Guidance Need: Caly 3 or Centofante 3 or something else?

M

mevsme

Joined
Oct 20, 2009
Messages
29
Hi,

I've just started getting into knives and I, very recently, purchased a Endura 4 in White, but I've found that it's too big of a knife to carry around to college classes and just daily city life, so I was looking for new knife...Something that I could EDC and at the same time use to cut open packages...boxes...basic "light/city" edc stuff. And I've been looking at the following 3 knives...IN order of preference:


1. Caly III or Centofante III
2. Paramilitary

I'm mostly looking for a lighter/lower profile (than the E4) knife that's better at slicing, better ergos than the E4, I like the E4 mind you just too big of a blade for day to day here in Suburban N. California. lol. I find most of the things I do with the E4 are open mail....plastic packages and cardboard boxes...things like cut up rope/hosing or small branches. I'd also probably start to use it to cut up small things like fruit or vegetables...small camping tasks like that. So of the 3 knives I was wondering which one sounds like it fits the bill? I'm most torn between the caly and the Centofante. I'm coming to you guys though cause I'm torn between them. :p
 
Never had a Centofante, but it looks very nice. I especially like the wharnie blade of the Centofante 4, FWIW. But I'd have to definitely recommend the Caly III for what uses you're specifying. Although the Para will do all you want, the Caly is a lower-profile carry, and IMO a better slicer due to the thin blade stock/grind. If you want to up the ante on the Caly, go for the CF/ZDP version. You won't be sorry. If it was heavier duty, outdoor uses you were considering, the Para wins hands down. But for an urbane, refined folder for lighter tasks, you just can't beat the Caly.
 
+1 Caly 3.

I have both the Caly 3 and the Centofante 3. Both have great ergos but the Caly is better imo. The blade on the centofante is a little longer but it is very thin and gives me the impression that it is a light weight knife and maybe not up to heavy use. However, that's just an impression. In actuality I imagine it will hold up to normal use fine.

I have the Caly w/ VG-10 and since I've gotten it I haven't carried the Centofante. I think the Caly is a much better knife and it will do all you listed above.
 
I would also recommend the Caly 3.

I have a UKPK, another knife you should consider, and the ergonomics are the best I've ever felt in a knife. The finger choil and downward angle of the blade makes it feel natural in hand.

The UKPK offers a deeper finger choil than the Caly 3, making it feel a little bit better in hand. It is a slip-joint, however, and offers no lock. But the spring action is very strong and I have had no fear of mine closing on me (the choil prevents that). The UKPK also is a bit cheaper and offers better steel. It has replaced my Delica 4 as my favorite EDC.
 
So the Caly3 slices better even though the Cento3 has a thinner blade? Is this because of the FFG?
 
caly3 zdp is the best slicer out of all spyderco, possibly the best of any folders actually. Another excellent choice would be Sage 1 or 2
 
I would also recommend the Caly 3. For me, it has better ergos than the D4/E4 series and I find it to be a better slicer than the saber ground D4/E4 blades.
 
The Centofante 4 is my all-time favorite Spyderco. Even though the Centofantes aren't FFG, those thin blades slice like mad. I love the cutting power and splinter-picker tip on the 4. They are light, the handles are thin and classy looking, they fit my hand perfectly, and they are very sturdy as long as you don't do stupid things like open paint cans and drive screws with them. The Centofantes are probably the most underrated knives that Spyderco makes. The price is right, too!

Gordon
 
+1 for Caly 3. Nice ergos, nice weight-to-blade in the hand...I like mine a lot!
 
LowTEC said:
caly3 zdp is the best slicer out of all spyderco, possibly the best of any folders actually. Another excellent choice would be Sage 1 or 2
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+1 Just got the Sage 2 a couple ago and am in heaven! What a great knife!
 
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I am not familiar with the Spyderco line, but I am also looking for an urban EDC along these lines for opening packages and slicing fruit. At the moment, a BM Mini Barrage 585 fills this role, but it's a bit too thick in the front pocket. I also wouldn't mind a blade a tad longer.

How does the Delica 4 G10 compare to the Caly 3. The D4 G10 appears to have an even thinner (3/32) FFG blade that I think should slice food well. Has anyone used both knives? I also understand the D4 scales are removable, which I like.

Thanks

Gary
 
Gary:

I don't have the Delica G-10 but I do have the Caly 3 and they both have FFG VG-10 blades. I imagine they would perform similarly.

Since you said you will be using yours to slice fruit you might want to consider the Salt 1. It has a H1 steel blade which will stand up to the corrosive acids in fruit better than anything else. Plus the Salt 1 is only about $50. About half as much as either the Caly 3 or D4 G-10.
 
I can't agree with you on that, I bought a Pacific Salt just for the sole purpose to cut lemon slices at the bar, could never cut a thin straight slice with that hollow grind. Sold it and bought a military instead and have been using that ever since for the last 5 years every day
 
Thanks for the information. I have never had much problem with a blade rusting, perhaps because I wash and dry them after using them, so I am looking for a top quality, good slicing knife around three inches, perhaps a little more, that carries well in the pocket. I like everything I've seen/heard about the Caly 3, except that the scales are pinned. In the BM line, the Mini Dejavoo might be an option, but I would like to try a Spyderco knife.

cgmblade said:
Gary:

I don't have the Delica G-10 but I do have the Caly 3 and they both have FFG VG-10 blades. I imagine they would perform similarly.

Since you said you will be using yours to slice fruit you might want to consider the Salt 1. It has a H1 steel blade which will stand up to the corrosive acids in fruit better than anything else. Plus the Salt 1 is only about $50. About half as much as either the Caly 3 or D4 G-10.
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military works really well as a bar knife, thing slicing great. I also bought the mini Dejavoo before the military, that knife is the smoothest folder on the market, bar none, even smoother than Sebenza by a long shot. I love the shape, the low rider polished clip, and the mild sculptured G10 handle is just artistic, loved everything about it. except that the handle doesn't carry good in pocket because of the long stick shape
 
LowTEC said:
I can't agree with you on that, I bought a Pacific Salt just for the sole purpose to cut lemon slices at the bar, could never cut a thin straight slice with that hollow grind. Sold it and bought a military instead and have been using that ever since for the last 5 years every day
Click to expand...

I guess it depends on what the specific use is. I've used mine mainly to peel/cut apples and it performs very well, though I can understand how an FFG blade might be better at extremely thin slices.

gwlee said:
Thanks for the information. I have never had much problem with a blade rusting, perhaps because I wash and dry them after using them, so I am looking for a top quality, good slicing knife around three inches, perhaps a little more, that carries well in the pocket. I like everything I've seen/heard about the Caly 3, except that the scales are pinned. In the BM line, the Mini Dejavoo might be an option, but I would like to try a Spyderco knife.
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I don't think you will regret getting the Caly 3. The ergonomics are great, good blade steel and the ffg grind will serve your purposes well. It rides very low in the pocket and the wire clip isn't real visible.

The only other thing I will suggest is that you take a look at the Sage 2 before you buy. It costs a little more, has a similar blade shape and grind so it should slice as well as the Caly 3 and it has TI scales and a frame lock (RIL). I don't have one yet so I can't give specific comparisons to the Caly but it should perform about the same. Sorry to complicate matters for you.:o
 
This has really helped me. I selected a Caly3, but I JUST ordered it. I'll probably end up selling my endura as I'm just not in love with the white color or the knife all that much. I mean I could RIT dye it, but I figure why not sell it and get another knife I love. lol. And so the madness begins I suppose. And the Cento3 is an amazing looking knife. I saw someone with one today, which is rare to begin with, but it was still pretty sexy looking. lol. And as for the Sage suggestion...Well I'll have to look into them. ;)
 
Thanks for to you letting me piggyback on your post and thanks to everyone who offered advice on Spyderco. I ordered a Caly 3 G10 for office EDC and an Endura 4 G10 for weekend hiking food prep. I figure I'll learn something about Spyderco knives and at least one them will be a keeper. BTW, I am also in N. CA.

mevsme said:
This has really helped me. I selected a Caly3, but I JUST ordered it. I'll probably end up selling my endura as I'm just not in love with the white color or the knife all that much. I mean I could RIT dye it, but I figure why not sell it and get another knife I love. lol. And so the madness begins I suppose. And the Cento3 is an amazing looking knife. I saw someone with one today, which is rare to begin with, but it was still pretty sexy looking. lol. And as for the Sage suggestion...Well I'll have to look into them. ;)
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