Caly 3 in G10 or CF? price is the determination

ZippoThisKnifeThat

ZippoThisKnifeThat

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Oct 7, 2009
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so I have come across the caly 3 in g10 and the caly 3 in CF and both at decent prices.

The price difference is $25 to upgrade to the CF and laminated zdp189 steel.

what does everyone think? I realize many favor the g10 version due to the grippy handles and ease of sharpening vg10 [discontinued], but for $120 should I just go for the CF Caly?

In all seriousness here hah no "get both" or "it comes down to your opinion"

Im posting because I wanna hear yours!
So how about it? :D

edit: So what im really getting at is given the price $95 for g10 or $120 for CF which route would you go for the given prices? Are these deals?
 
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Instead of posting a "A or B?" thread every time you come across an interesting new knife, why don't you just dig around some for info and make a gander at which would suit you best. I mean that with the best intentions and a ;)

Life is short, take a chance and see if you like it. If not, I'm sure there's someone in the opposite situation who would want to trade with you. That is, if you stick to the spydies like you have been. :thumbup:

Personally, I'd take the G10/VG10. Why? Because I like it better.
 
CF/ZDP189 gets my vote. Handle grip is plenty secure for the things I'd use the knife for, and ZDP189 isn't 1/4th as hard to sharpen as people make it out to be. Especially on thin bladed knives like the Caly.
 
I am not really a fan of ZDP-189 so I would go with the VG-10 Caly 3. I have one and I love it! It is possibly the best mix between office knife and hard use folder. It's elegant lines and aesthetic appeal only mask the sheer cutting ablility of the knife. The FFG VG-10 blade is easy to use and sharpen and along with the lockback design makes this knife a great user. Sal really did a great job on the Caly 3 and it is one of my favorites. :)
 
Thanks for your input, I like to hear what everyone else is into, why, and for what price. Price is what im really aiming at here. Eventually im sure I will try both, but was curious to see how all of you would respond to these knives at these prices. How would you spend your money given the opportunity of a better deal.

thanks!
 
I was in a similar situation when the CF came out. I got the CF/ZDP and have loved it. The smooth scales are actually huge plus for me, for carry, for aesthetics, and for getting my hand past it when I reach into my pocket.

The ZDP is just a bonus.
 
I have both knives and I typically carry the g10 at work(mechanic) because the grip, ease of sharpening and my uniforms are taken care of by cintas, so if the pocket gets frayed or messed up from the grippy g10 it is no big deal. After work I sometimes carry the cf version(or one of my various other knives). I guess it depends on your situation. Although I have used my cf at work and carried the g10 after. For me its mostly the tearing up of my pockets that dictates which one I use.
 
tradja said:
I was in a similar situation when the CF came out. I got the CF/ZDP and have loved it. The smooth scales are actually huge plus for me, for carry, for aesthetics, and for getting my hand past it when I reach into my pocket.

The ZDP is just a bonus.
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wow thats a little bit cheaper than the the one I found, the prices I listed include shipping ;)

Leaning towards the zdp cf already
 
I've been put off Zdp-189 for the reasons you mentioned in your OP and also due to concerns over corrosion and chipping. I've never had a ZDP-189 blade so I may be totally off the mark, but after watching the nutnfancy vid you posted and hearing Ed Shemmp(sp?) talk about why he liked VG-10 I'm even more persuaded that VG-10 is the way to go regardless of price.

Also I really like the G-10 scales on my Caly 3. The cf on the Sage 1 is great, but I don't think I'd like the smooth cf, jmo.

Do you have any other knives in ZDP-189? If so how do you like them?
 
ZippoThisKnifeThat said:
wow thats a little bit cheaper than the the one I found, the prices I listed include shipping ;)

Leaning towards the zdp cf already
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You may have been trying to quote THG's post above mine, but in any event, the CF can be found very close to the came price as the G10 these days if you look closely. They've gone for less than $100 shipped in recent auctions.

I paid $140 for mine about 2 years ago. I am a notorious buyer's-regretter, but even at the current blowout prices I have zero regrets about paying "full" price for this. I like it that much.
 
The ZDP Caly 3 is definitely one of the knives I really hated getting rid of. I sold it to help pay for my XM-18, which I don't regret. If I had the extra dough, I'd grab another one, especially at the prices they're going for nowadays.
 
I have both and like both a lot. Of the two, I prefer the ZDP/CF version because of the CF. I like that it's smooth, won't tear up your pockets. The CF makes the knife a little more showy and special in my opinion. For the small price difference, it's definitely worth it.
 
Another vote for the CF version here. It's such a handsome knife! I know the G10 is grippier but I have plenty of VG10 blades and not enough ZDP. I'll deal with the sharpening issue but it's almost as easy as any other steels with the paper wheel setup.
 
I've been flip-flopping between the two knives myself over the past few days but ended up ordering the G10 version.
The money wasn't really the issue to me. I really just didn't care for the CF scales. They just look kinda cheesy to me, I really don't like that material at all. I like the brushed carbon on the Stretch a lot but not the smooth CF on the Caly3. That material just seems kind of "played out" to me I guess possibly because its been overused in the automotive industry. I really prefer the clean and simple look of G10. The differences in steel weren't really a big deal to me either. Both would be fine for my needs. As long as its not 420 or 440C all the "better" steels like VG-10, S90V, ZDP are just fine with me.
 
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the ZDP is a better value at the present price at CS. Just $10 more than the G10, with vastly superior steel and CF scales. Problem is it's not solid ZDP steel. The 420J laminate scratches just too easily for me - I don't understand (well actually I remember now) why ZDP must be laminated with 420. WilliamHenry got it right, laminating ZDP with ATS34. Doesn't scratch as easily as the 420.
 
spyken said:
the ZDP is a better value at the present price at CS. Just $10 more than the G10, with vastly superior steel and CF scales. Problem is it's not solid ZDP steel. The 420J laminate scratches just too easily for me - I don't understand (well actually I remember now) why ZDP must be laminated with 420. WilliamHenry got it right, laminating ZDP with ATS34. Doesn't scratch as easily as the 420.
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This is also my opinion. :)
 
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