Caly 3.5 vs. PM2

Tried the PM2 a couple times but couldn't warm up to how big it is for only about 3" of edge. I have knives the same handle length with 4". For me, big and blocky doesn't mean comfortable or good ergos, so they never got carried. If you have bigger hands, that might be a benefit.

I love the Caly 3.5, though. It probably doesn't do much (if at all) better on edge length, but it is much more compact overall. I find the blade shape more useful, and it doesn't have the ridiculous thick stock of the PM2. It seems to me more refined and useful.
 
I have both and they are quite different. The PM2 with compression lock is much easier to open and close with one hand compared to the Caly's back lock. The Caly is also pinned so you can't disassemble it which I don't like. The blade on the Caly is awesome though and it has Spyderco's fantastic wire clip. The Caly also feels slimmer in the pocket. I prefer the PM2 to edc if I had to choose just one mainly because of the lock but the Caly 3.5 is a great knife and looks better.
 
Caly 3.5> PM2 for EDC. Caly 3.5!gives you essentially an Endura blade in essentially a Delica handle. Much less room in pocket. For longer, harder cutting, the PM2 would be more comfortable. But take into consideration I don't particularly like compression locks and love back locks
 
The Caly3.5 is a great EDC and packs a lot of blade in a small package. That small package however results in a grip that is not very hand filling and falls short for harder use. The Para2 packs a similar length blade in a much larger package that is much more hand filling and is well suited to harder use. To me they fall at the extreme ends of the spectrum in that regard with the Caly having about as small of a handle as you will find on that size blade and the Para2 handle being a bit large for that size blade.

I prefer the thinner blade stock of the Caly3.5 but I prefer the blade shape and larger handle of the Para2.
 
Dont mean to hijack the thread, but I have been eyeing on Caly as well, though primarily for replacing my Delica zdp-189 as my EDC. How do these two compare? If I go with Caly, what configurations (steel, scale, etc.) are available now?
 
bearfacedkiller said:
The Caly3.5 is a great EDC and packs a lot of blade in a small package. That small package however results in a grip that is not very hand filling and falls short for harder use. The Para2 packs a similar length blade in a much larger package that is much more hand filling and is well suited to harder use. To me they fall at the extreme ends of the spectrum in that regard with the Caly having about as small of a handle as you will find on that size blade and the Para2 handle being a bit large for that size blade.

I prefer the thinner blade stock of the Caly3.5 but I prefer the blade shape and larger handle of the Para2.
Click to expand...

Thanks. That sums it up perfectly, though it leads to another question: if the PM2 is the "hard use" knife, in what category do the Manix 2 lock back and the Shaman fall into, since they are folders with even thicker stock!
 
Thanks. :)

That was more a comment comparing it to the Caly3.5 and specifically to their ergonomics. The Caly3.5 isn't really any less sturdy than the Para2 but in my opinion ergonomics affect the application.

The Shaman and ManixBL are just harder use knives like he said.

The Caly3.5 sure does ride nice in the pocket. :)
 
I find the Caly series more of a gentleman's stiletto. It is a very discreet easy carry 3.5" blade.
Theirs not a lot of difference carrying the 3.5 vs the Caly 3. The Para strikes me as more of a workmans side kick.
It feels a bit more bulky to me,not as contoured as the Caly.
For my needs the Caly is the best.
 
I prefer PM2 better ergonomics and compression lock . Also more choice of premium blade steel options. I've owned all Caly models at one time sold them all except Caly Jr.
 
After reading this thread I decided to look at my Caly 3.5 again as I've been carrying a PM2 a lot lately and it really is a beautiful knife. The ergonomics, the blade shape, geometry and size to handle ratio are all very well done. I don't dislike backlocks although I don't prefer them but the pinned construction is a disappointment for such an expensive knife.
 
I only have one Caly 3.5, but have several PM2s. I also have a few Caly 3s, though still not as many as I have PM2s. I guess that says something about which I prefer.

There is not much I can add to the previous comments, but I will add some objective measurements. The Caly 3.5 is 4.3" closed, a PM2 is a hair over 4.8" closed. My ZDP-189 Caly 3.5 with CF scales is .35" thick. A PM2 of mine with CF scales is .45" thick. As others have stated, the edge length is virtually identical. Hope this helps.
 
I think others have covered the differences well. Even though the 3.5 has been my go to edc for some years if I could have only the 3.5 or Para I would take the Para. It is probably overall the more useful tool. The cf on the 3.5 is easy on the pockets, the wire clip, and being thin make it imo a better carry knife. The Para is a better hard use knife because of the handle design. Both are great knives two of my favorites in the entire Spydie line-up. Get both, you won't be sorry. With the HAP40 Caly 3 selling out so fast, I suspect we will see a HAP40 Caly 3.5.
 
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