New, need advice

[nyrico]

I am new to this forum and am contemplating my first Spyderco. I have collected on and off for years, but, want something nice that can also pass as an EDC. I have my eye on 2 models, Caly 3 CF and the Sage 1. Which would you recommend?

[Slash]

need more info. for your edc needs. for example I normally edc a 4" blade...for my needs.

pick either one you think will fit "your needs." either one should work just fine.

different knives fit differently in peoples hands than others.

most people chose a cheaper knife for edc task. due to the fact that it can and will get lost. I would say try a stretch. only cause I dislike small handle knives.

my edc is a lum tanto made by Spyderco or Benchmade, zt 0551, or d2 para. but, that's just me. I also carry a smaller backup blade. stockman or similar.

[HighDesertSpyder]

Get both... one for each pocket. Afterall, its a Spyderco :eek:

[.357 mag]

You also need to look at locks. Ones and backlock and ones a linerlock. Also steel. The caly as ZDP-189 and the sage has S30V. How's your sharpening skills? If not good, you might want to look at something with VG-10,H1.

[casey1]

i have held them both and want the sage a whole lot more than the caly3. Here's why:

not the blade steel - they're both great
not the ergos - they're also both great
not the looks - they're both beautiful
not the lock strength - if you want to break your knife don't spend $100

i want the sage more because i LIKED it more. i don't really know why :)
there are pros and cons to every knife and you just need to hold both till you know :)

[SQSAR]

i have held them both and want the sage a whole lot more than the caly3. Here's why:

not the blade steel - they're both great
not the ergos - they're also both great
not the looks - they're both beautiful
not the lock strength - if you want to break your knife don't spend $100

i want the sage more because i LIKED it more. i don't really know why :)
there are pros and cons to every knife and you just need to hold both till you know :)

I'd say the exact opposite, , , but for the exact same reasons. :D Like some have already said, there are a lot of clarifying questions to see which knife will suit your needs the best, but at the risk of gross oversimplification I say the Caly3 because it's just one sweet knife.

[Spider bite]

Get the Caly. Lockback, Zdp.... Sold!

[razorsharp]

Welcome Nyrico :)
Spyderco uses tough steels with their knives- You might want to pick up a 204 sharpmaker or a good whetstone or steel if you can freehand sharpen. Don't get pull through or electric sharpeners , they suck :p .

Heres some vids from the site that might help you pick.

http://spyderco.com/edge-u-cation/video.php

[dbcad]

Welcome nyrico, this forum is a pretty nice place.

If I were in your place, making the same decision, the Sage is what I would get. I gave my Sage2 CF to my brother last winter and remember it as a beautiful, very well built piece. I had a Caly3 for a short time and just didn't like it as much.

[Tdog]

Don't think you can go wrong with either of those models. I have and like both, though the Caly 3 carries a little better for me. As another poster said "get both" you'll be glad you did.

[The Deacon]

Both are well made knives of approximately the same size with blades of approximately the same shape. Both have CF scales, wire clips, and are set up for tip up carry only. Sage I is a bit thicker, a bit heavier. Some folks will consider those as points against it, others as points in its favor. Its pluses are a deeper choil and CF that manages to be nicer looking while providing better grip. ZDP-189 gives the Caly 3 the advantage in edge holding, but the outer 420J2 layers scratch easily and the "hamon" look it creates does not appeal to everyone. Caly 3 blade is thinner behind the edge, which makes it the better slicer.

I like the Caly 3, but I also like a deeper choil so, if I were right handed, I'd carry the Sage I when I wanted a knife with a blade 3" or under and currently carry the Chaparral instead of either. It's fully ambidextrous, like the Caly 3, but even thinner and lighter and has a deep choil and the same CF as the Sage and a super thin blade so it slices like a demon.

Edited to add a photo of all three...

[CENTER][/CENTER]

[jackknifeh]

I've wanted a Sage 1 for a long time. I considered the Caly 3 but I like the slimmer look of the Sage (less hump). Also, I love liner locks as far as using them. Nothing wrong with the back lock though. But now, as Deacon said the Chaparral is available as of about a week ago and that knife has taken my next choice for a small gents knife because it is a little smaller than the Sage1. For gents knives I've had a Michael Walker (2.5" blade) for a while and recently aquired a Gayle Bradley. They represent a small and large gents knife. The Sage1, Caly3 or Chaparral would be right in the middle. All around $100 also. The only thing I wish is that there was a store close to me where I could go and handle the knives before I buy. The next best thing to that though is advice from people on this forum. Asking for opinions here was a very good idea on your part. Good luck with your decision. Whatever you decide you'll be making a great choice. Not often do decisions we are faced with only have an up side. :D

Jack

[nyrico]

Thanks for all of the advice, finally decided on and ordered the Sage 1. I like liner locks better and the fact that a couple of you pointed out that it is thinner, easier for EDC in my opinion. The Chaparral definitely looks nice, but, I was looking for a 3" blade and the price was a little better on the Sage because it is an older model.

[jackknifeh]

Thanks for all of the advice, finally decided on and ordered the Sage 1. I like liner locks better and the fact that a couple of you pointed out that it is thinner, easier for EDC in my opinion. The Chaparral definitely looks nice, but, I was looking for a 3" blade and the price was a little better on the Sage because it is an older model.

Great choice. It looks like the difference between a Sage 1 and the Chaparral is the Chaparral wouldn't handle the tougher jobs as well as the Sage. So, since they are close to the same size I think the Sage is the better choice of the two if you may run into harder cutting tasks. I still want both but won't know which to get first until I press "Enter" on the confirm purchase page. :D

Let us know what you think when you get it.

Jack

[Blerv]

The caly3.5 may be different but for me the 3 never felt as comfortable in hand as the Sage. Blade performance wise I prefer the slightly pointier/thinner Caly grind but the hand never lies :) . I'm sure there are others that prefer the Caly in hand over the Sage though.

[Evil D]

This is a classic showdown, this topic has come up a few times just since i've been on this forum (rather, just since the Sage 1 hit the market). I've had both, sold the Sage and kept the Caly 3 because i like the blade profile of the Caly better, and i like ZDP better than S30V. Aside from that, the Sage is a superb knife...i love the pillar construction, LOVE the twill carbon fiber, love how crazy smooth the action is. Both have awesome ergonomics, awesome fit and finish, and are both great for EDC/dress. One thing to note that i really appreciated about the Sage over the Caly 3 was that, by design, the Sage's blade doesn't get scratched up at the pivot from opening/closing like the Caly does...but that's a back lock trait and with the 420J2 outer layer on the Caly, it scratches pretty much the first time you open it and there's not much you can do about it. Besides all that, it just comes down to which lock design you prefer. The liner lock is part of why the Sage is so silky smooth opening and closing, but the Caly is more ambidextrous.

Oh, as for being thinner...that's a little bit splitting hairs i think. I wouldn't go so far as to say either knife is thick. The Sage's blade is thicker and IMO isn't near the slicer that the Caly is, but that's not to say the Sage is a poor slicer either.

[BAL]

Welcome and sorry to hear about your new addiction. The question is never what Spyderco should I get, but what Spyderco should I get FIRST. Enjoy, they are all great choices, you can't go wrong.