Chinese Folder vs Caly 3

S

Scorpius711

Joined
Jan 1, 2004
Messages
31
Which folder would make the best for opening the mail and packages? If you had to choose between the Bob Lum Chinese folder and Caly 3, both blades being in ZDP 189. Also I know Bob Lum has passed and that knife is discontinued, but they are still a few on ebay.

I was curious which one was thinner at the edge, and which had the best handle ergonomics.

Currently I am using one of the old Syderco Wegner designs, but wanted to switch to a flat ground, thinner blade.

Thanks,

Troy
 
The Lum looks like more of a collector's piece than a real user. I may be wrong, however, since I don't own one.

Neither do I own a Caly 3, but I've heard MANY great reviews of the knife. People love to EDC their Caly 3 and when users come here and ask for recommendations, the Caly 3 is almost always at the top of the list.

My two cents. ;)
 
Not knowing anything about the lum folder, I looked it up and found one on ebay. Judging by the picture I don't know how practical it would be for general use. It would probably do great for opening packages but wouldn't you have to hold it upside down to open a letter?

I own a Caly 3 and it is a great knife. I have the one with VG-10 and G-10 handles. The blade tapers to a very fine edge and it is an excellent slicer and very comfortable for both push and pull cutting.

You'll have to make up your own mind but I don't know anyone who regretted buying a Caly 3.

Let us know what you decide. If you get the Lum post a review and some pics.
 
The Caly III is a much better knife, in my humble opinion. The Lum Chinese just doesn't have the same feeling of a quality knife somehow... it is very light but the finish on mine had some blemishes and the aluminum felt "cheap". It also is very easy to slip over the end of the handle and onto the blade.
 
I have the ZDP-189 Lum and the VG-10 Caly 3 in PE. My LUM sits in my safe while I use to EDC my Caly 3. The caly hands down has the better ergos and will work better for an EDC IMHO.

:thumbup:
 
I don't have a Caly, but I love my Lum Chinese. Only problem with it is that it's too pretty.

Comfortable handle, nice thin blade by Spyderco standards, great slicer...
 
I have both a caly jr and ukpk and they both are awesome for letters and boxes. I have a lot of knives and the two I just named are the best at those chores.
 
The Caly 3, at least for letters, but only because it lacks the "spanish notch" cutout between the edge and the tang. The Lum's blade shape tends to direct things back toward the notch, where they snag, unless you cut with the first inch or so of the blade.

Paul
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I don't have a Caly3 but my ZDP Lum is amazing.

I think we should separate between an "ethnic" design and a "modern" one. A design like the Caly3 is meant to fit your hand so you can really white knuckle it. A design like the Lum is meant to be classy with ergonomics a secondary feature.

The blade on the Lum is wider and longer than the Caly3. The handle is also slimmer in the pocket and shorter (again, not paying to ergos has a benefit sometimes). The blade is VERY smooth with a very slick liner lock. It's also about an ounce lighter than the Caly3 in G10.

The Caly3 is a superior tool for most everything else. I don't buy that it's a "better slicer" as everyone praises it up and down. The tip is actually thicker than a Delica FFG seen in this pic I found on the Spyderco forum:

http://www.spyderco.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=11061&d=1211985973

Original thread : http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33608&highlight=delica+ffg&page=2

Technically a similar sharp Lum *should* have a better slicing blade. It's wider so the FFG process is more gradual. The fact that it's ergonomics aren't on par means you can't put as much energy into heavy tasks as comfortably. THIS directly translates to how much force you can comfortably exert on the handle and how well it performs.

I think they are both great knives just different philosophy. If you like heavier ergonomic blades with G10 the Lum will feel light and cheap. It's definitely far from fragile.
 
I have been debating for a long time about trading in my new vg10 lum for a CF Sage . My Caly 3 g10 and sage get the most pocket time . So much that i am going to trade in my Lum on a back up Sage 1 .

Caly all the way....
 
Caly3, even more I would go for VG10/G10 Caly3. No extra cost, easy maintainence.
 
Snagblade said:
Technically a similar sharp Lum *should* have a better slicing blade. It's wider so the FFG process is more gradual.
Click to expand...

You have to consider the angle of the flat-grind. The Caly3 is much thinner behind the edge. I don't have a measurement but I own the Caly3 and I did own the Lum.
 
Ok a Caly 3, it will be.

Now should I get the VG10/G10 or the ZDP-189/Carbon Fiber handle? Mmmmm, never owned a carbon fiber handle Spydie before.
 
In my book Caly3 VG10/G10 is much better. Less expensive, easier maintainence, gripier handle. On CF outer layer of blade 420J2 scratches easy (not a good thing, also I absolutely hate uneven laminated lines.
 
Caly3 all the way, great EDC slicer, fantastic ergos, simplicity itself. My favorite version is the G10 /VG10 fully serrated.

As for the Lum... never found any attraction in it.
 
Ok, so my local knife shop does not have the Caly 3 in stock. However they do have the UK Pen Knife and the Urban, how do these compare to the Caly?

Troy
 
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