Calypso 3.5

anthony cheeseboro

anthony cheeseboro

Joined
Aug 8, 1999
Messages
5,094
I had been checking out the ZT 0550, and I think it is beautiful, but it is pretty heavy, and everyone says its blade geometry is not good for fine slicing. This morning, I saw that Grand Prairie Knives had gotten in the ZDP 189 version of the Calypso 3.5, and I checked one out today. I was impressed, it is light and very pocketable for a knive with a fairly long blade. I could really see it as a larger EDC. I know there have been threads about this knife, but can I have some fresh feedback here?
 
I have the G10 VG-10 variety and I love the blade to handle ratio. It also has a nice thin handle and deep carry clip. Ticks all of the boxes for me! I am interested in the CF ZDP version too!

BTW, it is traditionally called the "Caly 3.5"

IMG_2311.jpg
 
The traits that jump out at me with the Caly 3.5 are the large blade to scale ratio, deep carry wire clip, sweet ergos and precision manufacturing. It feels like a well engineered and well made knife, and it is. And its good mountain lion repellent. Link.

I also would not characterize it as a "larger EDC". Everything is relative of course, but its quite smallish to medium in the pocket - in my view.

IMG_1915.jpg
 
The Caly 3.5 is probably my favorite knife. I have one of the gray, super blue steel versions, and it is a delight to slice or cut anything with. Pretty much disappears in the pocket with the wire clip and small grips. Closed it's only slightly bigger than a Delica, yet it has 1/2" more blade. I'm a big fan of the deep carry wire clip, but it does bend easily if it gets caught on anything.
 
I really like the ergos on the Caly 3.5, and I will probably get the VG-10 version because I could stand to save some money, and VG-10 is plenty good, IMO. That said, I would not mind a larger knife in ZDP-189, but I think something like a Endura is more in my budget.
 
powernoodle said:
The traits that jump out at me with the Caly 3.5 are the large blade to scale ratio, deep carry wire clip, sweet ergos and precision manufacturing. It feels like a well engineered and well made knife, and it is. And its good mountain lion repellent. Link.

I also would not characterize it as a "larger EDC". Everything is relative of course, but its quite smallish to medium in the pocket - in my view.

IMG_1915.jpg
Click to expand...

I know the Caly 3.5 is not actually large, but a 3.5" blade is fairly long and bigger than can be carried in many jurisdictions.
 
It is great knife. I carried every day VG10 Caly3 since they came out, but it was replaced with Caly3.5 due to longer blade when this knife was released. I love both knives, but prefer Caly3.5 due to longer blade. Handle size and weight almost the same. Egros and slicing abilities are outstanding.
 
The caly 3.5 is one of my favorites. It has a perfect blade size and is a true slicer.
 
Yeah, definitely get the Caly 3.5 over the 0550 if you're concerned about weight and slicing. The Caly essentially disappears in your pocket with the deep carry wire clip. It took me a long time to carry other knives again a few months after I got my 3.5 in VG-10; it was awkward seeing a bit of the other knives stick out of my pocket. The Caly is very well suited for slicing, too. Very very veryyyyyyy, well suited.

Here's an old pic that I took of my Caly the day i got it.
DSCN0687.jpg

^Sorry that you couldn't really see the knife, it disappeared, I don't know how!

EDIT: Also, why not, tomatoes red bell peppers.
caly.jpg
 
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SurfingSalmon said:
Yeah, definitely get the Caly 3.5 over the 0550 if you're concerned about weight and slicing. The Caly essentially disappears in your pocket with the deep carry wire clip. It took me a long time to carry other knives again a few months after I got my 3.5 in VG-10; it was awkward seeing a bit of the other knives stick out of my pocket. The Caly is very well suited for slicing, too. Very very veryyyyyyy, well suited.

Here's an old pic that I took of my Caly the day i got it.
DSCN0687.jpg


^Sorry that you couldn't really see the knife, it disappeared, I don't know how!

EDIT: Also, why not, tomatoes.
caly.jpg
Click to expand...

All of that tomato slicing reminds of all the sweet corn I have shucked using my Blue Manix 2!
 
bh49 said:
It is great knife. I carried every day VG10 Caly3 since they came out, but it was replaced with Caly3.5 due to longer blade when this knife was released. I love both knives, but prefer Caly3.5 due to longer blade. Handle size and weight almost the same. Egros and slicing abilities are outstanding.
Click to expand...

Roman hit all the important points. The wire clip makes the Caly 3.5 my favorite EDC. The fact that it took out a mountain lion puts to rest all those fans of sharpened crowbars. :p
 
The Caly 3.5 is one of my favorite Spyderco knives.

I plan on getting the ZDP-189/carbon fiber version too.
 
gooeytek said:
Ummm...those are red bell peppers.
Click to expand...
Oops! Looks like I goof'd!
D1omedes said:
Roman hit all the important points. The wire clip makes the Caly 3.5 my favorite EDC. The fact that it took out a mountain lion puts to rest all those fans of sharpened crowbars. :p
Click to expand...
Yeah, I remember seeing that on the Spyderco forum, as Powernoodle above posted. Glad to see some life changing use with this particular blade.
 
That Caly 3.5 is tempting the heck out of me! I had been wanting a ZT knife, but I just love the design philosophy of Spyderco's FFG blades.
 
thats a choice, you'll make everything you need with both for EDC. the caly will be more pocket friendly, it'll cut easier but if you have big hands the handle is quite thin and narrow, i got used to it but still ...

at this point i have enough knives to make compromises on pure cutting performance if i like a design, i have my share of sharpened prybars, if you keep them really sharp they'll work ok. if you need a knife to perform your everyday tasks efficiently go with the caly, if you just want a new fun edc to play with both will fit ...

that said, i love my super blue caly 3.5 :D
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I have the super blue. All the points noted above are spot on. Its a great knife - I am going to have to pick up the other members of the family as the super blue has proven that this design really is one of Spydercos better efforts. Keeping it in perspective, I do not use it for really heavy cutting tasks. That usually falls to my Gayle Bradlley or m4/s90 Manix. Or s90 Para. Or s90/m4/390 Military....the list goes on. Thinking about it, tho, I am sure that the 3.5 could handle anything thrown at it. It is a heck of a slicer as are almost all of Spydercos offerings. Love this knife.
 
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