Spyderco Caly3 Variants vs. M390 Benchmade Barrage

H

Hadji Flip Me Over

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Mar 1, 2010
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Howdy y'all, I'm in the market for a sort-of gentleman's folder/light EDC in the 3-3.5" blade range. I still want the convenience of modern blades (no slippies, Case knives, etc.), but I want something that has a little more class to it.

I'm open to suggestions, but I keep coming back to the Spydie Caly3 (the damascus, Super Blue, and ZDP/CF versions caught my eye) and the Benchmade Barrage in M390 (big selling point for me because M390 is a fantastic steel and I'm very happy with it). The Caly seems nicer overall, but it's a fair bit more expensive, which is a little bit of a turn-off for me. Other than that, I like both of them a lot.

If you were in my position, which of the two (or others if you have a suggestion) would you choose?

Thanks for helping my addiction! :D

EDIT: Also considering the BM Emissary more so than the Barrage. Too bad there's not an M390 Emissary out there.
EDIT 2: Started looking at Mcusta's stuff...wow. It's a really tough pick now.
 
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Do you want a spring assist opening mechanism or not? The Barrage is spring assist while no Spyderco is so far as I know. I personally prefer Benchmade styling but tastes differ. I have both the standard and mini Barrages in M390 and really like them. Esxcellent spring assist knives.
 
the s30v on the 470 emissary is excellent and if you are looking for a gentlemen type folder it totally fits that for sure. I prefer my emissary over my mini barrage in styling and since the mini barrage is 154cm I prefer the s30v as well. the full aluminum scales keep weight way down If I remember right its 2.2 ounces and the deep carry clip is an added bonus specially with formal wear.
 
I wouldn't consider an assisted knife in any type of gentleman role. If you want a benchmade I would look into the 940/943/530/707. If you want Spyderco I would look into the Chaparral series or the Caly series.
 
Super Blue Caly 3 for sure. I'm pretty biased towards opening holes, slicey blades, and I do not like assist open knives. Add in that super fine carbon steel and I'm sold.

BM looks a little better, IMO, and m390 is an awesome steel from everything I hear. But not what I would prefer in my pocket.
 
Bm 586 is a great knife
Keep in mind that the handles are a bit thicker than what you might expect on a ~3 inch knife
 
No contest to me, I'd go with the Caly 3. The Barrage is not very attractive to me and I can't consider any spring-assisted knife a "gentleman's" folder. The M390 is the only advantage I see, but you can still grab a Super Blue Caly if you want super steel.
 
galactorrhea said:
No contest to me, I'd go with the Caly 3. The Barrage is not very attractive to me and I can't consider any spring-assisted knife a "gentleman's" folder. The M390 is the only advantage I see, but you can still grab a Super Blue Caly if you want super steel.
Click to expand...

+1 to this :thumbup:
 
You can't go wrong with any Caly, but my Caly 3.5 CF/zdp-189 is about as gentlemanly as a folder can get.
Beautiful CF, ergonomics melt in hand, super slim profile carries great, and thin FFG zdp-189 is icing on the cake.
The barrage just doesn't do it for me, although i love BM's M390.
 
I'm a big fan of M390 but not spring assisted folders. The Caly series is one of my favorite knife designs and I think the CF ZDP is a good combination of of elegance and performance. My personal favorite, however, is the Super Blue variation.
 
Just picked up the mini-barrage 586 and its great. Love the handle and the m390. I actually like the assisted opening, its actually very easy to take the spring out and make it a traditional axis lock, however I enjoy the AO. Very high quality knife. I have been waiting for the 586. The 585 was nice but not a huge fan of the handles, the 586 is great
 
I own the Caly 3/ZDP-189 and the 586 Mini-Barrage. They are both great knives, however for a gentleman's knife role I would choose the Caly 3. It's a slimmer knife with no-assist and the CF scales look great. I prefer M390 to ZDP because it is a bit easier to sharpen for similar performance but the handles on the 586 are much more stout. I removed the assist on mine because I agree with "Scurvy" it's not very gentlemanly (my opinion) to take out a knife and "thwack" it open. The SB Caly 3 would be great as well. I also agree you should look at the 943 as an alternative to the 581/586.

The Emissary is also assisted and the assist cannot be removed very easily (if at all).
 
I own a lots of calys and one 581... I'd choose the benchmade. It is a classy knife and a heck of a lot beefier. I feel more confident in my benchmade doing heavy tasks if need be, cause you never know what you can run into. But the ergos on the caly line are amazing and unmatched by the 581
 
I have all of the knives the OP mentioned ( Spy & Barrage M390). They are so different I really wouldn't consider them in the same class. Even the steels perform completely differently. I do like every one and plan on keeping them.

My only "I wish" is that I'd like to see the M390 run a bit harder. ZDP too actually. It's/they're still great though, as is Super blue,and VG10. The Super Blue is really in a sweet spot. I'd guess rc 61-62 ish.

They aren't a bit alike though other than being steel.

Joe
 
Ok, I think I have it narrowed down to the following after I've cleaned up the drool from ogling these:

Caly3 Super Blue
spy_C113GPGY.jpg


Delica 4 Damascus/Titanium (VERy perty) :eek:
SP11TIPDa.jpg


Mcusta MC-1 Corian scales
mcu15d.jpg


And then a wild card (a bit too big but still very classy), the Spyderco Vallotton
spyderco-valloton-sub-hilt-c149gp-large.jpg



I really can't decide, but unfortunately I don't have $1,000 to drop on knives at this time. :grumpy:
 
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