Purchasing first Spyderco

dc50

dc50

Gold Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2006
Messages
6,308
Hi Spyderco's After reading many of your post's, I have decided to take the leap and order my first one.
It appears that a good place to start would be with a Delica C11PBK approx price $49 to $59.00 which is a decent cost.
The dilemma is, what really attracts my attention is the Caly 3 Folding Knife C113GP approx price $129.00 a difference of $70.00
The question is, why the large cost spread?:confused: Should I buy my first Spyderco Delica? and always wonder about the Caly 3 and eventually end up buying one anyway. Or just go for the Caly 3 and not start with the D :) Save money in the long run and be happier.
I really would like your help on this, as my wife is getting tired of hearing this is the last one EVER ;) Thanks..Dave
 
You shouldn't be paying $129 for a Caly III. I got mine for $85 NIB. You just need to do some searching, and you should be able to fine dealers selling for around $100 and willing to ship to Canada.

Whether or not it's worth it, that's up to you to decide. I have both knives, and yes, you probably will end up getting both ;)
 
i just bought my first one a couple days ago....should get it next week...i too got one because of this forum and how well everyone seems to ejoy their knives.....i have got a few crkts,bucks,cases, and one sog...and i'm only 19!!...but its better than drugs, just not cheaper......i went with the endura because i plan to actually use it, but if this is the last one ever ;)....just go with the caly.....you get what you pay for is the first thing that comes to mind
 
To my eye the Caly-3 has a more attractive blade profile - by attractive I simply mean visually pleasing. The shape of the blade looks a lot like a nice kitchen paring knife. The smoother curves contrast with the sharper/triangle appearance of the delica's blade.

I suspect there isn't a big difference in performance though - both being VG10 and same size. I've had two delica's (lost them both :( ). One serrated, one plain edge. I really loved those knives. In fact I would have bought another one last weekend but the shop I frequent didn't have any in stock. The shop did have the Endura - which I handled and found much to large for my taste in a folder.

Ever thought of geting a delica and a salt? Everyone loves the salt for its bulletproof corrosion resistance. Just the ticket for sticking in your sweaty old gym bag, tackle box ect. The two together are still cheaper than your Caly-3.

Good luck on your decision.
 
Ludwig said:
You shouldn't be paying $129 for a Caly III. I got mine for $85 NIB. You just need to do some searching, and you should be able to fine dealers selling for around $100 and willing to ship to Canada.

Whether or not it's worth it, that's up to you to decide. I have both knives, and yes, you probably will end up getting both ;)
Click to expand...
Your so correct, on buying one for less money State side..which I do with all knives hunters etc. It's just when you try to get any type of folder through Canada Customs,
they do the wrist flip, and if they think it is any type of gravity feed knife, they confiscate it. I have lost three different liner locks, with a thumb stud and not even power assisted ..so I have to pay a lot more, up here..to get the same thing.
 
kgd said:
To my eye the Caly-3 has a more attractive blade profile - by attractive I simply mean visually pleasing. The shape of the blade looks a lot like a nice kitchen paring knife. The smoother curves contrast with the sharper/triangle appearance of the delica's blade.

I suspect there isn't a big difference in performance though - both being VG10 and same size. I've had two delica's (lost them both :( ). One serrated, one plain edge. I really loved those knives. In fact I would have bought another one last weekend but the shop I frequent didn't have any in stock. The shop did have the Endura - which I handled and found much to large for my taste in a folder.

Ever thought of geting a delica and a salt? Everyone loves the salt for its bulletproof corrosion resistance. Just the ticket for sticking in your sweaty old gym bag, tackle box ect. The two together are still cheaper than your Caly-3.

Good luck on your decision.
Click to expand...
I've had two delica's (lost them both
kgd..That's a bummer,losing not one, but two..I think you need to tie a big ole lanyard on
with a GPS unit attached ;)
 
Hi there BD. I think the majority of the price difference is due to the fact that the Caly is made in the US while the Delica is made in Japan. Also, the G-10 handles probably add a bit to the cost. *EDIT* Just found out I was wrong here. . . Both knives are made in Japan.

I don't think you would be unhappy with either knife, but there are some significant differences:

The Caly has a flat ground blade which makes it a great slicer. It also sports a choil which is an advantage to some, a disadvantage to others. Lastly, it has a low profile wire clip which makes it a bit less noticeable in the pocket.

The Delica obviously has the price advantage, and may have a slightly stronger blade. It also has stainless steel liners which I don't think the Caly does, but I could be wrong.

I don't own a Caly 3 yet, but it's pretty high on my "want" list. I do own a D4W and I love it. . . a very well made knife and feels good in my hand.

If you look around a bit more you should be able to find some better prices on the Caly 3, New Graham Knives has them for $96.85, and you may want to take a look at the Caly Jr for $66.10. *EDIT* just saw your post about being in canada, so disregard this, except for the part about checking out the Calypso Jr

Lastly, when you buy a Spyderco, don't ever say it's the last one ever. I can almost guarantee you'll want at least a couple more, or maybe more like a couple dozen! ;)
 
tricker said:
i just bought my first one a couple days ago....should get it next week...i too got one because of this forum and how well everyone seems to ejoy their knives.....i have got a few crkts,bucks,cases, and one sog...and i'm only 19!!...but its better than drugs, just not cheaper......i went with the endura because i plan to actually use it, but if this is the last one ever ;)....just go with the caly.....you get what you pay for is the first thing that comes to mind
Click to expand...
tricker..good man better than drugs is correct! Drugs may be cheaper one hit at a time..but
it, doesn't take long to surpass the cost of a $100.00 knife.
 
Salamander,Thanks! some very helpful points to consider..esp. the choil as some of my small hunters have this addition and I like that.
 
Bus Driver said:
tricker..good man better than drugs is correct! Drugs may be cheaper one hit at a time..but
it, doesn't take long to surpass the cost of a $100.00 knife.
Click to expand...

haha....well yeah so i guess all around the main point of this forum is to explain that..... knives > "x"
"x" can be whatever you tell someone to explain to them the reason you have "n"
"n"= the number of knives you have, and "y"
"y"= well you make up why, just an excuse to try to explain you addiction
addiction=passion which is probably more healthy sounding
......sorry...the name bus driver made think of school so i had to do this complicated formula of a knife collectors theory of realitivity
 
tricker, no just an ole 60's dude here :cool: that loves knives,it might have something to do with being a meat cutter for some 38 years.
Now I drive tourists and soon skiers from the Calgary airport, to Banff National Park.... Peace
 
Beautiful country! We went to Banff for our honeymoon...drove ourselves though...

Start with the Delica, then treat yourself to the Caly later! :thumbup:
 
Start with the Delica, then treat yourself to the Caly later!
That's most likely,the best approach,I sure am glad to hear you had a good time in Banff. Yes there are a lot of Texans,that come up..in the winter for skiing and
Beer;) Darn good tippers to!..then I can buy more knives from the USA:D..as they say what go's around comes around.
 
Salamander42 said:
Hi there BD. I think the majority of the price difference is due to the fact that the Caly is made in the US while the Delica is made in Japan. Also, the G-10 handles probably add a bit to the cost.
Click to expand...

I don't know about that. I just checked my Caly and it says Japan on the blade. Please don't tell me I got a counterfeit. . .
 
Ludwig said:
I don't know about that. I just checked my Caly and it says Japan on the blade. Please don't tell me I got a counterfeit. . .
Click to expand...

Nah, probably just my mistake, or possibly some versions are made in the US and some in Japan. I saw one with the little mountain looking etching on the back side of the blade (opposite of the spyder) and I thought I had read that only knives manufactured in Golden sported that. (I think it's actually a stylized "SG" for Sal Glesser) Anyhow, I'm sure one of the collectors or someone with more reliable info than mine will come along before long and let us know for sure.
 
The Caly 3 is a Japanese knife. All the VG10 ones are, IIRC. You did see Sal's monogram on the back because he's the designer of the Caly 3. Eric has his monogram on the blades he's designed,also.

The Caly 3 is a very different knife to use and sharpen from the D4, IMAO. I use a D4 at work and sometimes EDC a Caly 3. The Caly is a better slicer, as someone has mentioned. The D4 is a very rugged knife. I've dropped mine onto a concrete warehouse floor more than once with no harm done. It's also pretty comfortable for me to use, but that's an individual thing.

Many of us that have several Spydies started with something like a Delica, Endura, or Caly Jr. and found that we just had to have more. Either knife will do just about anything you could want a folder that size to do. Both knives are capable of stepping up into the next usage category from time to time. I've heard of people taking long trips into the bush with just a Delica or Caly 3 for a folder. And both knives have seemed to be pretty acceptable in settings where "PC" is a must.
 
I would bite the bullet for the Caly if thats the one you REALLY want I used FRN for a long time, but soon as I got my first G-10, there's no looking back. This is taken into account that you're in your 60's, time for some finer things!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top