Carbon fiber Caly 3 or Carbon fiber Stretch II?

K

kshaw07

Joined
Dec 15, 2007
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I've been looking at both lately (now that I've saved up enough $ get one of these highly revered knives) but can't decide which one. For those of you with one or the other, or both, how do like them and what would you suggest? I'll be using it for EDC and I'm sure either one of these beauties would make me more than happy... but which one? Or, should I wait and save up and just get both?! :eek: Your comments/suggestions are very much appreciated.
 
When I look at the Stretch, I see a tougher knife. That doesn't go to say that the Caly 3 isn't tough as well, though.
 
Depends on your needs and likes. Stretch offers more traction, solid ZDP for greater scratch resistance, half an inch more blade, and the choice of TU/TD carry. The Caly 3 offers lighter weight, a more compact package when closed, legal carry where there's a 3" limit, less pocket wear, and a wire clip.

As for me, my Stretch II gets carried frequently, my Caly 3 only rarely. Have said it before, will say it again. IMHO the Caly 3 is a great knife, but the Stretch II is the best knife Spyderco has ever produced.

Paul
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Couple other differences to consider. The wire clip of the Caly 3 offers more discreet carry, it rides the knife very deep in the pocket and the dull brownish color is less easily noticed. The Stretch II is all screw construction, while the Caly 3 has a screw for the blade pivot and pins for everything else. The Stretch II also has a lanyard hole, while the Caly 3 does not.

You can't go wrong with either, they're both superb knives.
 
I have both and prefer the Caly3 for EDC. I have no problem with the Stretch II but I think the Caly3 carries a little more subdued and the blade is a better slicer due to it's thinner blade. Also, I like the more Wharncliffe type blade on the Caly3 as oppposed to the drop point on the the StretchII. Either knife is an excellent choice just my preference. Good luck. Spyderco makes so many fine knives it is hard to decide.

RKH
 
Consider usage - both will cut well, but the Caly geometry is one of the all time great Spyderco slicers. That doesn't mean it wouldn't survive at the job site, just that you shouldn't pry staples with it. Also consider your EDC environment, including legal length and perceptions. Caly is probably legal more places and more discrete.
 
I have both. The Stretch is a better "use" size for me and has a much gripper scale texture. If I had to choose just one between them it would be the Stretch IMHO.
 
I consider the ZDP Caly 3 to be the perfect secondary EDC. Where I carrry the S90V Military for most tasks, the Caly 3 is perfect when I need a little more attention to detail, or around people who wouldn't be so happy to see a 4" blade appear out of nowhere.

If this is going to be your primary EDC, I would lean more toward the Stretch II. It looks like a bigger knife without adding anything unnecesary.
 
They may be the same thickness at the top of the blade but at the edge the Caly3 is thinner. And thinner always cuts better but it is a trade off between thinness and strength of the edge. Thicker is stronger but thinner cuts better. I have a Chris Reeve Small Sebenza that has been reground by Tom Krein and it will cut circles around the former and much thicker edge Chris had put on the edge from the CRK shop. In fact my Spydercos were a better slicer than the Sebenza but after Tom had reground the blade it cut so much better.

RKH

RKH
 
I have the Stretch I and the Caly3. I carry the Stretch in my back pocket and the Caly3 up front. The Caly3 is for office and public use. I use the Stretch at home. So in my case it depends on the environment. I prefer the Stretch for it's heavier blade and bigger spydie hole. My family prefers the Stretch, but that's cause they know me. In public I don't want it seen and getting confiscated. Too bad about knife laws. Knives seem to be getting smaller and smaller for the EDCer in the 'burbs. That said, the Caly3 is growing on me. It just doesn't inspire the confidence in a blade that the Stretch does for me yet.
 
Get the stretch 2:thumbup:.I find the caly 3 to small in the hand,I like the sage over the caly 3 as well.The sage has more to grip on to then the caly 3 and the stretch 2 has a very thin and short fold up for a 3 1/2 in blade,great for edc.:cool:
 
I have both, and like them both! If you make me choose only one, it would be hard, but the stretch would win.... right now. :) I agree with the Deacon. The Stretch 2 is the best knife that spyderco has ever made!
 
DavidZ and Deacon I may have to give the StretchII another more in depth look if you gentlemen think it is the best knife Spyderco has made. It kinda reminds me of the now discontinued Worker which I wish I still had. That was a fine knife in its own right.

RKH
 
RKH said:
DavidZ and Deacon I may have to give the StretchII another more in depth look if you gentlemen think it is the best knife Spyderco has made. It kinda reminds me of the now discontinued Worker which I wish I still had. That was a fine knife in its own right.

RKH
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You don't realize the stretch 2 is the best knife spyderco ever made until you

take it home.I swear, it grows on me everyday.:thumbup:
 
Hmm... guess I'm kinda leaning towards the Stretch after all the great feedback... Maybe I'll get it first, then maybe later the Caly 3.. WHY DOES SPYDERCO MAKE SO MANY PUUUURTY KNIVES?!!! :mad:
 
One major difference between the two is how they're held. The Caly3 is held high up on the choils for controlled cuts. The Stretch is held lower, on the handle. Makes a difference, especially while closing one handed.

The Caly3 is also over an ounce lighter. It really is a small knife. The Stretch has about a third wider blade at the pivot.

The Stretch is a blade I'd use for skinning. The Caly3 I used today for cutting out a coupon on the counter of my local KFC.

Both have their place. Both for different reasons.
 
gldfshkpr said:
In public I don't want it seen and getting confiscated. Too bad about knife laws.
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I notice you live in California. Is that a local ordinance?

The legal limit for blade length for a folding knife in the state of California is 6", which is why Cold Steel is based in Ventura, but I've heard some local laws are different, though I don't know where.

I carry an Endura everywhere (Los Angeles) and I've never had a problem with cops.
 
shangchi108 said:
I notice you live in California. Is that a local ordinance?

The legal limit for blade length for a folding knife in the state of California is 6", which is why Cold Steel is based in Ventura, but I've heard some local laws are different, though I don't know where.

I carry an Endura everywhere (Los Angeles) and I've never had a problem with cops.
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3 Years ago I got pulled over on my bicycle, 500 feet from my home. I admit I was over the limit alcohol wise, which is why I was riding my bike home from the corner store and not my car. The officers took my just over 3 inch blade and tossed my bike in the trunk before driving me to house. I never saw my beloved Kershaw again. So yeah, I guess it's a matter of local discretion.
 
gldfshkpr said:
3 Years ago I got pulled over on my bicycle, 500 feet from my home. I admit I was over the limit alcohol wise, which is why I was riding my bike home from the corner store and not my car. The officers took my just over 3 inch blade and tossed my bike in the trunk before driving me to house. I never saw my beloved Kershaw again. So yeah, I guess it's a matter of local discretion.
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Ah, well, I don't know how old you are, and if you're young, that may have had something to do with it. Did you ask for your knife back when he dropped you off? Did you ask if there was somewhere where you could pick it up?

If he thinks you may pose a threat to himself or someone else, he certainly has the right to divest you of your "weapon" at that time, but if you haven't committed a crime you have the right to ask for it back, usually by picking it up at the station. You may not get it back, and few people will go to court for a knife that's not even $100, but it's not legal for the police to simply take your property and keep it for no good reason.
 
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