C28 Dragonfly
The C28 Dragonfly was introduced in 1994 and was the first Spyderco knife featuring a 50/50 forefinger-choil.
Appearance in catalogs
The C28 Dragonfly appeared in all Spyderco product catalogs since 1994.
These are the Spyderco Product Guides that feature the C28 Dragonfly, that can be viewed online at the Spyderco.com website:
- 2006 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2007 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2008 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2009 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2010 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2011 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2012 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2013 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2014 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2015 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2016 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2017 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2018 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2019 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2020 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2021 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2022 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2023 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2024 Spyderco Product Guide
Designer
Sal Glesser [1]
History, mentionings from the forums etc.
On the Spyderco forums:
- Review of SS Dragonfly by "vampyrewolf".
- Dragonfly S/S PE - review by "datan".
Information from the Spyderco catalog on the web
C28BK:
"Many of us buy small gentlemen's knives assuming we'll use them for undemanding cutting chores. While that is normally the case, the Dragonfly's diminutive size belies its cutting capabilities. When need be, it will cut and perform like a much larger folder because Spyderco's R&D team focused on creating a small but ergonomically superior package out of high-performance materials.
In order for the knife to feel like a larger knife in the hand, it needed well-designed ergonomics. A forefinger-choil and thumb-rest give the hand purchase points, filling out the palm and offering cutting control. Its leaf-shaped blade is flat-ground VG-10 and the Spyderco Round Hole is 11mm facilitating easy opening. FRN handle is textured with Volcano-Grip and a tip-up integral pocket clip. Low profiled and weighing just over one ounce, the Dragonfly is one of the flagship models in Spyderco's Little Big Guy Knife line up."[2]
See also: C28 [3], C28ET [4], C28WH [5]. C28GFG [6]. C28T [7]. C28BK2 [8]. C28GRE2 [9]. C28YL2 [10].
Variations
The C28 Dragonfly is made in Seki City, Japan and has a
- Back Lock
- Leaf Shaped Blade
- Integral FRN clip (1st generation FRN models)
SKU | Handle | Edge(s) | Steel | From/To | MSRP | Note | Number made | Grind | Clip | Clip positions | Collectors club |
C28BK | Black FRN | PE SE | GIN-1/G-2 | 1994-1995 | 39.95$ (1994) | narrow blade, clip starts after lanyard hole | Regular production | Hollow | Integral FRN | RH, TU | |
C28BK | Black FRN | PE SE | AUS-8 | 1996-2007 | 59.95$ (1998) | since 2001: increased blade and overall length; since 2004: incl. Boye dent; since 2006: bug on blade | Regular production | Full Flat | Integral FRN | RH, TU | |
C28BK | Black FRN | PE SE | VG-10 | 2008-2010 | 59.95$ (2008): 69,95 (2009) | Regular production | Full Flat | Integral FRN | RH, TU | ||
CX05 | Stainless Steel | PE SE | GIN-1/G-2 | 1997 | ? | SKU changed to C28 shortly after introduction | Short production | Full Flat | Integral FRN | RH, TU | |
C28 | Stainless Steel | PE SE | GIN-1/G-2 | 1997 | ? | Regular production | Full Flat | Chrome 3- screw short old standard clip | RH, TU | ||
C28 | Stainless Steel | PE SE | ATS-55 | 1998-2007 | 64.95$ (2006) | since 2001: increased blade and overall length; since 2004: incl. Boye dent; since 2006: bug on blade | Regular production | Full Flat | Chrome 3- screw short old standard clip | RH, TU | |
C28 | Stainless Steel | PE | VG-10 | 2008- | 74.95$ (2008), 84,95$ (2009), $112.00 (2019) | Regular production | Full Flat | Chrome 3- screw short old standard clip | RH, TU | ||
C28S | Stainless Steel | SE | VG-10 | 2008-Sept. 2019 | 74.95$ (2008), 84,95$ (2009), $112.00 (2019) | Regular production | Full Flat | Chrome 3- screw short old standard clip | RH, TU | ||
C28CF | Black CF | PE SE | ATS-55 | 1997-1998 | 129.95$ (1997) | Limited | Full Flat | Chrome 3- screw short old standard clip | RH, TD | ||
C28PET | Stainless Steel etched | PE | VG-10 | 2007-2008 | 89.95$ (2007); 94,95$ (2008) | Regular production | Full Flat | Chrome 3- screw short old standard clip | RH, TU | Variant | |
C28PWH | White FRN | PE | VG-10 | 2008 | 59.95$ | Sprintrun | ? | Full Flat | Integral FRN | RH, TU | Variant
|
C28T | Etched and multi-color Stainless Steel | PE | VG-10 | Dec 2009- | $104.95 (2011) | Etched and multi-color with grass blades and a dragonfly Tattoo | Regular production | Full Flat | Chrome 3- screw old standard clip | RH, TU |
Dragonfly 2
The C28 Dragonfly is made in Seki City, Japan and has a
- Back Lock
- Leaf Shaped Blade
- Steel wire clip (2nd generation)
SKU | Handle | Edge(s) | Steel | From/To | MSRP | Note | Number made | Grind | Clip | Clip positions | Collectors club |
C28GPFG | Foliage Green G-10 | PE | VG-10 | 2009 - | 129,95 $(2009) | Regular production | Full Flat | Silver Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | ||
C28PBK2 | Black FRN | PE | VG-10 | late 2010- | $74.95 (2011) | 2nd generation | Regular production | Full Flat | Silver low carry Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | |
C28SBK2 | Black FRN | SE | VG-10 | late 2010-Sept. 2019 | $74.95 (2011) | 2nd generation | Regular production | Full Flat | Silver low carry Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | |
C28GRE2 | British Racing Green FRN | PE | ZDP-189 | 2011-Nov. 2020 | $109.95 (2011), $135.00 (2020) | 2nd generation | Regular production | Full Flat | Silver low carry Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | |
C28PYL2 | Yellow FRN | PE | H-1 | mid 2011- | $84.95 (2012) | 2nd generation | Regular production | Hollow | Silver low carry Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | |
C28SYL2 | Yellow FRN | SE | H-1 | mid 2011- | $84.95 (2012) | 2nd generation | Regular production | Hollow | Silver low carry Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | |
WDKIT1 | Wood | Dull PE | Wood | late 2012- | $17.95 (2013) | For children ages 7 & Up. Comes in tin and assembly required. Made in America. | Regular production | Full Flat | None | n/a | n/a |
C28PPN2 | Pink FRN | PE | VG-10 | Dec. 2012 | $89.95 (2012) | J.B. Distributing of Asheboro, North Carolina distributor exclusive | 700 | Full Flat | Silver low carry Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C28GFPE | Black Nishijin Glass Fiber | PE | ZDP-189 | Apr. 2013 | $84.95 (2013) | JB Outman Distributing - distributor exclusive | 700 | Full Flat | Chrome 3- screw old standard clip | RH, TU | Variant |
C28POR2 | Orange FRN | PE | VG-10 | June 2013- | $84.95 (2013) | ? | Full Flat | Silver low carry Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | Variant | |
C28FPGYE | Grey FRN | PE | Aogami Super Blue | Apr. 2014 | $104.95 (2014) | Sprintrun | 1200 | Full Flat | Silver low carry Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C28PPR2 | Purple FRN | PE | VG-10 | Mar. 2015 | $89.95 (2015) | Sprintrun | 1500 | Full Flat | Silver low carry Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C28FPBORE2 | Burnt Orange FRN | PE | HAP40/SUS 410 | Mar. 2016 | $114.95 (2016) | Sprintrun. HAP40 core with SUS 410 cladding. | 1200 | Full Flat | Silver low carry Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C28ZFPGR2 | Green Zome FRN | PE | G-10 | June 2017- | $92.95 (2017) | 2nd generation | Regular production | Full Flat | Silver low carry Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C28SYL2HB | Yellow FRN | SE | H-1 | Sept. 2017- | $97.95 (2017) | 2nd generation, hawkbill blade | Regular production | Hollow | Silver low carry Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C28WDP | Brown Pakkawood | PE | HAP40/SUS 410 | May 2018 | $199.95 (MSRP), $129.97 (street) | Knife Center Exclusive. HAP40 core with SUS 410 cladding. | Limited | Full Flat | Silver low carry Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C28FPBLE2 | Blue-gray FRN | PE | V-Toku2/SUS 310 | Dec. 2018 | $104.95 (2018) | Sprintrun. V-Toku2 core with SUS 310 cladding. | 1200 | Full Flat | Black 4-way Hourglass | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C28FPWCBK2 | Black FRN | PE | VG-10 | June 2019- | $95.00 (2019) | 2nd generation, Wharncliffe shaped blade. | Regular production | Full Flat | Silver low carry Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C28FPWCBK2 | Dark gray FRN | PE | VG-10 | June 2019- | $105.00 (2019) | 2nd generation, Emerson wave opener. | Regular production | Sabre grind | Silver low carry Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C28FPTL2 | Teal FRN | PE | CPM-S30V | July 2019 / Feb. 2020 | $105.00 (2019) | MGE Wholesale distributor Exclusive. Second batch made in 2020. | Limited | Full Flat | Silver low carry Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C28PBBL2 | TNP blue FRN | PE | Black TiCN coated CPM-S35VN | Dec. 2019 | $95.00 (2019) | The Nutnfancy Project Patreon Exclusive, facilitated by BladeHQ. This was a Patreon subscriber exclusive, with "xxx of 579" above the "TNP" logo engraved (bronze, laser engraving) on the back side of the blade, with "12/2019" engraved below that. Black hardware and lock bar. The particular shade of blue used for the FRN is exclusive to TNP. The boxes are numbered to match the serial number on the knife. Sold out in about 2.5-3 hours. | 579 | Full Flat | Black low carry Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C28FP2K390 | Blue FRN | PE | K390 | 2020 - | $140.00 (2020) | Regular production | Full Flat | Silver low carry Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | Variant | |
C28GITD2 | Glow in the dark FRN | PE | VG-10 | Nov. 2020 | $105.00 (MSRP, 2020), $84.00 (Street, 2020) | Cutlery Shoppe dealer Exclusive | 1200 | Full Flat | Silver low carry Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C28CFPBK | Carbon fiber | PE | Cru-Wear | Mar. 2021 | $240.00 (2021) | Almadon LCC/The Knife Distributor distributor exclusive | Limited | Full Flat | Black low carry Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C28FPPNS30V2 | Pink FRN | PE | CPM-S30V | 2021 - | $125.00 (2021) | A part of the proceeds from this model will be donated to Pink Heals | Regular production | Full Flat | Silver low carry Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | Variant
|
C28FPPNS30VBK2 | Pink FRN | PE | CPM-S30V | 2021 - | $140.00 (2021) | The blade features a black titanium carbonitride coating. A part of the proceeds from this model will be donated to Pink Heals | Regular production | Full Flat | Silver low carry Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C28FP2WK390 | Blue FRN | PE | K390 | 2021 - | $145.00 (2021) | This variant features a Wharncliffe Blade | Regular production | Full Flat | Silver low carry Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C28ZFRDBK2 | Red/Black FRN | PE | CPM-20CV | May 2021 | $120.00 (MSRP, 2021), $84.00 (street, 2021) | DLT Trading dealer Exclusive. The red and black pattern of the handle is a so-called Zome pattern; "a classical Japanese method of dyeing textiles that is closely related to many aspects of that country’s culture and history ... Spyderco's Zome family of knives includes unique hand-dyed variations of popular lightweight models with injection-molded fiberglass-reinforced-nylon (FRN) handles. The handles of these knives are first molded in a light base color, and then individually hand dyed by expert Japanese artisans using a technique reminiscent of traditional hiki-zome (brush dyeing). In this painstaking method, various colors of dye are hand brushed onto the handle to create distinctive, one-of-a-kind patterns that permeate the FRN material." [11] | Limited | Full Flat | Silver low carry Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C28FODBK2 | Olive drab FRN | PE | Black TiCN coated Cru-Wear | May 2021 | $125.00 (MSRP, 2021), $87.50 (street, 2021) | DLT Trading dealer Exclusive. | Limited | Full Flat | Black low carry Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C28CFBK | Carbon Fiber | PE | Black TiCN coated Cru-Wear | June 2021 | $240.00(MSRP, 2021), $168.00 (street, 2021) | Almadon distributor Exclusive. | Limited | Full Flat | Black low carry Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C28DBL2 | Dark navy FRN | PE | D.P.S. 15 Damascus | Aug. 2021 | $125.00 (MSRP, 2021), $89.95 (street, 2021) | KnifeJoy dealer exclusive. | Limited | Full Flat | Silver low carry Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | Variant
|
C28ZFGYBL2 | Gray Blue Zome FRN | PE | Aogami Super Blue/SUS 410 | January 2023 | $110.00(MSRP, 2023) | Sprint Run | ~1200 | Full Flat | Silver low carry Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C28ZFGYBLBK2 | Gray Blue Zome FRN | PE | Black TiCN coated Aogami Super Blue/SUS 410 | January 2023 | $125.00(MSRP, 2023) | Sprint Run | ~1200 | Full Flat | Black low carry Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C28BGBK2 | Dark burgundy FRN | PE | Black TiCN coated Micro-Melt PD#1 | Sep. 2024 | $130.00 (2024) | Sprint Run | ~1200 | Full Flat | Black low carry Stainless wire clip | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
Most collectible variation
The CF variation seems to be the most collectible, though the Santa Fe Stoneworks variants are also rare and expensive.
Questions regarding collecting the C28
Some interesting questions we are looking for an answer to:
Questions with an answer:
Technical information
Measurements (mm and grams) of the C28 Dragonfly:
Variation | Length overall | Length closed | Length blade | Length edge | Hole Ø | Blade thickness | Weight |
C28BK (1994-2000) | 137mm | 83mm | 55mm | 48mm | 11mm | 2.5mm | 33g |
C28BK (since 2001), C28WH | 138mm | 82mm | 58mm | 48mm | 11mm | 2.5mm | 33g |
C28 (1997-2000) | 137mm | 83mm | 54mm | 48mm | 11mm | 2.5mm | 53g |
C28 (since 2001) | 138mm | 82mm | 58mm | 48mm | 11mm | 2.5mm | 73g |
C28CF | 137mm | 83mm | 54mm | 48mm | 11mm | 2.4mm | 45.5g |
C28ET | 140mm | 81mm | 59mm | 48mm | 11mm | 2.5mm | 74g |
C28GPFG | 140mm | 81mm | 57mm | 48mm | 11mm | 2.5mm | 56g |
C28BK2 | 141mm | 84mm | 57mm | 48mm | 11mm | 2.5mm | 34g |
Measurements (inches and ounces) of the C28 Dragonfly:
Variation | Length overall | Length closed | Length blade | Length edge | Hole Ø | Blade thickness | Weight |
C28BK (1994-2000) | 5 3/8" | 3 1/4" | 2 1/6" | 1 7/8" | 7/16" | 3/32" | 1.2oz |
C28BK (since 2001), C28WH | 5 7/16" | 3 7/32" | 2 5/16" | 1 7/8" | 7/16" | 3/32" | 1.2oz |
C28 (1997-2000) | 5 3/8" | 3 1/4" | 2 1/8" | 1 7/8" | 7/16" | 3/32" | 2.25oz |
C28 (since 2001) | 5 7/16" | 3 7/32" | 2 5/16" | 1 7/8" | 7/16" | 3/32" | 2.6oz |
C28CF | 5 3/8" | 3 1/4" | 2 1/8" | 1 7/8" | 7/16" | 3/32" | 1.6oz |
C28ET | 5 1/2" | 3 3/16" | 2 5/16" | 1 7/8" | 7/16" | 3/32" | 2.6oz |
C28GPFG | 5 1/4" | 3 3/16" | 2 1/4" | 1 7/8" | 7/16" | 3/32" | 2.oz |
C28BK2 | 5 9/16" | 3 5/16" | 2 1/4" | 1 7/8" | 7/16" | 3/32" | 1.2oz |
References
- ↑ Sal Glesser's original comment can be found on Spyderco-Forums [1]
- ↑ The C28BK Dragonfly in Spyderco's online catalog
- ↑ The C28 Dragonfly in Spyderco's online catalog
- ↑ The C28ET Dragonfly in Spyderco's online catalog
- ↑ The C28WH Dragonfly in Spyderco's online catalog
- ↑ The C28GFG Dragonfly in Spyderco's online catalog
- ↑ The C28T Dragonfly in Spyderco's online catalog
- ↑ The C28BK2 Dragonfly in Spyderco's online catalog
- ↑ The C28GRE2 Dragonfly in Spyderco's online catalog
- ↑ The C28YL2 Dragonfly in Spyderco's online catalog
- ↑ The Zome pattern explained on the C28ZFRDBK2 Dragonfly in Spyderco's online catalog