Caly3, ParaMilitary, or Manix 83mm for an EDC??? (for a noob)

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SundayBBQ

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Jan 18, 2007
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I'm new to knifes, but I have already become addicted. I'm learning a lot on her about the different steels, but it still is difficult to actually chose a knife. Currently, I own a Cold Steel Voyager (bought years ago) and I just recently purchased a Spyderco Native. So, I want some help with my next EDC.

Caly3 has the VG-10 steel
Manix 83mm has S30V.
ParaMilitary has the S30V.

Caly has a back lock
Manix 83mm has back lock
PM has a compression lock

(I've never used a compression lock, but it sounds nice)

All have G-10 handles

It will be the only knife in my pocket or on my belt (one at a time for me) but it needs to stay fairly small and comfortable.

What is the big differences between these knifes? It seems like you get less knife for the money with the Caly3, but I really don't know. They all go for around $100.

TIA
 
Sunday:
I'm going through the same thing in choosing my next one. I think its going to be the Para-military. From what everyone has said, its light, sturdy, and balanced really well. I have used the compression lock on my Yojimbo and IMO it is as good as anything. In addition, all of the G10 handles are very secure to grip (i.e. they don't slip in the hand).

my $0.02
 
Great knives to choose from, especially for a new guy. I'd say get one of them, or all of them. Seriously, you can't lose here. If I had to pick based on your situation, I'd probably go with the Para.
 
A lot will depend on how you use your knife.

The Caly3 is more of a gentleman's knife, designed for light to medium duty. In all honesty, that is more than most folks need. It is thin, narrow and light, with a low-profile wire pocket clip. It will be the most comfortable to carry.

The ParaMilitary is light but very strong, built to take hard to very hard use. It is fairly narrow but long. Some people don't care for the handle being so much longer than the blade, but it makes it much more comfortable in hard use.

The 83mm Manix is a tank. It is wide when folded to the point where it can be a challenge to get your hand past it to fish something out of the bottom of your pocket. It is noticably heavier in hand and in pocket than either of the other two. It is also the one I would want ready at hand in a survival situation. In hand it just seems to say "No problem. We can do this." Whatever "this" happens to be.
 
yablanowitz has summed it up nice.

Caly3 is not less knife for the money. It may be smaller than others, but if you're looking for small and comfortable knife, Caly3 might be the best one among three.
ParaMilitary would be tad bit too long, Mini Manix would be too beefy, though both are fine knives and not overly big.
I would suggest to handle them in person if possible. (much too obvious suggestion?)

Caly3 is smaller then Native you own. Mini Manix is bigger and thicker than Native. Para is slim but longer.

My money is Caly3 for small, general utility folder for EDC. Mini Manix would be second, it at least gives similar look and feel to Native, I'd say. Para, I can't say for sure because I only handled it a couple of few times at the shop.
By the way, I used to carry regular Military, it's big but comfortable. ;)

Oh, Mini Manix feels quite hefty and heavy in hand, but feels more comfortable in hand than Native somehow.
Between Native and Mini Manix, I would go for Mini Manix, though it's quite more money.
 
Caly3 is the great knife. I EDC it for four month and I love it. It is hard to imagine for me better EDC, probably Persian as good as Caly3. Quite different, but as good.
Mini-Manix is a great knife as well, but I do not need anything like it for my every day life. All depends on your needs.
 
Thanks for all the help guys.

I think I'm going to stick with the Native for my EDC since it's not too bad to carry around all the time. I'm going to go ahead and get the Mini Manix or regular Manix for outings and whatnot, and to keep in my truck. Then, later down the road, I'll get the Caly3 to (probably) replace my Native.
 
Sounds like your mind is made up, but just in case it's not, I'd highly recommend the para. I love the compression lock, the ergonomics are excellent (of course, they're really great in every knife in your lineup)...I suppose lock will decide the debate about PM vs other two. I think the compression lock is great and don't like lockbacks, definitely give one a try.
 
I have a large manix and as beautiful as it is, it's too big for me to carry or handle. It's a very substantial knife. When I have the cash I am looking into a caly 3 for sure.
 
I'm with Artfully Martial, the Para is my second favorite knife after my 710, It feels great in hand and It's probably my best slicer.

With the other two you won't go wrong neither, if you can, handle the three and the choose the one you like more.
 
I back up my Manix with a Native and it is a great combo. The Native won't attract as much attention either in public. Like all have said, the Manix is big but if that's what you need then best to have it.

I carry my Manix tip up in my right pocket with the blade inward. It nests in my jeans well that way and I use a lanyard to retrieve it.
 
Just an add on to Yab's post:
The grind on the Caly 3 is also different (assuming that it is more or less the same as on the Caly 2) than on the other two knives. It is ground thinner (both spine width and with behind the edge). It will make the best cutter of the three, even though Spyderco sharpness will be the same (and very high) on all three.
 
I do not personally care for the ParaMilitary. The Caly 3 IS a great knife, nice EDC size. I would suggest that. YES, the Mini-Manix IS a fantastic and it IS a tank of a knife. But, I thik the Caly 3 is better suited as an all around EDC knife.
 
Caly III is a great EDC knife, can't go wrong with it. Just the right size unless you are into slaying dragons.
 
TheKnifeCollector said:
I do not personally care for the ParaMilitary. The Caly 3 IS a great knife, nice EDC size. I would suggest that. YES, the Mini-Manix IS a fantastic and it IS a tank of a knife. But, I thik the Caly 3 is better suited as an all around EDC knife.
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I can't wait to upgrade my EDC, so I think I'm going to go with the Caly3 then later I'll get something a bigger. I really want to try out the compression lock, yet I also really want to try out the VG-10. I guess the compression will just have to wait.

Thanks for all the input. My mind is still not 100% made up, so any more input would be greatly appreciated.
 
Whitedog said:
Caly III is a great EDC knife, can't go wrong with it. Just the right size unless you are into slaying dragons.
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I disagree entirely. I de-animated a dragon just yesterday with my Caly3 and had no probems, although I could have used some grooves to control blood spray....:)

On a serous note. The caly3 has been my constant EDC since I got it. Perfect for day to day utility.
 
yeah the caly3 by far is the best edc knife currently...it just cannot be beat...perfect size....perfect weight...tight build quality...no blade paly whatsoever
The handle lets you grip the WHOLE thing not just 2/3 of it like many common edc's are made. (mini grip for ex. handle is small enough as it let alone the fact that the handle hump cuts off your grip by 30 percent)
get a caly3 ASAP you can and will not be disspointed in any way...its so close to perfect..you have to have one in your possession to truly understand how nice this knife is...get one and dont look back...you wont need to...
 
drewskie28 said:
yeah the caly3 by far is the best edc knife currently...it just cannot be beat...perfect size....perfect weight...tight build quality...no blade paly whatsoever
The handle lets you grip the WHOLE thing not just 2/3 of it like many common edc's are made. (mini grip for ex. handle is small enough as it let alone the fact that the handle hump cuts off your grip by 30 percent)
get a caly3 ASAP you can and will not be disspointed in any way...its so close to perfect..you have to have one in your possession to truly understand how nice this knife is...get one and dont look back...you wont need to...
Click to expand...

Back from the dead :eek:

This thread is over half a year old. . .

I'm sure SundayBBQ has made up his mind by now, or even more likely, has managed to buy all three knives already :thumbup:
 
I have an FRN Native & an FRN Calypso, and am anxious to try the Mini-Manix...wish they made one in full serrated instead of combo-edge...I prefer my folders fully SpyderEdged, and my fixed blade knives plain edged...
 
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