caly 3, CF or not ???????

S

seanweader

Joined
Jan 29, 2008
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interested in buying a caly 3, not sure if I should go with the CF or not. heard of some chipping problems. Any info would be good, also I think this is the best edc with a 3" blade.
 
Everything I've heard about the Caly III, the cf/zdp model or the G-10/VG10 model has been nothing but good. I really don't remember ever reading anything bad about either. That, in and of itself, is a pretty good testament to their quality.:thumbup::)
 
I strongly believe that Caly3 is almost perfect EDC. I have both G10 and CF.
I prefer G10/Vg10 version, which I carry for more than a year and I love this knife. I like G10 and VG10 is a great steel also I am not big fan of CF or ZDP and especially laminated ZDP.
Regarding ZDP chipping, I never heard about ZDP excessive chipping more than any other steel. I think that any harden steel can chip.
Get Caly3 and you will never regret. Ergos are great, FFG blade is terrific, also I love low ridding wire clip. This knife is the beauty and a great user.
 
I love my CF ZDP Caly 3. I haven't put it to any hard use, so I don't know if it'll chip more than anything else. I've read a couple of posts some time ago about ZDP chipping, but not lately. Either way, get one of them, the Caly 3 is a great design.
 
The Caly 3 is the best EDC I have. It gets over 90% of my carry time. I carry the CF ZDP model, and love it. I liked it so much, I would like to have bought the company :) but I settled on buying 2 more as back-ups. Just in case they discontinue this model. :) They are that good.
Dave.
 
seanweader said:
interested in buying a caly 3, not sure if I should go with the CF or not. heard of some chipping problems. Any info would be good, also I think this is the best edc with a 3" blade.
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Are you refering to chipping problems with the CF or with the blade? I own the CF Caly3, and the CF appears to be as hard a material as you would want. It doesn't hurt that it looks great too! The blade will scratch rather easily, but I haven't heard of or had any problems with chipping.
 
ty57 said:
Are you refering to chipping problems with the CF or with the blade?
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Exactly my question. I have knives with CF scales (BG42 Millie), and knives with ZDP (Endura). Neither have chipping issues. I'm not sure if Yablanowitz has any knives with ZDP, but he does have a Millie in S90V with CF scales, and S90V is supposed to be similar to ZDP. If he had any issues with chipping, I'm sure we would have heard it. Nobody I know on these forums puts their knives through a tougher workday than him.

Rik
 
I've been carrying one style of Caly or another for over 7 years. The Jr's are so light you'll forget your carrying them. The III's got that extra bit of heft that you'll do more with it than you'll expect to.

As for Chipping never have had a problem w/ VG-10 or ZDP. As for a chipping handle? G-10 are sold as is FRN. I do have CF that was chipped while machining. Nothing so bad I'd send if back (custom's included).
 
In industrial applications, carbon fiber is engineered into composites specifically to reduce the incidence of fractures or chipping. I would think that it's use in knife handles would hold up quite well. I have one folder that makes use of it and it's pretty sturdy.

Of course, we still don't know if the OP was talking about the handle or blade material.

Chipping stories make the rounds for many hard steels, but the bottom line is that they hold up for most users or they wouldn't find their way into general use by so many manufacturers.

seanweader...it appears as if you won't go wrong with either...choose the one you like!
 
I have two Spyderco's with ZDP the Delica and Endura. Never had any problems with chipping. Looked at each blade extensivley under 22x microscope. Have used them as edc but not hard use. That said I prefer VG10 and 154cm are my blade steel of choice for edc. Tough, sharpens easily with 30 degree on sharpmaker. VG10 seems to easily retain orginal sheen or gloss without any staining. Also if you are into reprofiling a blade the VG10 is alot easier to work with than ZDP.
 
I've had both Caly 3s. I kept the G10/VG10 and traded away both CF models. I like the CF OK (it's a gorgeous knife to look at), but it's not as grippy as G10 and my knives are users first and foremost.

I traded them away because I don't like ZDP189. It's far too difficult for me to work with. I don't use any kind of diamond sharpening gear and don't want to start. I'm fine with the Edge Pro and Sharpmaker that I have and every one of my other 40+ blades touches up or sharpens very nicely with the kit that I already have, so I stay away from super hard steels like ZDP189, SG2, S90V, etc.

Besides, I like my blade steel to be a bit more impact resistant even if it's a bit less in the edge-holding category. VG10, 154CM, and S30V fill that role very well for me.
 
I have a ZDP/CF Caly III, but haven't used it yet. :rolleyes: However, I also have a ZDP Calypso, Jr. which I've used a fair amount. I've used it to cut cardboard, plastic packaging, zip ties, etc. No chipping so far. I had a VG-10knife chip on zip ties once.

Here's the Caly III. So far being in the box hasn't caused the CF to chip. ;)

IMG_0255.jpg
 
I HAD a Burgundy Calypso, Jr. with the ZDP-189 blade, and it chipped easily with light use. Mine was probably a fluke.
 
This darn knife keeps coming up. I was all set on getting a Mini Manix as my first Spyderco, now I'm dying to get a Caly III.
 
Lol, that is how things go enderwiggin. Did you wind up getting a spydie yet? Thinking of the Caly 3 as my first.
 
my CF ZDP Caly hasn't chipped, but I've not subjected it to hard impact, just zip ties, cardboard, flannel, food etc. the blade scratches when you stare at it.

I would get the VG10-G10 model.
 
riz_aaroni said:
Lol, that is how things go enderwiggin. Did you wind up getting a spydie yet? Thinking of the Caly 3 as my first.
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I actually did end up buying it less than a month after that post, and it's been my EDC ever since. I carry a 556 Mini Griptilian with it at work for rough chores, but only because the 556's blade is pretty deeply scratched, and I want to put off scratching the Caly 3.

I have the G-10 model, but probably will end up buying the CF/ZDP-189 model eventually. Great all-around knife.
 
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