonfly could be bought in P or S just like the FRN or SS knives, but it is the only version that featured a tip-down clip.

It was quite some time around for a limited run because the CF Dragonfly became discontinued some time between 1999 and 2000. Considering current sprint runs, a couple of years seem like ages.

The exact year when the CF Dragonfly was discontinued is also difficult to determine. At least it is not mentioned anymore in the 2000 catalog and unfortunately I do not have one from 1999 at hand, but an internet-research also led to the result that it must have been between 1999 and 2000. If anyone has more detailed information about that, please correct me if I am wrong. Just one thing is definitive: It was still in production in 1998 because it was advertised in this year’s catalog.

1998 & 1999 – Years of only minor changes

In general no dramatic changes to the model were done back then. Only the steel of the SS version was upgraded in 1998 from GIN-1 to ATS-55. The new MSRP for the FRN version was USD 59,95 – twenty Dollars more than the „first generation” Dragonfly. Surprisingly the price dropped again in the consecutive year but only 3 Dollars so the price can also be considered as quite constant.

In my opinion the lack of major changes through this years prove that the model was well accepted by the audience just the way it was. Also the changes of the upcoming years until today would be an argument for this conclusion in my opinion. because no more really severe changes where about to come until today.

2000/2001 – Everything stays the same – well, more or less

Taking a close look at the 2001 catalog reveals a very subtle change to the model. While in the years before the length of the blade was given with 2 1/8 inches or 55 mm it is now described with a length of 2 5/16 inches or 58 mm. So actually the blade of the 2001 model should be 3 mm longer than the former models. The confusing thing about that is that in the 2000 catalog the measurement is described with „2 1/8″ 58mm”. So actually it’s impossible to say wether Spyderco gave away their plans one year early to make the blade a little bit longer or if the 2 1/8″ in the catalog from 2000 is nothing more than a typo. Anyway, as the 58 mm combined with the right measurement in inches first appears in the 2001 catalog, I lean towards to give this year credit of the longer blade.

Also a very slight change was done to the overall length of both the SS and FRN version. Before 2001 the length was 5 3/8 inches or 137 mm. In 2001 the catalog lists both models with an overall length of 5 7/16″ or 138 mm. The change of the length brought with it, that the SS version became a little bit more heavy. In 2001 it is listed with a weight of 2,6 oz. / 73g instead of the old 2,25 oz. / 53 g.

Now we are very close to the version that is sold today. We are just two minor changes and four years away from it.

2004 – Dent or indent?

Two years ago, in 2004, another small change to the model was done. This was the change that converted the 2000/2001 model into the one that is still sold today (well, almost). It is almost not noticeable if you don’t look close. Namely it’s just a small indent on the locking lever known as the „David Boye Dent”. According to the glossary that can be found on Spyderco’s homepage, the Boye Dent should remove the „possibility of gripping the handle hard enough to depress the lock and accidentally unlock the blade while using the knife.”

Although the Boye Dent was added in 2004 it can’t be seen in the catalog of this year. This might be because it was either added some time during 2004 or Spyderco came up with the idea to add it after the catalog was already printed in winter 2003. Anyway, I have a 2004 Dragonfly that already has the Boye dent but in the catalogs it only can be seen this way from 2005 on.

2006 – Bugging the blades…

Only one minor thing was changed this year. Actually it would be better to say that something was added: From now on both of the Dragonfly versions bear a small laser engraved „Spyderbug” on their blades just like the ones that can be found on other current models. This was the last change so far. At least until now, as Mr. Glesser asked for input about an upcoming major change to the model on a couple forums just recently, so it will most likely look a little bit different again in the near future.

Everything else stayed the same so far: shapes, materials, clips, edge configurations etc. Only the MSRP changed a little compared to the former years. The most recent catalog from Spyderco (2006) shows a MSRP of USD 49.95 for the FRN version and USD 64.95 for the SS version.

2007 – It proves that the story is not yet finished…

This year, Sypderco came up with something of which I think that it is a major improvement: acid etched handles for a couple of models. The Dragonfly is also sold with that handle option at the moment. Basically the knife is the regular 2006 SS Dragonfly model (with the bug on the blade) but when you look closer, you’ll notice one big difference very soon: the steel. While the “regular” Dragonfly still sports an ATS-55 blade, the C28ET was updated with VG-10 but it is only available in PE. This fact and the etching on the handle are also mirrored in the MSRP of the knife. While the “regular” SS Dragonfly is listed with a MSRP of USD 67.95 in this years Spydreco catalog, the C28ET has a MSRP of USD 89.95

The fun starts when you look at the catalog descriptions of these knives. As I just said – basically the SS and the ET version should be the same knife with different handle finishes but if you compare the data of both models you’ll notice the following:

The length oth the ET’s blade is 1 mm longer than the regular SS model. Also the overall length is 2 mm longer (SS: overall 5 7/16″ or 138mm | ET: overall 5 1/2″ or 140 mm). Interestingly the length of the cutting edge on both models is the same. The maybe funniest thing is that the ET is with its 74 g heavier (+1 g) than the regular SS model. I always thought that etching material away would make it lighter

2008 – There’s still room for improvements

The new year was only a couple of hours old when Spyderco presented the 2008 catalog on their website, which was a surprise in many ways. One of the less surprising things is that were are again changes made to the Dragonfly:

Firstly, the FRN and regular SS version feature VG-10 blades instead of AUS-8 and ATS-55 just like the C28ET that hit the market the year before. This is actually no big surprise as there were some rumors that Spyderco might change this model to VG-10 and when some people who ordered a Dragonfly at the end of 2007 got ones with VG-10 blades, it was obvious that this change would come for this year.

Secondly, and this really puzzled me, it appears that there was a minor change to the C28ET. More precisely, the closed length of the knife changed in the catalog. While all other measurements remained the same as last year. First I thought this might be because of rounding the converted measurement in inches up or down but the old length of 3 3/16″ converts exactly to 80.9625 mm and the new measurement of 3 7/32″ converts to 81.75625 mm, so the 81 and 82 mm given in the catalogs seem to accurate. I only wonder what the reason for such changes might be…

Thirdly, the prices of all three models went up considerably. The FRN version now has an MSRP of USD 59.95, the SS version is priced with USD 74.95 and the etched version with USD 94.95. Partly the rising prices might be because of the change to VG-10 which is indeed more expensive than AUS-8 for example. On the other hand I’ve noticed, that in general Spyderco’s prices went up (depending on the model) in a range between USD 4 and USD 20, so I think the change to a better steel can’t be blamed for the rising prices in this case.

Additional to the small changes to the regular models, there is a sprint-run of the Dragonfly in 2008. This P only version (C28PWH) features a white FRN handle. The MSRP is the same as for the C28BK (USD 59.95).

2009 – Two new models hits the market

Not really unexpected a new G-10 version of the Dragonfly hit the market in 2009. Many people requested such a version version of the C28, there were after market customizations and finally there is a regular model with G-10 handle and VG-10 blade. Generally not much has changed. The shape stayed the same but the new model has a wire-clip like many other Spyderco models with G-10 handles already have. At the moment the G-10 DF is offered with a foliage green handle and PE only for a MSRP of USD 129.95.

Late in 2009 another new model was released – the C28PT Dragonfly Tattoo! It basically is a regular SS C28 but this model features a beautiful multicoloured etching of a Dragonfly (the insect, not the knife) and some grass. A true beauty, priced with $ 99.95 MSRP.

As for the other regular variations, the FRN and SS version, the prices rised again compared to last year. The FRN version now has a MSRP of USD 69.95 and the SS version a MSRP of USD 84.95. So both models went up by 10 Dollars compared to 2008.

Aftermarket versions

Although I have covered all of the regular versions, there are still a couple left that did never appear in the catalogs. The difficulty with them is that when you do a research on the internet, you’ll only find out that they exist but not much more.

I am primarily talking about the engraved SS Dragonfly’s. There are three versions out there which are decorated with a spider web and the bug-logo of Spyderco. One has the left side (non clip side) of the handle covered with the web plus the blade. When the knife is opened the pattern of the handle matches up with the one on the blade.

Another one has the web and bug only on the left side of the handle but it shows the word “DRAGONFLY” on the clipside. The Third one is just the same but without the lettering on the clipside.

As far as I know, these were all aftermarket jobs done by Spyderco themselves on request. Interestingly information about these models is scarce. Neither the exact models (concerning the year of production) could be determined nor who exactly ordered these aftermarket jobs.

For sure one of them was ordered by Linda Glasshart (a former member of the spyderco.com-Forum) in late 2002 and was sold over the forum for USD 55 by her. These had the design with the web extending on the blade. Unfortunately I could not find any information about the other two web-engraved versions.

It also came to my attention that there are some SS Dragonfly’s around that have a black coating all over. This is most definitively an aftermarket job but just like the others no more information other than that they exist is available. If I would be forced to guess who did it, I would bet that it was J. F. Jensen because of the other coated models he sold. But again it’s just a guess and additional information would be welcome as well as needed.

Santa Fe Stoneworks also did some customizing jobs on Dragonfly’s with overlays of stone or wood. These exist in a variety of designs and retail for prices between USD 160 and USD 200.

All regular models in a heartbeat

Click on the image and you will be taken to a PDF with all the data of this article (allso printable). Significant changes are marked green. Missing years in between indicate periods of no changes. Grey fields indicate that the data was neither in the catalog, nor could it be taken from the particular knife directly. You need to have Adobe’s Acrobat Reader (can be downloaded for free from Adobe) or similar software installed.

Cheers, Rob

Jul ‘06 / partially revised: Oct ‘07, Nov ‘07, Jan ‘08, Nov/Dec ‘09