Help me decide which knife to purchase next.

Cassull

Cassull

Joined
Mar 31, 2012
Messages
318
I've narrowed it down to a leaf-shaped Spyderco knife (don't own any leaf shape blades unless you count a Tenacious)

I'm trying to decide among these 4 (but feel free to add another if you think it's better):


Caly3:

Pros:
Best steel of the bunch IMO, laminated ZDP.
Very nice CF handle.
Great looking blade with a perfect size for me of 3 inches.

Cons:
Not the best lock (lock back)
I prefer pillar construction


Sage 1

Pros:
Good steel (s30V)
Nice handle material (CF)
Nice weight at 3.2 oz
Ideal blade size at around 3"
Pillar construction

Cons:
Don't like liner locks all that much, one of my least favorite locks.
Made in Taiwan (I don't mind as much if it keeps the price down, but would rather have USA (or even Japan) made)


Super Leaf
Pros:
Has my favorite locking of the bunch (compression)
Pillar construction (looks good, man)
Cons:
Pretty heavy (4.7 oz)
Larger blade than I would like
Weakest steel of the bunch (VG-10)


Manix 2 Sprint Run

Pros:
Made in USA
Sprint Run!
Ball/Cage lock (never owned one before)
Awesome choil on blade
Cons: It's pretty heavy, 4.2 oz.
Blade a bit larger than I would like.
Never heard of the steel (CTS-BD30P Carpenter Steel) what is it comparable to?)

The biggest con for this one is that it's sold out pretty much everywhere and will be a pain to find.



EDIT:

The new Chaparral is also looking pretty awesome. 2.81" blade and 2.5 oz weight. S30V steel and CF handles. Not a big fan of lock back though (but still prefer it over liner locks)
 
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Have or had all of those, Sage 1 is by far my favorite! I didn't like liner locks until I tried Spyderco's, now it's one of my favorite locks. In my opinion, the Superleaf/Manix fill a different niche than the Sage/Caly, an excuse to get one for each :p
 
Hauling said:
Sage 1 out of all those and I think the translucent blue manix weighs about 3 oz.
Click to expand...


I looked into that Manix, but didn't really like the fact that it had no liners. I know I'm not going to use the knife to pry or anything, but the liners at least give me the feeling that it's a stronger knife. Also, I'm looking for a more gentlemen's folder and CF looks a lot more classy than translucent plastic-looking FRCP.


Right now I am leaning more towards the Sage 1 or Chaparral.
 
BD30P could be considered Carpenter's equivalent of S30V. They are close in composition but there are some differences.

Among what you listed the Caly3 or Chaparral would be my pick for the role of a gent's knife. The Sage 1 is a broader knife and not as sleek in the pocket as the Caly3 to me. If you might consider a knife without a lock then you could also look at the UKPK line. S30V blade in G10, CF, or titanium. I have had a G10 UKPK for several years and it remains one of the best pieces of knife engineering I've ever come across.
 
I have the Caly and a Chaparral. Both are fantastic. The Caly is a little larger, and the blade is a little beefier. The Chaparral is certainly thinner and lighter. For a gentleman's style blade, I would lean toward the Chaparral.
 
I would pick the Caly 3. It is a great knife made to really high tolerances. So high it doesn't even need washers to be smooth. It is as small of a knife as I would want for an EDC/ gents knife but I have size large hands. The ZDP will take a razor edge and hold it and with just the occasional touch up, stays sharp for a really long time. The smooth carbon fiber is beautiful IMO, and the wire pocket clip is easy on pants. I have had one for many years now and it will never be sold.

The Sage 1 has a cutout to access the liner lock that just feels really awkward when in a non choil grip (Again, IMO. I have a Sage 2 that sits in it's box unloved because of this).

The Superleaf is one I want to get but much more a heavy duty work knife, which doesn't sound like what you are looking for.

The Chaparral looks interesting, but I think it would be too small for me personally.

Good luck making your decision.
 
The Sage1 is a really nice knife from the ergonomics to the blade steel ,I really like mine but I have my eye on the Paramilitary 2 camo


T
 
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