Calypso Jr. vs UK pen knife

J

John E

Joined
Jan 12, 2008
Messages
4
Hi- I am new to this forum and new to Spyderco knives. I just got a Delica with the ZDP-189 combo blade and really like it. I would also like something with a smaller profile. Both the Caly Jr and UKPK are available on e-bay, and my understanding is that the UKPK is derived from the Caly Jr. If you were going to get one or the other, which would you get and why?
Thanks,
John
 
The UKPK does not have a locking mechanism, it's a slipjoint knife. You can also get the Caly Jr. in the ZDP steel, if you like that steel. If you want to go fancy, the Caly3 is an updated Caly Jr. Carbon Fiber scales with ZDP steel or G10 with VG10 steel. To my knowledge the UKPKs only come with S30V steel (which is a great steel, by the way).

I own and regularly carry a ZDP Caly Jr, and it's a great little knife. The only major difference is the locking mechanism. Apart from that, they're all fine knives.
 
the UKPK feels thicker in the hand / "beefier" construction vs. the CalypsoJr.... despite being a slipjoint.....the spring tension is very "tight" on the UKPK which is very reassuring during use...tough question....no right answer :)
 
The Caly Jr. is wider across the choil area, which for me, gives a better grip than the UKPK. That said, I've been carrying my UKPK since the day I got it, and my Caly Jr.s (all 3) are back in their boxes. I like the S30V, and I grew up with slipjoints, so the lack of a lock doesn't bother me. In fact, sometimes it is kind of handy not having to release a lock to close your knife.
 
The lack of lock on the UKPK does not bother me at all for two reasons. First, as stated, the tension is very tight. It would take a major mishap to close the blade. Second, if the UKPK is gripped properly, it would be all but impossible to accidentally close the blade and cut yourself, as your finger positioned on the choil will not allow the blade to close completely.
 
Of those two, the Calypso Jr. without a doubt. If I'm were ever to carry a non-locking folder again, it would be a traditional, double bolstered stag scaled, multi-bladed slip joint. But the best knife in that size class would be the Caly 3.

Paul
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My Personal Website - - - - - - A Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting - - - - - - Kiwimania
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Spyderco Collector # 043 - - WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twsited up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
 
I chose the UKPK. As has been noted by others, the strong spring and notch on the tang/spring keep it securely open in use, much more so than traditional slipjoints. It is a little lighter than the Caly 3, and is S30V vs VG-10 in the Caly 3.

Ergonomically, I don't think there is a significant difference between the two.
 
i actually prefer the weight savings of the UKPK.....the forefinger choil and 50/50 choil are shaped slightly deeper/more pronounced on the UKPK vs. the Caly3...real subtle difference though
 
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5282681&postcount=2

Oh, and the Caly 3 is pinned right? Just don't care for that personally.

I have plenty of folders with excellent locks, so I really like the UKPK for what it is, and don't see the need to add a Caly 3 to my stable anytime soon simply because it shares the same great design, but with a lock.

"Best" is a highly subjective term. I don't think you can wrong with either in terms of quality and bang for the buck.
 
yeah Firebat congrats on the purchase.... i saw the foliagegreen UKPK available at knifecenter....decisions, decisions :rolleyes:
err....it's not showing in stock yet...
 
:D

Thanks brutha! The pics here really did it for me:

http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30055&page=12

I dunno what it is about the UKPK....but I am absolutely smitten with it's simplicity and raw, utilitarian convenience.

I know, I know. "But it doesn't have a lock!" sound the cries of many. Well, as it turns out, I don't always, and actually most of the time, need one anyway. Guess I'm not a hard user, but like I mentioned, I have plenty of other folders to step in should the UKPK's simple slip-joint become an issue.

Orange G-10 is gonna be really cool, huh? ;) :thumbup:
 
yeah, datan did a great job w/ those pix of the foliage green UKPK....the notch joint also has another stopping (pausing?) point at around 90 degrees IIRC, as an extra "cushion" of safety if the blade was to receive spine-pressure/start to close accidentally.... orange G-10 should be cool for sure :thumbup:
 
I have been carrying and using the UKPK almost exclusively for the past year. I LOVE this knife! No lock is no problem for me. I'm aware of it and I have no problems with it. Sharp as heck and I haven't had to touch it up at all. Great knife, great construction. Not something that freaks out sheeple. Anyone can open and close it (no "How do you close this thing? It's scary..."). Ambidextrous. Light, small, great clip, rides deep. I love the UKPK.
 
Chiro75 said:
I have been carrying and using the UKPK almost exclusively for the past year. I LOVE this knife! No lock is no problem for me. I'm aware of it and I have no problems with it. Sharp as heck and I haven't had to touch it up at all. Great knife, great construction. Not something that freaks out sheeple. Anyone can open and close it (no "How do you close this thing? It's scary..."). Ambidextrous. Light, small, great clip, rides deep. I love the UKPK.
Click to expand...

I share your sentiments about the UKPK Chiro75 :)
when I 1st bought it I wasn't too thrilled about it..... after all I had a grey vg10 and burgundy zdp189 CalypsoJrs to edc .... but after office-carrying the UKPK I realized what I was missing ;)
 
The Deacon said:
But the best knife in that size class would be the Caly 3.

Paul
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My Personal Website - - - - - - A Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting - - - - - - Kiwimania
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
Spyderco Collector # 043 - - WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twsited up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
Click to expand...

I absolutely agree with Paul on this. Caly3 is the best. I love this knife.
 
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