Caly 3 vs Delica G10

wintermute

wintermute

Joined
Oct 18, 2007
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Just curious, how do these two very similar knives (spec-wise) match up? Similar price, blade length, blade grind, steel, handle material, weight, lock, etc. Since I can't get an in-person side-by-side, I was just wondering everyone prefers and why?

As far as I can tell, the pros are:

Caly 3: nicer aesthetics, choil (which I like)

Delica G10: lanyard hole, screw construction (rationally I know that this isn't a big deal, but I like the idea that I could pull it apart if I had to)
 
I would think caly 3 would be more popular.Better ergo's, slimmer, better option like zdp/420j laminate steel black g-10handle,cf handle ect.I like both, I would buy caly 3 first though.
 
Depends on what your priorities are. Both are good knives. Caly 3, as you noted has a choil and the edge in the looks department. It also rides a bit lower in the pocket assuming you carry clipped. Delica does offer more clip mounting options, and the lanyard hole. My personal choice would be the Caly 3, since I have a strong preference for knives with a usable choil, don't carry clipped, and only require a lanyard hole on knives small enough to carry in my watch pocket, or on my key ring.

Paul
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Depends on what kind of cutting you do. I like the Delica because it has a strong blade design and a handle that's comfortable for heavy cutting. I use mine to cut fiberglass strapping and heavy cardboard. I'm sure the Caly could handle that, but it seems to be a more refined knife, more suitable to an office than a warehouse (at least in appearance).
 
OTOH, my Spyderco work knives (warehouse) are VG10 Caly 3s. Haven't found anything yet that they won't handle.
 
I have a D1 and a Caly3. The Caly seems much more rugged than the Delica eg. blade width and geometry, scales and pivot. Fits better too.
 
I have both knives and prefer the Caly 3 for its nice deep choil, FFG grind, wireclip (low riding clip too !). The action seems to be very very smooth and sharper too than the Delica.

Though the G10 variation is also FFG, and build quality seems to be very good on this.

Out of both of them the Caly 3 edges out in front for me. Try them both yourself if you are able to. If not, I would recommend the Caly 3 first.... You won't need another knife for a while :D
 
shangchi108 said:
Depends on what kind of cutting you do. I like the Delica because it has a strong blade design and a handle that's comfortable for heavy cutting. I use mine to cut fiberglass strapping and heavy cardboard. I'm sure the Caly could handle that, but it seems to be a more refined knife, more suitable to an office than a warehouse (at least in appearance).
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I've cut a number of tough things with a heavily reprofiled UKPK and Caly Jr ZDP and a slightly thinned out Caly 3 with no issues. Don't let the looks fool you. :)

I'm heavily biased because the Caly is my favorite knife design and the Delica doesn't fit my hand. I like the slight downward slope of the Caly blade when held, as well as how close the choil gets you to the edge.

They're both good knives but aside from extra clip mounting options I can't think of a reason to recommend a Delica over a Caly.
 
dalefuller said:
OTOH, my Spyderco work knives (warehouse) are VG10 Caly 3s. Haven't found anything yet that they won't handle.
Click to expand...

Like Dale said there isn't much normal usage that the Caly III can't handle. Personally I have a ZDP D4 and a ZDP/420J2 CalyIII and the Caly is a more satisfying user in my book.

If you can afford the G-10 CalyIII, I would get it first. If you don't like the knife it would be a very easy sell, or you can try to trade for two D4's:D
 
I have both. I think that the Delica is the best of these. It has better clip and better handle.
I hate low riding wire clips. My caly has got a poliwog`s clip.








"El Tigre"
 
tigretony said:
I have both. I think that the Delica is the best of these. It has better clip and better handle.
I hate low riding wire clips. My caly has got a poliwog`s clip.

"El Tigre"
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Nice pictures. I've got the Delica in FRN with the ZDP blade, and it's a great workhorse, but I've been looking for something in the same size but a bit "classier" if you know what I mean. I think the Caly in Carbon Fiber with the ZDP-189/420J blade may be just the thing.

I do like the low riding clip, but that Poliwog clip on your Cali looks pretty snazzy, too.
 
Which one would you trust to hold up better with harder use? Not abuse, but which one do you think would be tougher?
 
Man, that Caly3 looks really nice. I really like the look of the blade! I never thought Spyderco knives looked good but that one changed my mind.
 
I have a caly3 PE in g-10 and a delica 4 (non g-10). I know these aren't the exact model you are trying to compare. However, I have held the g-10 delica. I think that both of them would be a great choice. I personally like the Caly3 better because of the finger choil, the low rider wire clip. But to each their own. You won't go wrong either way.
 
Bax Axe said:
Which one would you trust to hold up better with harder use? Not abuse, but which one do you think would be tougher?
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I don't think there's a difference at all in quality in materials, workmanship or design. It's entirely a question of taste. The real question would be, which one looks better and feels better in your hand? That's all.
 
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