I'm about to throw down some funds.....help

Fred Sanford · #1

Well, I have decided to buy a Spydie that I have never had or held before.

I have narrowed it down to the Caly3 or the 75mm Persian.

I like both of them and I want both. Right now I can have one. :)

I don't like wire clips so much but I love the flat ground blade and G10. I really love the micarta/bolster look of the mini-persian but the blade is not what I'm used to either. I like the clip on the mini-persian better.

I will assume that both knives will have semi fragile tips. That's ok, because whatever I pick will be used for normal daily knife chores and nothing "hard use". :)

Can any of you who have both knives tell me which one is thicker? I mean from side to side. I have heard that the Caly3 is thinner than the Calypso Jr. FRN. I find that hard to believe. Seems odd to me. Anyone have a "top down" shot of them?

I want to just buy another Paramilitary because I love 'em so **** much but I already have one and want something I don't have. :)

Opinions? Help?

Thanks in advance folks. :)

charge · #2

This isnt much of a help but if I had the choice between these two it would be the Caly. I just like the looks better. Good Luck!

charge

WJR · #3

Get the Caly3, I love my G-10 and CF/ZDP ones.

WJR

Bolster · #4

David, you are choosing between two of my very favorites. I carry both of these on a regular basis. You will eventually own both, so your choice is merely which to get first.

First blade width. The spine width on the Small Persian (SP) is 2.5mm. On the VG-10 Caly3 (C3) it's 2.85mm. On the ZDP C3 it's 2.80mm. Second, overall handle width of the G-10 C3 is 9.4mm, of the CF C3 8.8mm, and of the SP, 9.6mm (not including clip). There's more metal backing the tip of the C3 than the SP due to the leaf vs. clip shape, so if tip strength is the issue, then C3 (and probably the VG-10 version).

The SP looks dressier than even the CF C3, and is the one I carry when wearing a tie. The C3 hides itself better (in waistband especially) so is the choice for travel & where concealment is important. The SP is easier to "find" and draws faster. The hole's smaller on the SP (11mm) than on the C3 (12mm), which doesn't sound like much but feels quite a bit different. Something to keep in mind if you have big fingers. With its flat ground blade the C3 is a far better food prep knife. For SD, though, I'd probably choose the SP, with its sharper tip and deep finger swell that keeps the hand well away from the blade. If you do choked-up controlled cutting, the C3 has jimping, the SP doesn't. There's no control of the blade tension on the SP whereas you can adjust it on the C3.

If you forced me to choose one, I'd probably choose the VG-10 C3, but I'd cry bitterly about leaving the SP and the ZDP C3 behind. If and when the SP comes out in a flat ground version (see Deacon's Persian flat grind project) all bets are off, because a flat ground SP might have the advantage at that point.

What an agonizingly fun choice to make! You'll be pleased either way you go.

Dr. Snubnose · #5

That's a hard one....I have both and love both of them, though they are very different from one another....Good Luck in choosing!!!!....Doc :D

The Deacon · #6

David, I don't have the G-10 version of the Caly 3, but I find the thickess differences between the CF version and the 75mm Persian too small to notice. In fact their sizes both closed and open are virtually identical in all dimensions. I've carried the Caly 3 a lot more, but that's more a combination of the fact that the one I carry is the one Sal gave me and that I still prefer the large Persian over the small one.

Would agree with Bolstermanic's observations and just add that NKP's tend to be less intimidated by the Persian.

At the risk of complicating your decision a bit further, if you like full flat grinds, there's always the "Tom Krein" option - have a hunch the small Persian would look as good, and cut as wickedly, full flat ground as its big brother does. :D

ozspyder · #7

I'd go the Mini Persian over the Caly. Looks a bit more unusual, and as previously mentioned, the specs aren't really that different. Though my opinion might be a bit biased as I like all the 'persian/ scimitar' looking blades such as the Chinook.

Both blades will have you running around the meadows with much glee :D so either choice will surely not be regrettable.

Daniel

dedguy · #8

I love my mini Persian.

Bolster · #9

The Deacon wrote: NKP's tend to be less intimidated by the Persian.

Interesting -- now how do you explain that? I had imagined NKPs were more comfortable with leaf than clip blades but perhaps not.

dedguy · #10

The Caly3 looks tactical and thus like a weapon and the Persian looks like something your grandad may have owned?

Capt. Carl · #11

Go with the mini persian. It is one of my favorite knives. It is arguably my favorite EDC. I love the big persian so the mini is a compromise of size and weight but still feels awesome in the hand. I sold my caly 3 on the other hand. I think the persian is a perfect combination of beauty and function. Has everything I want in a knife on it.

GarageBoy · #12

Mini Persian, even though I'm probably the biggest Caly III fan. The Persian's fit and finish is BEAUTIFUL. It handles like a dream and its also discontinued..

dedguy · #13

The big Persian is disco'd as far as I know the mini isn't though.

smcfalls13 · #14

Depends on what kind of cutting you do, and the location you do your cutting.

The Caly 3 is more rugged looking, and the leaf blade is better suited for general utility outdoors, in a warehouse, etc.

However...

The Persian is more refined, and dignified looking, and it's blade is just slightly more limited(because of the upswept tip, the difference is negligiblem but bears mentioning). It's better suited to an office environment, or upscale establishment.

For me...Caly 3 goes with jeans, and the Persian goes with dress pants.

Fred Sanford · #15

Thanks everyone for your help.

Because I'm just freakin' nuts, I went and ordered a PE black bladed Paramilitary because I can never have too many of them. :D

I'll wait a little bit before I order my next Spydie but I'm gonna go with the Mini-Persian because it looks so Jim-Dandy. It's been a while since I've had a micarta handled folder and I would really like one. 'Course....I also wanna grab a Lava and an Adventura too while I'm at it. :cool:

dialex · #16

Very difficult to decide. Those are two great knives. I wouldn't know what to pick myself... I'd probably flip a coin - which should select the Persian eventually

WORKER#9 · #17

I own both and carry both. There both fine knives for all your cutting needs. I will give the nod to the 75 Persian. I have to say of all the Spydercos ever made, this is in my top choice right now. I carry this knife all the time. It is so well made and so well thought out. It is the perfect medium size folder made by Spyderco!

Fred Sanford · #18

Since I just threw down my money on another Paramilitary (black blade SE) I'll have to wait a couple weeks or so before I throw down more on a mini-persian.

That'll be what I buy though. It just keeps growing on me. I don't mind the Caly III but I keep noticing how the choil is not as deep as the one on the UK Pen Knife. Plus I think that Micarta with a bolster is nice and classy. :cool: