A ~3.5 Inch Spyderco

The_KaramVit · May 27, 2015

Hi Everyone,

I'm getting ready to add another Spyderco to my Spyderco-exclusive collection. I'm thinking of the Caly 3.5 CF but am a little hesitant. It has some traits i do not like. The reason it is still a contender is because of its amazing blade to handle ratio and the handle not being made of FRN. I also love that the Round Hole is not concealed at all under the liners.

I do not like lock-backs very much. I prefer liner locks but am having trouble finding a Spyderco liner lock that can compete with my Sage 1.
I do not like rivet construction very much. I love being able to easily maintain and clean my knives. I can take my Sages apart and get them cleaned and assembled again within 10 minutes. This ease of maintenance is not possible with lockbacks, like my stretch SB which i just sold. I used to take 10 minutes to just try to align the pivot with the washers in trying to reassemble it.

That being said, is there any Spyderco i am forgetting that is a better contender than the Caly 3.5 CF? Please let me know why you think so. Also, feel free to let me know your experience with the Caly and if you think it is the prime choice.

Vit

TravisH · May 27, 2015

How about - Manix 2, ParaMilitary 2, Military

Several sweet exclusives coming out this year with M4, 204P, S90V, and CF, Jade G10, Ti scales.

The_KaramVit · May 27, 2015

TravisH said:
How about - Manix 2, ParaMilitary 2, Military

Several sweet exclusives coming out this year with M4, 204P, S90V, and CF, Jade G10, Ti scales.

Thanks for the reply! Oh, i forgot to mention that i already have a PM2 and am very very happy with it! I got the plain black g10 version and it is awesome. I've considered the Manix 2 but it is inferior to the PM2 in my book. The clip is also too deep on the manix 2 for my liking.

The military is just too big for me. Yeah, i know i'm real picky.

DocT · May 28, 2015

what is your budget?

flarp · May 28, 2015

I was going to recommend the Caly 3.5 or Endura. But if you prefer something other than back lock, then how about the Gayle Bradley? ~3.5" blade in CPM-M4, and has a liner lock. Or the PM2? It also has a ~3.5" blade. It's not a liner lock though (compression lock).

JeremiahWeaver09 · May 28, 2015

you wont be disappointed with the caly. the spyderco stretch is also very nice.

darkangel55555 · May 28, 2015

I second the recommendation of the GB folder. It's flow-through construction, unlike the Caly (I have the 3, not the 3.5) which means if gunk gets in there I can simply wash it out.

M4 feels in my use to hold a toothy edge longer than ZDP's highly refined, prone-to-chipping edge which, once it starts to degrade, degrades quickly. I think it's the carbides, but also how well each steel takes my kind of edge (1000 grit, jump to 5000 grit, stropped with CrO).

If you like ease of maintenance, I wouldn't recommend bolt action (Sage 3) or similar (I'm thinking of the Manix 2 and can't remember what it's called) lock styles. The simplest Spyderco I've disassembled would have to be my Sage 2, then my Military Ti, followed after a few other frame locks by my liner lock Military. Based on those experiences I would recommend consideration of the Southard, Lionspy, or Tuff.

FriarPhenn · May 28, 2015

Yep, Gayle Bradley. It ticks all of the boxes that you listed (I'm sure you have more boxes, like weight and handle thickness). It's a solid knife that begs to be used. M4 is an excellent steel that won't chip or roll on you.

Oh, and it dresses up nicely:

grownstar · May 28, 2015

FriarPhenn said:
Yep, Gayle Bradley. It ticks all of the boxes that you listed (I'm sure you have more boxes, like weight and handle thickness). It's a solid knife that begs to be used. M4 is an excellent steel that won't chip or roll on you.

Oh, and it dresses up nicely:

*drools*

kniferbro · May 28, 2015

FriarPhenn said:
Yep, Gayle Bradley. It ticks all of the boxes that you listed (I'm sure you have more boxes, like weight and handle thickness). It's a solid knife that begs to be used. M4 is an excellent steel that won't chip or roll on you.

Oh, and it dresses up nicely:

You are assembling quite the armada Friar.

OP: what about the Slysz Bowie. It's nice

New g10 stretch is cool too.

NeilB · May 28, 2015

FriarPhenn said:
Yep, Gayle Bradley. It ticks all of the boxes that you listed (I'm sure you have more boxes, like weight and handle thickness). It's a solid knife that begs to be used. M4 is an excellent steel that won't chip or roll on you.

Oh, and it dresses up nicely:

Wow! I love the acid washed blade!

PineChaos · May 28, 2015

OP, check out the Hungarian. It is, in my opinion, the most under-appreciated current production spydie out there. Pillar construct, 3.5, FFG, great steel. I view it as a serviceable version of the Vallotton.

Skywalker31 · May 28, 2015

I'll second the Hungarian - sleek knife, 3mm flat-ground XHP blade cuts great. Ergos can be a little weird with the flared bolster, but nothing too bad. I like to carry one around day-to-day and also dressed and skinned a couple whitetails with mine last season. Amazing, under-rated design.

The Gayle Bradley is also amazing but it seems a little heavier and bulkier than what OP wants if he's looking at a Caly 3.5 - the Hungarian is more of a sleeker, lighter knife along the Caly's style.

The_KaramVit · May 28, 2015

darkangel55555 said:
I second the recommendation of the GB folder. It's flow-through construction, unlike the Caly (I have the 3, not the 3.5) which means if gunk gets in there I can simply wash it out.

M4 feels in my use to hold a toothy edge longer than ZDP's highly refined, prone-to-chipping edge which, once it starts to degrade, degrades quickly. I think it's the carbides, but also how well each steel takes my kind of edge (1000 grit, jump to 5000 grit, stropped with CrO).

If you like ease of maintenance, I wouldn't recommend bolt action (Sage 3) or similar (I'm thinking of the Manix 2 and can't remember what it's called) lock styles. The simplest Spyderco I've disassembled would have to be my Sage 2, then my Military Ti, followed after a few other frame locks by my liner lock Military. Based on those experiences I would recommend consideration of the Southard, Lionspy, or Tuff.

Thanks for all the info. I agree, the Sage 1 and 2 are the easiest to disassemble and reassemble, by a long shot.

The_KaramVit · May 28, 2015

FriarPhenn said:
Yep, Gayle Bradley. It ticks all of the boxes that you listed (I'm sure you have more boxes, like weight and handle thickness). It's a solid knife that begs to be used. M4 is an excellent steel that won't chip or roll on you.

Oh, and it dresses up nicely:

Thank you for the recommendation. I've been seeing your GB collection on the EDC thread a lot. They're impressive.

You're right, there are more boxes to tick off. The GB does not tick the Stainless box, so i still need to decide if i'm willing to forego that. I also do not like that the handle covers part of the opening hole. However, I love the price, love the handle shape, love the blade to handle ratio.

The_KaramVit · May 28, 2015

PineChaos said:
OP, check out the Hungarian. It is, in my opinion, the most under-appreciated current production spydie out there. Pillar construct, 3.5, FFG, great steel. I view it as a serviceable version of the Vallotton.

DUDE. Thanks for calling my attention to this knife. I never saw it until you posted this. This checks most major boxes and is 4.4oz. I will look into this more.

tuckerone1 · May 28, 2015

Get the Slysz Bowie you will love it!!!