Caly3: my favorite EDC

[Donut]

Maybe we need to start a Caly wishlist.

1. Caly 3 and Caly 3.5 in K390.
2. Caly 3 K390 SE.
3. Calypso in K390.
4. Calypso K390 SE.
5. Caly 3 or Caly 3.5 in S90V or S110V.
6. I wonder if we could get the linerless Native or linerless Manix lock back treatment done to one of the Caly models.
7. The Calypso sprint, many people thought it was too heavy. What could be done to lighten it up? Micarta back in the day used to bend/warp. Does G-10 or Carbon Fiber fix that?

[Bolster]

Because there is no "like" button on this forum.

Do like!!

[bearfacedkiller]

It is hard to not like this knife. I wish we had a 3.5 like this.

[vivi]

Maybe we need to start a Caly wishlist.

1. Caly 3 and Caly 3.5 in K390.
2. Caly 3 K390 SE.
3. Calypso in K390.
4. Calypso K390 SE.
5. Caly 3 or Caly 3.5 in S90V or S110V.
6. I wonder if we could get the linerless Native or linerless Manix lock back treatment done to one of the Caly models.
7. The Calypso sprint, many people thought it was too heavy. What could be done to lighten it up? Micarta back in the day used to bend/warp. Does G-10 or Carbon Fiber fix that?

I'm a simple man, I'll take a Calypso Salt :D

[Sharp Guy]

It is hard to not like this knife. I wish we had a 3.5 like this.

That's another grail knife for me

[MFlovejp]

I absolutely love the looks of the Caly models. Though I've never held one, I can just tell that they would work for me ergonomically. I just found out that there was a 3.5" in Super Blue and I think I've found my (another) grail knife. Is the 3' model preferred just because of legality, or is there some other characteristic that separates it from the 3.5" model? It's only 8mm shorter than the 3.5".

[Capt'n Boatsalot]

I absolutely love the looks of the Caly models. Though I've never held one, I can just tell that they would work for me ergonomically. I just found out that there was a 3.5" in Super Blue and I think I've found my (another) grail knife. Is the 3' model preferred just because of legality, or is there some other characteristic that separates it from the 3.5" model? It's only 8mm shorter than the 3.5".

This to me is some of the magic of the Caly designs. Somehow 8mm longer from the Caly 3 to the 3.5 translates into 1/2" more blade. Put another way (and I'm far from the first to describe it this way), it's a PM2 length blade in a Delica handle. The efficiency of the design continues to amaze me.
I will note that when comparing my one Caly 3.5 (ZDP-189) to my Caly 3s (ZDP, SB, HAP40), all of the Caly 3 models have perfect fit and finish. On the 3.5, I can see the line (and feel with a fingernail) between the liners and the backlock/backspacer. Whereas all 3 of my Caly 3s have perfectly flush liners and backspacers. No impact to functionality, and you have to be really looking to see it, but it is there (in my sample size of 1).

[bearfacedkiller]

It seems like more folks prefer the 3.5. At least that was the opinion on here a few years ago. The 3.5 is EDC perfection. The 3 has a little more belly than the other two.

[Evil D]

The CF/ZDP Caly 3 was my first "nice" Spyderco and I think it was something like the third Spyderco I ever bought. That knife/steel taught me some hard lesson in sharpening. It's still one of my favorites but I really wish they'd tweak something, either the handle or how far the blade closes into the handle, to allow more sharpening before the blade tip starts to stick out. I really don't like the idea of grinding some of the kick off because I don't want the edge to hit the back spacer so I guess maybe I can drop the spine down until the tip is in the handle again.

[cycleguy]

Put me down for a "buy" on the 3 and a "pass" on the 3.5.

CG

[Bemo]

I really don't like the idea of grinding some of the kick off because I don't want the edge to hit the back spacer so I guess maybe I can drop the spine down until the tip is in the handle again.

If you've sharpened it as much as I think, the entire edge has moved back and you'll most probably have plenty of clearance. Honestly it doesn't take much filing of the kick to get the tip low enough. It's harder to tell the clearance on a the Caly because of the solid back spacer but if you look at most of the Spyderco's there's a good 3 to 4mm clearance when new. It's like they knew you'd need to take it down eventually. No my Ikuchi is a different matter all together since it uses a stop pin and not a kick.... but that's another story for another time.

[Catamount123]

Anyone have (or can take) a comparison pic between the big Calypso and a Native Chief? I used to have a micarta big Calypso, and, in many ways, I think of the Chief as an improved version of it.

[Doc Dan]

We need the Caly series back in the line up. These are serious knives.

[bearfacedkiller]

Anyone have (or can take) a comparison pic between the big Calypso and a Native Chief? I used to have a micarta big Calypso, and, in many ways, I think of the Chief as an improved version of it.

They are similar in my opinion.

[Mr Blonde]

My favorite Caly 3 is probably the ZDP189/CF version, I have a spare I actually use to trim the lawn next to the tiles in my yard. Yes, a longer blade would work way better, as well as serrations, but it's just a lot of fun to scratch up such a classy blade by cutting it into the soild up against stone bricks and tiles. The performance is there though, the edge has always come back, without resorting to the diamond hones.

[Wartstein]

Anyone have (or can take) a comparison pic between the big Calypso and a Native Chief? I used to have a micarta big Calypso, and, in many ways, I think of the Chief as an improved version of it.

They are similar in my opinion.

This would be a tough choice for me... I probably prefer the no-ramp-design of the Chief just ever so slightly, but I tend to like both shallower (not too deep) choils and shallower / higher carry in longer knives, which speaks for the Calypso.
And I could not say at the moment if I prefer VG10 or S30V. Both are perfect EDC steels. If I really had to choose, perhaps VG10 would win.

[Woodpuppy]

Anyone have (or can take) a comparison pic between the big Calypso and a Native Chief? I used to have a micarta big Calypso, and, in many ways, I think of the Chief as an improved version of it.

They are similar in my opinion.

This would be a tough choice for me... I probably prefer the no-ramp-design of the Chief just ever so slightly, but I tend to like both shallower (not too deep) choils and shallower / higher carry in longer knives, which speaks for the Calypso.
And I could not say at the moment if I prefer VG10 or S30V. Both are perfect EDC steels. If I really had to choose, perhaps VG10 would win.

Interesting, I wouldn’t have thought they were that similar. I’d probably choose the Caly, I like the hump. I have a Shaman inbound, and it’ll be my first experience with a no-hump design. And I’ll always take VG10 over s30v.

[ugaarguy]

I'd love to see the Calypso Jr come back with tip up pocket clip orientation and screw together construction. Still liner-less micarta with thread inserts like the original. That's the one knife I really regret selling.

[Bolster]

A well-used Caly Jr, below. I imagine the upcoming LW Caly w/ screw construction will be a hit, but this is probably the closest we can get until then. I actually like the fish-scale texture a little better than the current "lava" patterns...though both are aces.

[bearfacedkiller]

Anyone have (or can take) a comparison pic between the big Calypso and a Native Chief? I used to have a micarta big Calypso, and, in many ways, I think of the Chief as an improved version of it.

They are similar in my opinion.

This would be a tough choice for me... I probably prefer the no-ramp-design of the Chief just ever so slightly, but I tend to like both shallower (not too deep) choils and shallower / higher carry in longer knives, which speaks for the Calypso.
And I could not say at the moment if I prefer VG10 or S30V. Both are perfect EDC steels. If I really had to choose, perhaps VG10 would win.

Interesting, I wouldn’t have thought they were that similar. I’d probably choose the Caly, I like the hump. I have a Shaman inbound, and it’ll be my first experience with a no-hump design. And I’ll always take VG10 over s30v.

The Calypso is a little more elegant. It is a little more svelte, the lines flow a little better, the swedge, no jimping and the half ramp all give it a more refined feel. It would be the better gents knife if you think gents knives can be this big. The Chief has a more utilitarian feel which I like too. It also has that amazing Golden lockback, more handfilling scales, a slightly broader blade and folds up into a super compact package for its blade length.

This is all splitting hairs though, they are quite similar. I have always been a fan of the Calypso and my first impressions of the Chief are very good.