Caly3 G10/VG-10 vs. BRG Delica ZDP-189

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Jun 30, 2004
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Ok. Already have a CF Caly 3 which I love. Just saved $100 for a new Spyderco. Never had a Delica before. But prevailing winds seem to favor the Caly 3. So, I'm looking at a second Caly 3 (VG-10, G-10) Leaning toward the second Caly to be honest or pick up a Caly Jr. for $60 and pocket the $30! :D Already own a Poliwog, G-10 Robin, and a Starling. What say you? A Caly 3 in VG-10 or Delica ZDP-189 in British Racing Green. Does the Delica have anything over the Caly?

Verb
 
I say go Delica and pocket the $15 difference or more if you can live with a VG-10 Delica 4.

Tom
 
I own a Caly 3, and a ZDP Delica but no Caly Jr. But if I was going to another Spyderco in addition to the Caly 3 I'd go for a Centofante 4. Really nice to carry and it has a fantastic blade. A wicked slicer! You can find them for about $47, too. A bargain!
The ZDP Delica 4 is a nice sturdy knife with interesting steel, though, but not as nice a blade as the Centofante if you ask me.
I know you didn't.
My 2 cents.
Good luck!
 
I too have a Caly3 CFZDP, and I am also going to get a VG-10/G10 version as a beater, Delica simply doesn't have the sharpness as a Caly3 IMHO. I also happened to have a Calypso Jr. ZDP, and the thing is feather weight, you will find yourself constantly checking if you still have the knife on you, seriouesly :D
The down side is there is no liner within the handle so it might flex a little under heavy cutting. But then for heavier cutting you should use something like Para or a Manix anyway ;)
 
I have a carbon fiber Caly 3 and also the G-10 version with a serrated edge. Maybe try a SE Caly 3 if you are a fan of the design?

Or go for something different. For my uses, I prefer the plain edge Delica in VG-10 over ZDP. I just find the ZDP Delica a little harder to sharpen, and I think ZDP is better suited to the narrower grind of the Caly. Just my opinion though - I have a ZDP Delica and it is a nice knife that will really hold an edge, but I haven't been able to put an edge on it that will push-cut as well as the VG-10 version.

sffar has a good idea with the Cento 4 (or 3). Super knife that looks nice and has a really thin blade.
 
Out of knives , which you mentioned I have VG10/G10 Caly3, ZDP -189 D4, SE SS D4 , and ZDP Calypso Jr.
I never carryed Calypso Jr., I am not big fan of tip down carry. I carried both Delicas for a couple months, but after I bought Caly3 a year ago, I took them out of my pocket. I my book, Caly3 is almost perfect EDC, as perfect as production knife can be. I am planning to get CF Caly3 in the near future.
I would get VG10/G10 Caly3. Vg10 is a great steel, it is easy to sharpen and has good edge retention and stain resistance. G10 is a good handle material, durable and looks good. Caly3 is the great knife and if you have enough cash, do not settle for anything less.
Good luck.
 
I'd get the Caly 3. KNow anywhere I can get one for cheap?

Alternatively, get the ZDP Delica but ask Tom K to regrind. That will be a compact scalpel.
 
You should go for Caly 3. I've had mine since January this year. Although I don't have BRG Delica ZDP-189 to compare it to my Caly 3, I do have Calypso Jr ZDP-189 and Endura 4 ZDP-189. They are all good, it's just that I find that Caly 3 is the sharpest and easier to sharpen compared to those other two.

Good luck, please inform us as to your final choice.

tamirzaki
 
I have both and I do find them to be different knives. I use my ZDP D4 as an EDC work knife and I don't really mind whatever I do to it at work (warehouse). So far, it's taken everything I've thrown at it and even handled a few surprises, like falling 10 feet onto a concrete floor with no harm done.

I carry the Caly 3 as a personal EDC. It just seems a little more "refined" to me than the D4, but not less capable.

I'm really hoping that the G10 D4s coming out in '08 will combine these two knives into one package... foliage green G10 scales over full steel liners with a steel backspacer, a sabre ground D2 or S30V blade, a heavy-duty backlock (mid-lock, whatever), and an on-board 2-cup coffee maker.
 
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