Caly 3 ZDP question: mods

[enyong112]

Hi guys,

I was wondering what's the difference between the Caly 3 ZDP and Caly Jr ZDP, all I know is the one used on the Caly Jr is laminated, is the one on the Caly 3 also a laminate? or is it pure ZDP??

Who knows somebody who does mods on the handle, my brother is planning to buy the Caly 3 ZDP but doesnt want the CF, he wants G10. Can anyone help us on this?
:)

Thanks,

Enyong

[Capt. Carl]

The Caly 3 ZDP has carbon fiber handles, metal liners, and a low riding pocket clip.
The one your brother wants is the G-10 version of the Caly 3 in VG-10 steel. It is a great knife and also 40-50 dollars cheaper.

Edit: I misread your thread sorry... STR would be able to do the mod but buying the ZDP caly on top of the mod would be so pricey... It would probably be around sebenza territory in which case I would rather get one of those. But I'm not your brother... Modding the ZDP Caly Jr. would be more favorable in terms of price at least. You could get it done with titanium a titanium backspacer and the g-10 but it would still be a little bit pricy in my opinion. I do happen to like the blade shape on the Jr. a whole lot. Shoot STR an email and get a quote.

[yablanowitz]

The Caly3 is also a ZDP-189/420J2 laminate just like the Caly Jr. I don't have one, but I seem to recall people giping about the Caly3 being pinned construction, which doesn't make changing scales impossible, but it does make it a bit more complicated.

[The Deacon]

If you are asking about the steel, the is exactly the same in the two, ZDP-189 core laminated between two layers of 420J2. Blade thickness is also identical. The Caly 3 blade is about 3/16" longer, with about 1/8" more edge length. It also has a bit more belly than the Calypso Jr's blade, a larger Spyderhole, jimping on the choil and ramp, rounded transition between the ramp and the rest of the spine, and a full width spine instead of the CJ's semi-swedge ground one.

As for your project, not sure what would be most cost effective, rebuilding a CJ with G-10 over liners, rescaling a C3 in G-10, or "swapping" scales between a G-10/VG-10 and a CF/ZDP-189 C3. Assuming such a swap would work, it might work out well if you could hook up with someone who wanted to put CF scales on a SE G-10/VG-10 C3.

FWIW, I think STR is trying to avoid doing G-10. If that's the case am sure there are others who could do it for you.

[dalefuller]

As Yablanowitz said, all the Caly 3s are pinned except for the pivot. The scales are going to be difficult to work with because of the pins. The simplest (and most expensive solution) is to buy both versions of the Caly 3 and swap blades.

I have both versions of the Caly 3, however, and I prefer the G10/VG10 model both because of the G10 scales and because of the VG10 blade steel. I am not a fan of ZDP189. Your brother might want to reconsider his choice of blade steels and get the G10 model. I've never found VG10 steel to be lacking in any area. While the edge doesn't hold up quite as long as ZDP189, it's much easier to touch up VG10 and get it back where it should be and VG10 seems to be more corrosion resistant than ZDP189 based on some posts from people who use both steels in harsh environments.

If you still want to pump up a Caly Jr, Tricod did some very nice work on a Spyderco recently. The pix may have been on BladeForums. You might PM him and see if he can do something for your brother.

[Blackhair]

Wow, swapping blades is a great idea, Dalefuller. :)

That's what I love about this forum; the answer you get will be very helpful, but it might not be what you were expecting.

[enyong112]

Thanks for the info guys, I believe I will just have him get the VG10 one.
But our scheme was that I will get the VG10, he'll get the ZDP and swap handles, but I think it's impossible for us do it by ourselves. or not?? Is it possible to change just the blades, I mean taking it off the pivot, or am I complicating everything?? heheehhe :D

[enyong112]

[quote="dalefuller"]As Yablanowitz said, all the Caly 3s are pinned except for the pivot. The scales are going to be difficult to work with because of the pins. The simplest (and most expensive solution) is to buy both versions of the Caly 3 and swap blades.
QUOTE]

So this is possible??? whooohooo...

[dalefuller]

OK... understand that I am not recommending this. It's not an "official" fix or anything and I have not done it with mine because I prefer the G10/VG10 combination. But as far as I can tell from looking at both of my Caly 3s, the blade pivot is adjustable, so it is also removable. Once you do that, as far as I can tell, the blades are the same except for the steel.

I strongly suggest that you contact STR and ask for his opinion on doing this before you try it... unless you are of an adventurous nature.

All those disclaimers being mentioned, I still think it would work unless there's some difference I don't know about, which is entirely possible.

[enyong112]

We're the adventurous type, trying to apply Filipino ingenuity as always hehehehe I believe this will imprinted in the Most Stupid Spyder Move Ever Book... :D
Thanks dalefuller I'll pm STR today.. :)

[yablanowitz]

The only real obstacle I can see is the blade and lockbar are usually fitted very closely, so swapping blades without swapping lockbars is kind of a crapshoot. It might work, it might not. It might seem fine on one and not on the other. No way to tell until you try.

[Brad S.]

In order to swap blades you would have to as well fix the pivots. The pivot of the Calypso Jr is a small rivot, where as the pivot of the Caly 3 ZDP is a large Barrel bolt. Makeing a straight simple swap, impossible. It would require drilling the blades to fit new pivots. Which can of course be done it however requires solid carbide drill bits, which can get pricey, as well as pivots to match.

All of that is assuming that the lockbars match up. Which, If I remember correctly, there are a few differences, but dont quote me on that. Best way to know that is to look.

Or, like was originally proposed you could have the Carbon Fiber from the Caly 3 replaced with G-10. Which is probably the eaisest method.

Either STR or myself can do the work for you. But in all honesty, I would just go with the VG-10. Its a great steel, that is eaiser to sharpen. For me that ZDP is sweet, it just takes to long to sharpen.

[Dannyvi]

We're the adventurous type, trying to apply Filipino ingenuity as always hehehehe I believe this will imprinted in the Most Stupid Spyder Move Ever Book... :D
Thanks dalefuller I'll pm STR today.. :)

Kumusta, by! I also came from the the PI near you, Negros Oriental. Yes, STR is a good friend of mine and a really nice person. He should be able to answer your questions. He taught me how to do mods also and the first I did was the CJ JR. and done 3 since then. Yes, he does avoid the G10 for health reasons. You should try titanium scales. Looks great with the zdp! Take care!