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Decisions, Decisions: D4 G-10, Caly3, & Rookie

Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 7:32 pm
by cr78
Hello folks! It's finally time to add a new Spyderco to the collection (old-school pro-venator with SS & kraton insert, original civilian with kraton and aluminum, & police model), and I was hoping I could enlist the forum's help to push me in one way or another. I'm looking for a gentleman's knife for EDC, with a blade no longer than 3 inches. My initial inclination was toward a Delica g-10, as it's the right size and is, of course, a Spyderco legend. I then started leaning toward the Caly 3, as it is lighter and the clip allows for unobtrusive carry (which is important to me as an attorney, who doesn't want to noticeably carry). My only concern with the Caly is that with the thicker blade and leaf-shape, it will take up more space in my pocket. To add to the dilemma, I've stumbled across the Rookie, which seems to be even smaller and lighter than the Delica. I'm torn between the benefits of each model, and would probably go with the Caly were I not concerned with the extra space it will take up. Any thoughts? Thanks for the help!

Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 7:46 pm
by DAYWALKER
Aloha and welcome cr78,

The CalyIII will not take up *that* much space in your pocket, and that grind on that wider blade than those you mentioned is awesome.

The Delica is a legend, the rookie could have been, but the Caly' Jr. in ANY of it's variants are fast becoming, if not already...

:spyder: Legends...

God bless and Happy New Year! :cool:

Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 7:48 pm
by Quick Draw
The Rookie would definitely be a smaller and lighter carry, but I would not recommend it for any hard use. The Caly 3 would probably be your best bet as an EDC. It has an excellent blade shape and has the wire clip for low carry.

Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 8:40 pm
by DAYWALKER
Hey cr78,

I was just re-reading your initial post, and um...

You could also go the Lava route and just money clip it. ;)

Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 9:16 pm
by Mako109
All 3 are great but if I were you I'd go with a CF Caly3. Unobtrusive carry is a major criteria for me too and the low riding Caly3 with wire clip fits the bill. The CF version also gives the knife a more cultured look.

The Delica G-10, well you can't go wrong with this choice but since you're going for a "gentleman's EDC" with wire clip, I think the CF Caly3 looks more appropriate.

The Rookie has a very shiny clip which is fairly noticeable against the dark suitpants I normally wear in the office. I dislike shiny clips. I find the handle size functional but a bit small for my hands, and I'm not a big guy. I also find the wider blade of either the Caly3 or Delica more useful. On the plus side, the Rookie is so small and light its nice to carry in my pocket sans the clip. Personally I like to keep a Rookie on my office desk as a letter/package opener.

Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 10:16 pm
by mark greenman
CF Caly III is the suit and tie spyderco. Worth the extra scratch :cool:

Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 1:36 am
by THG
If you're looking for a sexy knife, drop all those you listed and go with the Sage. The CF handles are elegant, and it has the same sleek style and carry system (wire clip) that the Caly has. And it's in the same price range, so it's win-win-win!

Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 1:59 am
by Don Ellis
Based on your requirements, I would suggest the Caly3 as others have... with one exception. I don't carry any knife in my pocket, but stick in in my waistband, just to the right of the first belt loop (on your right, looking down). You can angle the knife to about 45 degrees and the clip will be fairly well hidden behind your belt.

Don

Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 5:28 am
by El Tigre
I have all three. My favorite of those is the delica g-10.

"El Tigre"

Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 5:37 am
by The Deacon
All are well built knives. When compared, each has its good points and its bad.

Rookie would be the thinnest, by virtue of its 2.5mm blade and single liner, and narrowest when closed. It has the smallest Spyderhole opener, which can affect ease of opening. It also stick furthest out of the pocket, and the bright sliver clip insures people will spot it.

Caly 3 is the only one with a 50/50 choil and offers the most discreet carry of the three, and possibly of knife carried clipped. It is also the only one of the three which cannot be fully disassembled.

G-10 Delica would, at least in theory, be the best slicer, due to it's combination of full flat grind and 2.5mm blade. It has the largest Spyderhole opener of the three. It also offers the most carry options, and is at least a bit more discreet than the Rookie although still having far more exposure than the Caly 3.

So it really depends on what matters most to you. To me, the differences in size and thickness are relatively small, as is the differnce in weight, but the difference in visibility when carried clipped is relatively large. While I sidestep the discretion issue by carrying loose in my pocket, my personal choice would still be the Caly 3, simply because I have a very strong preference for models with a 50/50 choil.

Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 10:17 am
by FLYcrash
Welcome to the forums, cr78!

Go for the Caly3! The PE VG-10/G-10 variant was my first-ever :spyder: and, come to think of it, began my affinity for high-end cutlery. It is absolutely wonderful. I even carried it a few times in my old job as a teacher (when I really needed it and the kids weren't there), and it was almost completely unobtrusive with shirt/tie/slacks professional attire. Pocket space was not an issue. The only thing that concerned me was that the G-10 might start wearing out the pockets in my dress trousers, but I'd smoothed the G-10 in the area where the clip meets the handle with some sandpaper and nothing came of it. Maybe the CF variant is better in this regard; all I know is that I'm happy as a clam with my G-10 variant.

Now as a student, I EDC a Lava with the same attire. It sticks out like a sore thumb with its polished metal clip, but it's legal to carry in my neck of the woods. I love the Lava, but I wish I could carry the Caly3 legally, as it's far more discreet and its more acute tip is much better at opening envelopes. Plus you get a much longer blade for the same weight (stainless versus G-10 handles), which is helpful for food prep on the go.

I can't comment on the Delica and Rookie, as I don't have them, but I doubt you'd be disappointed with the Caly3.

Good luck with the decision!

Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 12:01 pm
by sixheads
My Caly 3 g10 was my fave knife and i thought i would never replace it. But now i have a sage and it is a tie with thew Caly. The Sage offers similar blade shape but has the nice fit and finish. I carried my sage with my suit last night (new years party) in the inside jacket pocket and then in my pocket later in the night . No one noticed or cared.

I like choils and leaf shape blades so these knives are my faves.

Also for what it is worth i dont like ZDP or i would have a carbon fiber Caly 3.

So know i EDC my Caly 3 around town or out in the yard and Take my Sage out for dress up.

Sixheads

Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 9:14 pm
by Lord vader
The delica would be the way i would go. I think it would be a good choice for a gents folder.

Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 12:19 pm
by cr78
Thanks so much for the help guys! Now I'm stuck between the Caly 3 and the Sage, hahaha. I may just flip a coin. :(

Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 12:56 pm
by lamarrk
cr78 wrote:Thanks so much for the help guys! Now I'm stuck between the Caly 3 and the Sage, hahaha. I may just flip a coin. :(
Let us know. I would have voted for the Caly3 CF until several folks pointed at the Sage. I don't have a Caly3 but am lusting heavily. I do have a Sage and it's a great knife. You wouldn't go wrong getting it, and later getting the Caly3 CF (I love CF).

Lamarr

Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 1:33 pm
by bh49
Out of your four options I would go with Caly3. But....
cr78 wrote: I'm looking for a gentleman's knife for EDC, with a blade no longer than 3 inches.
I can be wrong, but none of these choices do not look for me as gentleman's knife. For gents knife I would look at 75mm Persian, Kopa, Kiwi, Micro-Dyad or Viele.

Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 10:36 pm
by cr78
Thanks for all the responses guys, your help has led me to purchase a new :spyder: Caly 3, which I am anxiously awaiting delivery of. I appreciate all the forum's help!