Sage 1 vs. Sage 3 vs. Caly 3 vs. Chapparal vs. Dragonfly vs. Lum Chinese

[jmflem]

This is from a thread I originally posted in the General Knife Discussion forum:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1182723-I-m-on-a-hunt-for-a-new-EDC

I thought I'd post something here to hear your guys' opinion also.





My gosh this is getting on my nerves . I just can't decide which one. It's a battle among the Sage 1, Sage 3, Caly 3, Chaparral CF, Dragonfly G10, and the Lum Chinese. Here's what I've been thinking:

Sage 1: Most practical out of the bunch. Really good ergos. Just a little boring though.
Sage 3: Funnest out of the bunch. Don't like the backspacer.
Caly 3: Really good looking and good ergos. I don't like how it's pinned together. With such a nice knife I'd want to take it apart to keep it clean, especially if I got something sticky in the pivot while cutting fruit or something. It's also so beautiful I'd be afraid to use it .
Chapparal: IDK I kinda like it, don't know why though. It's a nice size. Near the bottom of the list though.
Dragonfly G10: Really good looking and practical. I really like it, but like I said, I feel like it's too small.
Lum Chinese: Pure good looks and elegance. Least practical obviously. I'd get one if it were cheaper.

I really want to buy all of them, but I can only afford one. This is getting really annoying. Help me!

 

[nccole]

I have a Sage 1 & 3, a Caly 3 CF, a Dragonfly (FRN), and carried a Chap for a week. Out of those, I would go for the Sage 3. Blue or CF, wouldn't care. It is a great knife, and has become my beater knife because I trust its lock to never fail.

 

[jmflem]

I have a Sage 1 & 3, a Caly 3 CF, a Dragonfly (FRN), and carried a Chap for a week. Out of those, I would go for the Sage 3. Blue or CF, wouldn't care. It is a great knife, and has become my beater knife because I trust its lock to never fail.

Ever have trouble cleaning it because of the backspacer (more than just dust; sticky substances)? The CF pattern is also a little weird to me. Does the CF have any texture? I thought of getting a blue g10 model and dying it black, but I think I'd like something a little more classier (the FG G10 on the DF is an exception; I think the liners add a lot to the looks).

 

[shuutr]

I really want to buy all of them, but I can only afford one.

.....yet.

Give it time. .....


If I had only one, it's probably be the Chap.

It's not too big for any occasion and is not too small for most tasks.

My favorite of the lot is the sage 3. Mainly because of the lock, but some times it stays home because it's too big.

 

[nccole]

Not really. Hot soapy water and then Q-tip it clean and dry then apply a little oil on all moving and metal parts. Dying it would be easy. The blue does get dirty, but is not too hard to clean.


Size comparison of some. The Sage 3 is a bit bigger than the other Sage's.

 

[Ken44]

You're stressing way to much over this

Just get the first one in your title(Sage 1) and be done with it.
For a knife in this size range the Sage 1 is hard to beat IMO.

 

[The Deacon]

Different strokes for different folks. I own 5 out of those six and, while I don't have a G-10 Dragonfly, I have a couple other versions it. The only one out of them that sees pocket time is the Chaparral.

 

[Surfingringo]

The chaparral is by far my favorite on your list...and that is coming from a guy who tends to like
bigger folders! I bought one for my dad several months ago and had a hard time actually giving it to him!

 

[CR33]

Sage 1... one of the greatest ever made imo.

 

[jmflem]

I'm leaning towards the Sage 1. I love my RAT1, and I think I've discovered through it that I love liner locks. I also really like the flow through design of the RAT. I really like the wide spear point blade of my SOG Aegis too. It seems like the Sage 1 is a combination of everything I like out of the knives I've tried. So as of now I am heavily leaning towards the Sage 1. But one question: how is the operation (smoothness) of the Sage 1 compared to the RAT? The smoothness of my RAT is definitely one of my favorite features of the knife. I just oiled it and it whips out FAST without much effort at all. Is the Sage at all close?

 

[jmflem]

You're stressing way to much over this

Just get the first one in your title(Sage 1) and be done with it.
For a knife in this size range the Sage 1 is hard to beat IMO.

haha I was kind of kidding about stressing out , but I am leaning towards the Sage1.

 

[this_is_nascar]

Chaparral CF, without a doubt and I've owned a Sage-1 and G10 Dragonfly.

 

[BladeBug]

I really like sage one, however I've been lusting after the lum chinese for a while now.

 

[KyleMS11]

Sage 3 without a doubt.

 

[jmflem]

I really like sage one, however I've been lusting after the lum chinese for a while now.

I think I might get a Sage 1 for practicality reasons, and in the future I'll get a Chinese for enjoyment. It's a real piece of art.

 

[jmflem]

For those of you who recommend the Chaparral, please list your reasons! I'd love to hear them.

 

[inkynate]

Out of your list, I only have the Chaparral.

Great twill cf
thinnest blade stock
urban/office friendly
ambi lock
under a c note

Also really like the frn caly3 way more than expected, but the Chap still gets used more.

 

[remnar]

I own all of them except the Lum. Love them all, but they don't all see pocket time. I find that I carry the CF Caly 3 zdp the most. The slim handle rides very nicely in the pocket and it has plenty of blade for my uses. I also carry the Sage 1 and Sage 3 on occasion. They are both very ergonomic and great for everyday use, but they take up a little more pocket real estate then I like. I agree with most of your assessment, but I wouldn't call the Sage 1 boring. The Sage 3 is the smoothest out of the 50 or so Spydies that I own, which I do find to adds a little fun factor. I think that you will be happy with any of those on your list and when you get it, you will still want the others.

btw: you can take the blade out of the Caly to clean the pivot, but you can't take the handle apart.

 

[Handwrecker]

I'd go Sage 1. I've owned all of those besides the Chaparral and Sage 1 still gets my vote.

 

[flarp]

I'd go with the Caly3 CF. Just as much blade as the Sage series, but in a much more compact knife. Fit & finish is impeccable, and it is very comfortable both in hand and in pocket.