Caly Jr 2

Discuss Spyderco's products and history.
User avatar
araneae
Member
Posts: 5490
Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 10:10 pm
Location: A lil more south of the Erie shore, Ohio

Caly Jr 2

#1

Post by araneae »

I have had a love affair with the Caly Jr for over a decade. I got my first from a forumite who messaged me and offered a like new vg-10 PE. I loved most things about it, but rarely carried it because it would be hard to replace. Since then, I have nabbed a couple Micarta SE versions, a stainless PE and a Super blue. I would love to see a new version materialize with some upgrades.

Things I love about the knife:
-linerless FRN is super lightweight
-nice contoured FRN handles
-enough blade (~2.8") to be very versatile
-reminds me of a Dragonfly
-swedges
-vg-10 is a great steel (although BD1N would certainly work)

Things I would change:
-switch to wire clip, tip up carry
-slightly deepen the choil, think sage lightweight
-jimping, think Dragonfly

I know there is a Caly 3.5 lightweight in the pipeline, and I think that a Jr 2 would be a nice compliment for those that prefer or are restricted to under 3" blades.
So many knives, so few pockets... :)
-Nick

Last in: N5 Magnacut
The "Spirit" of the design does not come through unless used. -Sal
User avatar
kennethsime
Member
Posts: 4779
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2011 8:28 pm
Location: California

Re: Caly Jr 2

#2

Post by kennethsime »

I'd love for a lightweight Caly family, but would be most excited about a Caly 3 LW. I'd like the Caly Jr. as a smaller version of the more recent Caly 3 and 3.5 designs, with the deeper chol and more pronounced hump.
I'm happiest with Micarta and Tool Steel.

Top four in rotation: K390 + GCM PM2, ZCarta Shaman, Crucarta PM2, K390 + GCM Straight Spine Stretch.
User avatar
JMM
Member
Posts: 1489
Joined: Wed Sep 04, 2019 8:39 pm
Location: Pacific Northwest, USA, Earth

Re: Caly Jr 2

#3

Post by JMM »

I do like the overall look/design of pretty much everything in the Caly line, especially the older brown one with the longer blade and super slim profile, I've held it, it's a beauty... I just can't bring myself to buy a pinned knife. Ever. ;)
Sumdumguy
Member
Posts: 3601
Joined: Sun Dec 03, 2017 3:51 pm

Re: Caly Jr 2

#4

Post by Sumdumguy »

I just wish the lockbar on my SB Caly Jr would sit flush. I've bought three seperate ones, all of them had it.

It really irks me, I don't see how it made it past QC.
"If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so."

-Thomas Jefferson
User avatar
Evil D
Member
Posts: 27147
Joined: Sat Jun 26, 2010 9:48 pm
Location: Northern KY

Re: Caly Jr 2

#5

Post by Evil D »

I'm not sure about the 3.5 but the standard Caly really needs the blade to seat into the handle further. I haven't bought another one since my first because it doesn't take much sharpening to expose the tip.
All SE all the time since 2017
~David
User avatar
elena86
Member
Posts: 3763
Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2010 6:59 am
Location: Somewhere in Europe

Re: Caly Jr 2

#6

Post by elena86 »

araneae wrote:
Sun Mar 01, 2020 9:09 pm
I have had a love affair with the Caly Jr for over a decade. I got my first from a forumite who messaged me and offered a like new vg-10 PE. I loved most things about it, but rarely carried it because it would be hard to replace. Since then, I have nabbed a couple Micarta SE versions, a stainless PE and a Super blue. I would love to see a new version materialize with some upgrades.

Things I love about the knife:
-linerless FRN is super lightweight
-nice contoured FRN handles
-enough blade (~2.8") to be very versatile
-reminds me of a Dragonfly
-swedges
-vg-10 is a great steel (although BD1N would certainly work)

Things I would change:
-switch to wire clip, tip up carry
-slightly deepen the choil, think sage lightweight
-jimping, think Dragonfly

I know there is a Caly 3.5 lightweight in the pipeline, and I think that a Jr 2 would be a nice compliment for those that prefer or are restricted to under 3" blades.

Add a pivot screw
Marius

" A mind all logic is like a knife all blade. It makes the hand bleed that uses it "
( Rabindranath Tagore )

Proud member of the old school spyderedge nation :bug-white-red
GarageBoy
Member
Posts: 2215
Joined: Sun Nov 14, 2004 6:49 pm
Location: Brooklyn NY

Re: Caly Jr 2

#7

Post by GarageBoy »

Fishscale and swedge make the Calypso Jr a Calypso Jr
User avatar
T_MAC686
Member
Posts: 354
Joined: Thu Jan 12, 2017 7:31 pm

Re: Caly Jr 2

#8

Post by T_MAC686 »

araneae wrote:
Sun Mar 01, 2020 9:09 pm
Things I would change:
-switch to wire clip, tip up carry
-slightly deepen the choil, think sage lightweight
-jimping, think Dragonfly

This and torx construction would be my two biggest changes. I’m guessing if this were to happen however it would have to be in liner less G10 as switching to a wire clip would require all new molds for the FRN?
Nate
Member
Posts: 1907
Joined: Sat Apr 13, 2013 11:25 am
Location: Hurtling through space...

Re: Caly Jr 2

#9

Post by Nate »

Big fan of the Caly Jr, have 4. Would welcome an update or even additional sprints, but honestly feel the Chaparral, especially the lw, is already an "heir to the throne" in many respects.
:spyder:
User avatar
araneae
Member
Posts: 5490
Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 10:10 pm
Location: A lil more south of the Erie shore, Ohio

Re: Caly Jr 2

#10

Post by araneae »

T_MAC686 wrote:
Mon Mar 02, 2020 6:40 am
araneae wrote:
Sun Mar 01, 2020 9:09 pm
Things I would change:
-switch to wire clip, tip up carry
-slightly deepen the choil, think sage lightweight
-jimping, think Dragonfly

This and torx construction would be my two biggest changes. I’m guessing if this were to happen however it would have to be in liner less G10 as switching to a wire clip would require all new molds for the FRN?
I definitely overlooked screw construction which I would prefer. I am definitely proposing a new mold as the changes I suggested couldn't happen without retooling.
So many knives, so few pockets... :)
-Nick

Last in: N5 Magnacut
The "Spirit" of the design does not come through unless used. -Sal
User avatar
araneae
Member
Posts: 5490
Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 10:10 pm
Location: A lil more south of the Erie shore, Ohio

Re: Caly Jr 2

#11

Post by araneae »

Nate wrote:
Mon Mar 02, 2020 6:53 am
Big fan of the Caly Jr, have 4. Would welcome an update or even additional sprints, but honestly feel the Chaparral, especially the lw, is already an "heir to the throne" in many respects.
While great, the Chap isn't in the Caly family tree IMO. No hump, so swedge, just a totally different feel for me.
So many knives, so few pockets... :)
-Nick

Last in: N5 Magnacut
The "Spirit" of the design does not come through unless used. -Sal
pantagana23
Member
Posts: 461
Joined: Mon Apr 08, 2019 9:52 am
Location: Croatia

Re: Caly Jr 2

#12

Post by pantagana23 »

After a stroll through the XL Dragonfly thread, I saw this knife for the first time, and I'm wondering why is this out of production?
Would agree with araneae for clip and jimping idea.
For the blade, it would be wonderful if the spear blade was completely symmetrical (take a straight line from pivot center to blade tip, and then mirror the upper part to lower part of the blade). This would have great aesthetic effect, would deepen the choil a bit, but the handle height would have to be a bit bigger.

Anyway, I'd buy this as is if it came in production again.

Or perhaps in M390 :D
ugaarguy
Member
Posts: 1211
Joined: Mon Feb 17, 2014 10:07 pm
Location: Indiana

Re: Caly Jr 2

#13

Post by ugaarguy »

I'd take the last Calypso Jr, just updated to screw together construction. Maintaining the liner-less construction, but changing to a tip up wire clip, or four way hourglass clip with thread inserts, would make it even more desirable for me.
User avatar
kennethsime
Member
Posts: 4779
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2011 8:28 pm
Location: California

Re: Caly Jr 2

#14

Post by kennethsime »

pantagana23 wrote:
Tue Mar 03, 2020 3:48 pm
After a stroll through the XL Dragonfly thread, I saw this knife for the first time, and I'm wondering why is this out of production?
Would agree with araneae for clip and jimping idea.
For the blade, it would be wonderful if the spear blade was completely symmetrical (take a straight line from pivot center to blade tip, and then mirror the upper part to lower part of the blade). This would have great aesthetic effect, would deepen the choil a bit, but the handle height would have to be a bit bigger.

Anyway, I'd buy this as is if it came in production again.

Or perhaps in M390 :D
It sounds like you're describing an XL Dragonfly with a Caly Jr. handle right there. :D I could get behind that!
I'm happiest with Micarta and Tool Steel.

Top four in rotation: K390 + GCM PM2, ZCarta Shaman, Crucarta PM2, K390 + GCM Straight Spine Stretch.
User avatar
toocool006
Member
Posts: 372
Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2017 4:42 pm
Location: New Orleans

Re: Caly Jr 2

#15

Post by toocool006 »

Evil D wrote:
Mon Mar 02, 2020 5:26 am
I'm not sure about the 3.5 but the standard Caly really needs the blade to seat into the handle further. I haven't bought another one since my first because it doesn't take much sharpening to expose the tip.
Can you fix this issue by grinding down the nub on the choil? But then of course that kind of defeats the purpose of having a choil to begin with...
~andrew
User avatar
Evil D
Member
Posts: 27147
Joined: Sat Jun 26, 2010 9:48 pm
Location: Northern KY

Re: Caly Jr 2

#16

Post by Evil D »

toocool006 wrote:
Wed Mar 04, 2020 10:57 am
Evil D wrote:
Mon Mar 02, 2020 5:26 am
I'm not sure about the 3.5 but the standard Caly really needs the blade to seat into the handle further. I haven't bought another one since my first because it doesn't take much sharpening to expose the tip.
Can you fix this issue by grinding down the nub on the choil? But then of course that kind of defeats the purpose of having a choil to begin with...


You can but too much will allow the blade to contact the lock bar and back spacer when closed.
All SE all the time since 2017
~David
pantagana23
Member
Posts: 461
Joined: Mon Apr 08, 2019 9:52 am
Location: Croatia

Re: Caly Jr 2

#17

Post by pantagana23 »

Mr. Glesser, will Calypso Jr. ever see daylight again? Been looking to find some new ones on all webshops, but the VG-10 version is long gone. Not really into Superblue (stainless is a must for me).
Post Reply