3" folder (delica vs cali vs ??)

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gdtrfb

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Mar 27, 2003
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For legal reasons, I don't like to carry my military model much outside the home/trail/camping. I am looking for a ~3" folder for the office/general use. My preference is for an American made, American source material, and American company product, but based on my searches, there are slim pickings in the ~100$ or less category. That leaves me with very good options in the American company foreign/partially foreign produced category. I live in CO close to spyderco and would prefer to 'buy local' especially when the products have great reputations.

So, for those that have a delica and a cali, which 'feels' better? Is the cali worth 2x the price?

An comments on the AL Mar mini sere, BM mini grip?

Any other options? (I just don't like the look of the Kershaw options, but have read good reviews, etc.)
 
I guess you should handle both
the Caly Jr and UKPK (never handled a Caly III though) fit my hand much better than the Delica, but you have to be comfortable with having your index finger very close to the edge. If you prefer not to use the finger choil, you'd better go for the Delica.

The Caly III is worth the price if it suits you well, if you're more comfortable with the Delica, go with the latter. It has different handle materials though, the G10/SS liners couple are very strong and have a lot of fans here, though the Delica's FRN is super lightwheight yet a bit flexy (still super tough, but FEELS a bit flimsy). If you want super lightweight with the Caly III's shape (approximately), I would say go with the ZDP-189 Caly Jr, plus it has ZDP-189, depending on what you prefer between those, ZDP for cutting performance, VG-10 for oxydation resistance. I think Knifeworks still have some.

As for American made, I think the only one that fits the bill is the UKPK (mostly a non-locking Caly III). All VG-10 and ZDP-189 blades are made in Japan IIRC, which includes the Delica and Caly III/Caly Jr.
I own a UKPK, it's a great knife, and if you're not concerned with SD or hard stabbing chores, you should be fine without the lock.
 
If you can afford it then why not just go with the calyIII? I don't have a calyIII myself but I've handled one a few times and I loved it. I just couldn't afford it so I got a waved delica instead; which is great in its own right. I also use to carry a full size grip but played around with a mini and I liked it as well. Still, some people don't like the handles on the grip so that might be an issue. But in terms of "feel" I think out of the 3 the caly feels the best.

As a note I believe that the UKPK is getting cut from production so if you want one you might want to get one soon.
 
The caly3 is a great little big knife, almost like a mini-mini manix. Awesome ergos, without a "scary" blade. The delica didn't have as nice of a grip in hand.
 
the caly 3 is an unbelievable EDC. its super comfortable in hand and pocket. Plus the deep wire clip is virtually undetectable to other people (good for the office). When you use it around sheeple they'll likely not fright. GET ONE YOU WONT REGRET IT I PROMISE.

P.S. if you want an american made one, you can get a UKPK which doesnt have a lock.
 
UKPK is US made. S30V is the great US made steel, but it doesn't have a lock.
I never had Al Mar, I had full size Grip, not anymore. I have two Delicas: SS SE and Blue ZDP, but I carry Caly3 every day for more than a year. If you can afford, I would get Caly3. You can try to find used, will be less expensive.
I saw one few days ago on the trade forum.
IMHO Delica is a good tool, but Caly3 is superior and worth every penny.
 
My EDC is a caly 3 minus the wire clip. It carries very well without it deep in the pocket. I just bought my wife a pink delica. The delica is basically thicker and more beefy in the blade and handles whereas the caly 3 is a slimmer, more slicer like blade. I agree with the comments that the caly is micro-manix like -- the feel of the g10 is very solid. I don't think it meets your criteria of made in the USA though. Perhaps you should consider the recently discontinued mini-manix -- not sure though if it meets your blade length criteria.

I have a zdp caly jr due to be delivered today :) I can give you some impressions of it as well.
 
i think the G-10/VG-10 caly3 is one of the best EDC knives out there and is really a great deal. I would use that over a D4 any day.
 
Thanks for the replies. I am not adamant about 'made in USA', but that is a bonus. I'll probably get a CalyIII, as I want a keeper. While I would like to be in the 'get both camp', I just don't have a need for multiple similar use knives.
 
The native has S30V blade steel, FRN handle, is American made and can be had for the 40-50 dollar range. You can get it for right at 40 if you can find a Wal-Mart that carries it.
 
I've been carrying a D4 as my EDC for quite a while and have been very happy with it. However, after just a couple days with my new G10 Caly 3, my D4 is being relegated to utility work. The Caly 3 sits perfectly in the hand--every finger knows where to go, and it's balanced perfectly. The D4 is a great little knife for less precise work, but it sits in more of a fisted grip, with no good way to choke up for more controlled cutting. With the choils and incredible ergonomics, the Caly 3 is almost a pocket scalpel. Love this little knife.
 
I have all of the knives you mentioned and have EDC'd all of them at one time or another.

The mini-Grips are too small for me to hold comfortably, although the Ritter mini is as good a slicer as anything I've seen.

The mini-SERE is light and comfortable, but I found the blade configuration to be less than useful for my cutting needs and I don't like liner locks.

The D4 is my work EDC (warehouse work).

The Caly 3 is my "never go anywhere, even to the bathroom, without it" carry. Yes, to me, it's worth 2X the price of a D4 because of the construction and feel of the knife.

Another one you might want to consider that fits all of your criteria is the Native 1 from Spyderco. It's US made, less than $50.00 from Wal-Mart, and it's not very "aggressive" looking to me, although that's a very subjective opinion.
 
thanks again to all. I ordered a calyIII this am. The three wally worlds near me don't carry any spyderco products. However, I just don't like the natives looks (preference I guess). The solid feel and good cutting ability is what I really want.
 
If you're in CO near Spyderco you can go straight to the company store.

Just wondering, if you like the Millie so much why not consider the Para-Military? I used to carry the Para and moved up to the Military, but the Para is excellent.
 
The Caly arrived and for those that do own one, I have two questions:

#1
The lock doesn't seem all that confidence inspiring. For those that dislike liner locks (not necessarily my favorite either), the military lock is 100% more 'substantial' than the calyIII. I know, apples to oranges and the stature alone can probably explain that aspect. So the question, with thumb on the jimping, can anyone else SEE (yes it is visible) the movement of the blade going forward when pressing firmly? Although, I cannot discern any audible notching or 'space' in the locking mechanism, etc. Possible defect?

Sadly, my POS $29.99 gerber ez out utility flat tip 3.5' blade model has a more confident lock.

Note - I didn't have the blade edge firmly pressed against anything to 'even out the pressure' as I am considering a return. It just feels like I could push it through if I really applied a great deal of pressure.

#2
The site where purchased states, "Tip-up/tip-down pocket clip." From pics, I didn't see how this was possible, and upon the arrival inspection it is NOT configured for tip down. Can this be done 'aftermarket'? (obvious warranty issue here) My other folders have tip down configs and after 2 decades of practice opening tip down access and opening, this aspect is less than favorable. I know, 'caveat emptor', get over it, but I don't have an infinite amount of time to research every possible purchase in my life. Misadvertising?

On the plus side, I really like the handle feel, ss liners, blade shape and profile. These are VERY appealing aspects and if it wasn't for the clip and lock, this would really have me satisified. As is, it is a 6 out of 10 for me. I realize it may be 9/10 or 10/10 for others though.

Any insight is appreciated.
 
gdtrfb said:
The site where purchased states, "Tip-up/tip-down pocket clip." [...] Misadvertising?
Click to expand...
Yes, the website was wrong. This knife is (unfortunately) designed for ambidextrous tip-up carry only. I'm myself a fan of tip-down carry since I can open my calypso Jr way faster than my UKPK (regardless of the thumb strength needed), I carry IWB and always grab the accessible tip of the handle. On tip-up knives I have to turn over the handle to grip it and then open the blade, whereas on tip-down the handle is flipped 90° down and the blade 90° up simultaneously, since the opening hole is accessible from the beginning.

Since you like liners and stuff, I guess the calypso Jr doesn't suit you, maybe you could ask one of the custom knifemakers/modders here (STR for example), they maybe can adapt the clip to the blade pivot, or make a new clip and screw holes to fit it.

Now on the blade movement issue, it doesn't do that on any of my Spyderco lockback (all FRN ones until I get my new Caly III ZDP/CF and serrated VG-10/G10).
I think you should ask Spyderco for a replacement, I'm sure they would be interested to take a look at the knife to understand what went wrong with it.
 
Hmm, the lock on my caly 3 is rock solid with no play. Then again, how strong does a lock on a knife that size really need to be? As for the calypso jr, my zdp version has completely taken over my daily carry-- have carried it every day since I've had it. The weight to cutting ability is tough to beat.
 
From the sound of it i would say your knife is definatley defective. My caly snaps into place with authority, and there is no play AT ALL.
 
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