Caly 3 or Sage?

G

GhOsT1321

Joined
May 5, 2009
Messages
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Well I have been wanting to get a higher quality Spyderco, well higher quality than my Centofante 3. I have narrowed it down to 2 choices but cannot decide.
I will post what I like and dislike about each knife and I hope you can help me decide.

Caly 3 Pros
- Looks like it feels better in the hand
- Weighs less
- Made in U.S.A.

Caly 3 Cons
- Expensive for what you get, VG-10 and G-10 (I assume because its US made its more expensive)
- Pinned together



Sage Pros
- Premium steel CPM-S30V
- Premium handle material Carbon Fiber
- Slightly larger opening hole (only by 1mm)
- I prefer the blackened pocket clip

Sage Cons
- Looks like it would have less grip
- Looks like it wont feel as good in the hand
- Weighs a little more
 
I have and use both knives. The Caly 3 is made in Japan, IIRC. I've EDC'd one at work for nearly two years now. I used to think that the lack of washers and the pinned handle construction were drawbacks. After nearly two years of use, I see them as advantages. The knife doesn't need to be d/a to keep it clean (mine has also gone camping and hiking) and the tighter pivot area (no washers) helps keep crap out of the pivot.

I also find that VG10 works quite well for me in some applications. Granted, S30V does hold a usable edge longer that VG10, but VG10 is easier to touch up or sharpen and I've never had any edge chipping problems with a VG10 blade. S30V is great for a pocket slicer, but VG10 serves me well if my knife is gonna be called on for a variety of tasks in different conditions.

The Sage is a great knife, but it doesn't suit me as an EDC. My CF Sage gets a lot of dress-up carry but it won't replace my Caly 3 for everyday use.
 
Caly 3 has a very nice blade shape. I love this design. I wish (and I've expressed this wish publicly many times) that Sal would make a framelock Caly 3, with S30VIt could be dual ti slabs, or even a CF + ti or even Orange G10 + ti......I would buy a few.

I'm looking forward to my Sage 2, I wonder how I will take to it, but a framelock for me wins over a lock-back.
 
I own and LOVE a couple of Caly ZDP's but if you are open to all type of locks, the CF Sage or Sage 2 are REALLY good knives with screw construction to boot.
 
The Sage is probably more of a dress up knife then the Caly3, the latter being an excellent workhorse knife.

Of the two, I would go with the Caly3 for general edc. It can be had for around $100, which is not bad for VG-10 and G-10.
 
I have the Caly and the original sage. I dont like the ti handel on the new sage. But if i could only get one it would be the original sage. As far as its a light use knife thats B.S. it will cut what ever you want and for the price you get carbon fiber and good steal.

Sage 1 all the way.

Sixheads
 
Assuming you're right handed the CF Sage is an incredibly well built knife constructed of premium materials. IMHO, it's an incredible bargain. Most dealers only charge a few dollars more for it than for the G-10/VG-10 version of the Caly 3. The Caly 3 is an excellent knife but between the two, the Sage definitely offers more bang for the buck.

Paul
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I have both and like the Sage better.(both knives are great)
* The grip on the Sage is better, for me. It's wider, I don't care for the narrow neck of the Caly. Sage has a little more heft.
* The blade on the Sage is more useful, for me.
* The liner lock is very easy to use and locks up solid.

The Sage is the best knife Spyderco has made in a long time, before that it was the Calypso Jr. Other than that, the Caly is just fine.
 
I EDC G10/VG10 Caly3 for almost three years, since than I bought quite a few knives, including Sage and CF Caly3, but non of them was able to kick Caly3 out of my pocket.

GhOsT1321 said:
Caly 3 Cons
- Expensive for what you get, VG-10 and G-10
Click to expand...

IMHO Caly3 designed and made to perfection. Perfection cannot be expensive.
 
I have carried a Caly 3 CF ever since they came out, and it is a great knife. When the CF Sage came out, I immediately got one, thinking that it might give my Caly 3 a break from EDC duty. It was a great knife as well, but over time the Caly 3 just slightly edged it out for me. The ergonomics of the Caly 3 are a little better, and it continues to be the one in my pocket most often. I finally sold the Sage, and now have 2 Caly 3's. FWIW. In reality, they are both awesome, and you really can't make a bad descision here!
 
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