Caly3 ZDP-189 CF. I'm impressed. But should I use it?

T

threeson

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Sep 10, 2011
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I've only owned a handful of knives over the years. Skyline, Delica, Camillus CUDA, Kershaw Blur. This Caly3 CF though, is something else.

I've never held a knife that fit so perfectly in my hand, nor have I ever held a knife with such careful attention to detail and wonderful finish. Hats off to Spyderco (Sal) for the design and a bow to the workers in Seki City, Japan who produced this fantastic knife.

Now the question is: how much of a user is this knife? It feels just so special to be throwing it into my pocket everyday. Would I be better off looking for a used Delica/Stretch/Caly in VG10 to have a beater folder (I actually don't like VG-10 all that much)?

I bought this Caly3 for a very nice price from a very nice guy down in LA, and by all rights I should use it and abuse it.

But it's just so nice:

IMAG1846.jpg
 
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You already paid for it, you ought to get some use out of it. The knife is made to cut!
 
I've got one in my EDC rotation. I don't generally do any heavy cutting, though. Just opening boxes and zip ties and such. You're right about the great design and it makes me happy to carry it. It also rides nice and low in the pocket.
 
Indeed. I sold my 2-year-old Delica 4 FFG yesterday. That knife had been a companion for everything from opening beer bottles to practicing blade defense. I didn't like VG-10 as a EDC steel though. I found I had to sharpen it too often for the amount of use I was putting it through.

The Caly3 feels orders of magnitude more nice than the Delica. With that said, I'd love to find a used Delica 4 ZDP to add to my EDC rotation.
 
you bought it sharpened. given the caly is very thin at the edge and that sharpening bevel is wide (almost at the juncture with the 420J), it must be 10 degrees per side or less. nice for slicing soft stuff with precision.
 
Use it! The caly is one of my favorite light knives. They are nicely finished and great slicers
 
Indeed, I noticed the very (low?) on the Caly. I prefer the 15-20 degrees on the angle for a daily use knife. Should I attempt to re-profile the edge with my limited sharpening skills? (I used a Fallkniven DC4, Sharpmaker, and a leather strop).
 
No, don't mess with the edge. Different blade steels can take different primary and secondary blade angles with the better steel like zdp189 taking the smaller angles and yet standing up to use better than others with larger angles. It depends on the type of steel in the blade as to what the best angle is.

Here is what my hero, Mr. Joe Talmadge had to say about knife steel. Joe is a a blademaster extradinaire and I have found his advise to be true over many years of knife ownership. No, we are not related.

http://zknives.com/knives/articles/knifesteelfaq.shtml
 
Definitely use it.
Heads up though, that laminate coating is rather soft and will develop scratches easily.
If that's important to you...
Upside is that the scratches polish out easily.
 
Hi Threeson,

I designed the knife to be used. I carry a Caly 3.5 quite often.

If you have limited sharpening skills, you might consider a Sharpmaker. ZDP is very hard. Sharpening at the 30 degree on the sharpmaker works well.

sal
 
Why would you buy a superior steel to keep safe at home and buy a lesser steel to carry and use?:confused: Would you pay the extra $$$ for a 370Z to park in your garage and drive a Prius? :confused:You could...but you'd always be thinking it would be more fun, more exciting, and better driving to switch 'em. Never mind how totally cool you'd feel...:cool:Use your best. You deserve it. Keep your second best for backup, in case the unspeakable happens. You paid for a first-class ticket-don't sit in coach!
 
I was having the same feeling as you when I got my Caly 3 CF. It is not in my regular rotation, but I took the clip off and carry it loose in dress slacks when I wear them. Makes it kind of a special situation knife.
 
Threeson, Like my signature says, EDC EVERYTHING! You don't have to beat it to death, but don't stick it on the mantle and just admire it. Besides, EDCing the knife will give you more of an opportunity to enjoy it. I know that pulling out a great knife for a cutting job always brings a smile to my face :)
 
It's not a sprint run or some rare "one of a kind." I have three Caly 3's and I carry them all. Another vote for "use it."
 
I kept mine in a drawer for a month.
I liked it, it was pretty, but it did nothing for me.

Then I decided to start using it, now I LOVE it.

They're not "scratches", they're "scars".
 
Threeson!

I agree with you completely. It feels so perfect in my hand too.


Sal Glesser said:
Hi Threeson,

I designed the knife to be used. I carry a Caly 3.5 quite often.

If you have limited sharpening skills, you might consider a Sharpmaker. ZDP is very hard. Sharpening at the 30 degree on the sharpmaker works well.

sal
Click to expand...


If Sal says use it, I'd use it! I do mine.

Congrats with the new piece. Please carry and use it.

James
 
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