Practical cutting difference between Caly 3 and Chaparral?

B

buckle2600

Joined
Nov 8, 2005
Messages
9
Hey guys,

I've had a Caly 3 for years now, and it's in my top two favorite primary cutters in my EDC. I rotate a Benchmade 940-1 also. I'm looking at the Chaparral because I'm very interested in the pocket laser capability of the 2mm blade thickness. My concern is that the cutting edge length is listed as being .344 inches less. I worried that this will feel significant in every day tasks, e.g. the Caly 3 seems a tad small in some food prep at work. However, from every picture I've seen (and I've looked at this a ton) it doesn't appear to have that much of a difference in cutting length.

For those that have a Caly 3 and the Chaparral, I have three questions I'm trying to figure out:
1. How much different is the edge length really?
2. Do you notice this in the real world?
3. Which of these do you carry more often?
 
Its noticable. Don't have numbers but its definitely there. I don't carry the chaparral anymore just the caly
 
My Chaparral is a wonderful little cutting device, but I cannot imagine using it for any sort of food prep, it's just too small.

Too small to cut an apple in half, unless it's a really tiny apple.
 
The chap is good for opening boxes or small tasks. Definitely not for long cuts as the short leaf just doesn't reach.
 
Have both, carry the Chaparral almost every time I go into Greenville where there's a 3" blade limit, but I rarely carry the Caly 3. I notice the superior slicing ability the Chaparral's 2mm blade stock provides, and its compactness in my pocket much more than the fact that its blade is a hair shorter than the Caly 3's. As for food prep, I'd take a Stretch over either of them for that, but doubt there'd be many times where a 7mm difference in edge length is going to make a difference.

EDITED TO ADD: If edge length is a consideration, and there's no legal issue involved, you might consider the Caly 3.5 or the Stretch.
 
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My small kitchen knives are paring knives. The two I use the most have blades that are 2 7/8" and 3 1/8" long. The length of the edge is the same for both of them.
I never use a pocket knife for food, since it is much easier to use knives specifically designed for this purpose when engaging in food preparation.
 
Thanks for the input guys. Regarding food prep, I only use my folders at the office, where my kitchen knives aren't available.
 
After careful deliberation (what I'm calling the constant back and forth in my head ;)) I'm going with the Caly 3.5 G10 since it's being discontinued. I always carry a cadet with me, and since the chaparral is essentially the same cutting edge length, I don't think it makes sense to carry both. We'll see if I feel the same way when the bronze chaparral comes out lol.

Deacon, thanks for your input especially, very helpful. Also, thanks for all you do on several of the forums.
 
buckle2600 said:
After careful deliberation (what I'm calling the constant back and forth in my head ;)) I'm going with the Caly 3.5 G10 since it's being discontinued. I always carry a cadet with me, and since the chaparral is essentially the same cutting edge length, I don't think it makes sense to carry both. We'll see if I feel the same way when the bronze chaparral comes out lol.

Deacon, thanks for your input especially, very helpful. Also, thanks for all you do on several of the forums.
Click to expand...

I'm a little late to the thread, but I did a comparison with the Caly 3 here:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1068794-Spyderco-Chaparral
 
Excellent review.


Very similar thoughts between my Calys and my Chaparral.
I still keep going back to my Caly Super Blue though.


Oh and just wondering, I saw you mention in the review you were going to purchase a Chap 3. So did you pick one up?
Still use/carry it often?
Notice much difference in the S30V version vs. XHP?
 
Chaparral blade length is 2.80" with a 2.35" cutting edge
Caly 3 blade length is 3.00" with a 2.64" cutting edge
Caly 3.5 blade length is 3.40" with a 3.08" cutting edge



it depends on what you are going to use it for mostly


Caly 3.5 is bigger and better IMO as well

My blade measurements are directly from the 2015 Spyderco product guide
 
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I heard the the caly 3 was a better for ethos than the 3.5, I've only had the 3 wich started my love for shorter blades. If you can find one in super blue you'll never regret it. So easy to sharpen and gets very very sharp, that's one of the ones I own that I'll never part with.
 
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