Advise on Caly's Super Blue or ZDP

K

Kita

Joined
Feb 12, 2012
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First time caller. I am considering a Caly 3 CF ZDP or 3.5 Super Blue. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Kit in Northergotcherdeeryet Michigan
 
Welcome to the forums!

Ive had the zdp caly 3 since it was released well over 3 years ago, maybe 5, have lightly used it since (I have a couple users so its not a fulltime user) and it still has a sharp original edge on it. There is nothing I do not love about it. Not a heavy use knife but it will out cut lighter items better then anyknife I have ever used. And the ergos are just amazing.

I had the super blue version but never used it and eventually sold it(have standard 3.5 but havnt used it). Its finish out of the box (atleast mine) was no where along the lines of my other 3 caly 3's, particularly the start of the grind (Im picky about my grind when I have multiple perfect ones to compare it to). Im also pretty sure its non stainless so it will require more maintenance if you want the blade to stay perrty and shiny.

It may of been a dream but I think I recall seeing that a zdp 3.5 is to be released in the near future? If so thats another option.
 
My Caly 3 in ZDP-189 stays sharper longer than anything I've tried, so far.
 
I really want to try Super Blue, but just haven't had the chance. I'm sure you've read all the same things I have about how it takes are a really fine edge, is easy to sharpen...etc. It does however rust easily (supposedly).

However, I have an Endura in ZDP189 and I really like it. Stays sharp long and takes a fine edge. However when you sharpen ZDP you have to do so carefully and gently. It will reward you with an excellent, clean edge.

Super blue is easier to sharpen but will rust. ZDP is harder to sharpen but is stainless (more or less). Edge retention on both is suppose to be comparable.

However, my favorite steel is M390. Takes a super fine edge and holds it for a very long time...but that's not your question.
 
Thanks for the input. I am loving the feeling of superiority and smugness that I get from the blue steel in my Watanabe gyuto and nakiri blades. That said, I want an EDC that may see duty in my flyfishing vest. I am leaning now towards the ZDP.
 
I think you'd be able to have the same sense of superiority and smugness with ZDP...there's a good chance it's harder than anybody else around you's knives. I once had a guy challenge me to a steel duel...he whipped out his stryder with S30V (I believe) and I trumped it with my ZDP Endura.
 
I have both and I would have a hard time choosing one.

If your uses are more along the lines of everyday things like opening boxes, cutting rope, string, etc, I would go with the ZDP Caly 3. If you are more interested in harder use, I would choose the Super Blue. Both are great steels, just remember that the Super Blue is not stainless. Ergonomically, the Caly 3 fits my hand a little better than the Caly 3.5, but I don't have large hands.

I also noted that the level of fit and finish is higher with the ZDP Caly 3.
 
Hi and welcome to the forums!

Fit and finish for me were comparable for my Caly 3 G-10's, CF/ZDP, and my 3.5 SB. Haven't dared use my SB and am considering what to do with it as, while a good knife, doesn't feel as "solid" (maybe the clip) as some of my other knives, including the Caly 3 ZDP, the Military, Para 2, GB, etc.

I would not pick any of the Caly series for "hard use" but it will do almost any urban EDC task very well including food-prep, etc. It may not handle woodcarving, etc and certainly not batoning as well as a tougher knife with a thicker blade of softer/tougher steel.

For your purposes why not just get a Stretch or Delica in ZDP? No laminated steel, no fancy semi-slick carbon fiber, etc.
 
I carry a Stretch in ZDP-189 quite a lot, wonderful knife! The Stretch IMO is probably the best example of Spyderco's brilliance in creating user-orientated cutlery. The ergos, blade shape, length and grind - and of course, steel - all makes it a fantastic user. And to my eye, a real beauty too. I can rhapsodise about this knife all day but let me stick to the topic. My experience with ZDP-189 has been excellent. It retains an incredible edge and it is quite stain resistant, far more so than Super Blue from what I know about it. For a pocket knife that will be used for the typical cutting tasks of the average knife owner, I think its ideal. Just use your common sense. If you want to cut cable ties or whatever, use scissors. I have a pair of County Comm mini-shears for that type of action. A knife is for cutting!
 
Good suggestion on the Stretch. Love the flat grind. The Endura seems a little big for a pocket.
 
Keep an eye on fleabay, they pop up fairly often. Take it from me, this is one of the greatest Spydercos ever and yet it doesn't get the kudos it deserves.

Kita said:
Good suggestion on the Stretch. Love the flat grind. The Endura seems a little big for a pocket.
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wait for the ZDP 3.5, this will be the one :D....unless you carry the SB all the time it may rust. Also the SB steel needs frequent touchups to the edge, it seems to rust the freshly sharpened fine part of the edge right off in a couple days without any use IMO.
 
+1 Caly 3 in ZDP. It is one of my EDCs ... has held an edge since I got it about 6 months agao, and it is carried at least 4 days a week.

Can't talk about Super Blue - never owned it ...

~ Edge
 
.unless you carry the SB all the time it may rust. Also the SB steel needs frequent touchups to the edge, it seems to rust the freshly sharpened fine part of the edge right off in a couple days without any use IMO.
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Nah, they aren't that bad. Unless you put them away compromised with something corrosive or wet, and they are properly sealed they store pretty indefinitely. I have a couple extra in the safe. Before I put them away I waxed them with renn wax ( paste wax), and put a extra coat over the edge area and they have remained like new, but without oil so they are dry to the touch.

Some of my other safe queens just have a coating of pure clear silicone oil which drys and essentially does the same thing. Some have stored years like that and we aren't talking about stainless knives, or "semi" stainless knives with D2 blades.

They really are much less work than people make them seem.
 
Pulled the trigger on the Stretch ZDP for $94 on Ebay. It is a little larger than I thought it would be. It scared a few coworkers when I was about to open a box. I am thinking it may be my weekend knife as it noticeable in my pocket.
 
It's all personal preference. Both have tremendous steels, with the ZDP holding an edge longer and the SB getting a super fine edge very easily.

Personally, I would take the Super Blue, hands down. More blade (my military spoiled me), and I love carbon steels.

Both will take any hard use you can throw at them (while maintaining reason) and be enough knife for any task.
 
Kita said:
Pulled the trigger on the Stretch ZDP for $94 on Ebay. It is a little larger than I thought it would be. It scared a few coworkers when I was about to open a box. I am thinking it may be my weekend knife as it noticeable in my pocket.
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Excellent choice. FWIW, if the Stretch scares your coworkers, then the Caly 3.5 almost certainly would scare them as well since they're very close to the same size.
 
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