Spyderco Caly 3, ZDP-189 any reviews?

AR fan

AR fan

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The subject line pretty much sums it up. Any experiences good or bad would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
 
My Caly 3 is VG-10/G-10, so it's slightly different than the ZDP-189/CF version, but the one I have is top-notch in every category. It's as sharp as you'd expect a Spyderco to be (very sharp) OOB. The F&F is perfect. The stainless has a nice, even shine to it and the G-10 scales are flush fitted all 'round. The lockup is nice and solid, the blade is centered when closed and has no play when locked open.

I really hadn't intended to buy that one when I was in the shop. After I had handled it, however, I took it and skipped the one I had gone in to get. I use it now for a dress carry on weekends.
 
When I got mine I noticed some edge damage on it. It looked like the edge had rolled in one spot. Despite the slight damage, I believe it is the sharpest knife I've ever taken out of a box. I don't have any knife that can do this like my ZDP-189 Calypso Jr. can: push cut into a foam or Styrofoam packing peanut without so much as causing the peanut to deform or flex from the weight of the blade. It just sinks right in without crushing the foam.

I still haven't gotten around to EDC-ing the knife. I just can't bring myself to actually use it because I want to preserve it as a specimen. Whenever I get a new knife, the first test I do is the push cut into a packing peanut. So far none of my new knives can do it like the ZDP Caly Jr. It's truly a scalpel disguised as a folding pocket knife.
 
All good. Great ergonomics, and nice wide flat grind. Easy to sharpen, takes a while to dull, and it just about disappears in your pocket with the low-rider clip. Spyderco hit a home run with this one!

It was one of the sharpest out of the box knives I've ever owned.
 
My favorite knife next to my small sebenza. It is a great (perfected?) design and very well made to boot.
 
all great except the damn 420J laminate is too soft - scratches so damn easily. I personally think Spyderco should have gone for full ZDP189 here. was it a cost reason? it's perplexing cos the Endura and Delica ZDP189s are less than half the price of the Caly 3 ZDP and they feature full ZDP blades.
 
Thanks for the all the responses. I decided to order the Caly 3, Carbon fiber, ZDP-189. The knife sounds like a winner.
I'm disappointed that they are all laminate blades, I thought the FRN were laminates and the Carbon fibers were solid. Thanks everyone, Jeff
 
Solid ZDP requies a laser to cut out the blade. Laminates are used where the maker does not have access to a laser. Laminates are used so a stamping process can be used to cut out the blade.

Hi Spyken,

The Endura nd Delica ZDP are using injection molded handles. The Caly 3 is using skeltonized stainless liners and buffed carbon fiber scales. Surely you can see the cost of manufacturing differences.

sal
 
Sal, I've seen ads for ZDP laminated to ATS 34 instead of 420. I would expect the cost of the laminate to be substantially higher. I also imagine scratch resistance would be higher.

Machining would probably be more difficult also. I was wondering if you have any experience with this laminate and wether it can be blanked, etc. Ie:, all the reasons you would chose the laminate and not the Solid, laser cut blade.

So far I've only seen William Henry and Rockstead using this laminate, which says a lot as far as cost. Joe
 
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