Spyderco duel: Caly 3 vs Sage

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Dagon

Joined
Nov 12, 2007
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Dear all,

I have a Caly 3 with G10 handle/VG10 blade which is one of my fave EDCs. Sturdy, practical and dependable. The new Sage looks very attractive as well, but I was not really inclined in buying it as it seems so very similar to the Caly3, apart from the lock mechanism.
Well, it turns out that the dependable german Messer Magazine compared the two knives in their latest issue.

Here are their main conclusions:

- Overall sizes, blade length and weight are pretty much similar. The Sage is a bit wider and will be easier to clean as it's an open construction.
- Absolutely no play on either of the knives, the locks (backlock on Caly, a well-adjusted liner lock on the Sage) are solid and the ergonomics are similar and both excellent. Both feature extra sturdiness with 2 steel liners.
- Blade grind and sharpness were impossible to fault on both knives.
- Both handle materials felt excellent but the Caly's G10 has a bit better grip. The wire clips are pretty much the same except for the colour.
- The Caly3's blade is a bit thinner and thus a slightly better slicer but then the Sage's blade has the avantage of a bit more strength.
- The Sage's S30V steel is expected to hold an edge somewhat longer than VG10 (not that VG10 is bad)
- Somewhat better finish on the Sage: the screws and pivot are mounted sunken in the handle, while the pins and pivot are sticking out on the Caly. Not specially mentioned by the magazine, but an observation by myself is that I prefer screws over pins.
- both knives can be used for precise cutting but the steeper angle of the thumb-rest on the Caly's blade makes for a bit better control.
- Made in Taiwan makes the Sage a bit better value than the japanese Caly.

So all in all, very comparable knives, and choice will likely depend on preference for a lock method or handle material.
If I'd do it again, I think I would opt for the Sage, it has a few small improvements: nicer finish with screws, I prefer carbon over G10, and the open structure appeals to me as well. The difference in locks and blade material matters less to me, as I am very happy with VG10.
But since I already have a Caly, I don't feel inclined to buy the Sage. I will rather save a bit for the awesome Rock Lobster that's coming soon.

Comments, opinions eagerly awaited....
 
The biggest draw for me to get the Caly3 is that it sits lower in my back pocket and is a bit smaller than the Sage. I wear dress pants at work and would like to keep the knife as low profile as possible. That said, I love the sage. I have the CF version of the Caly so the woven CF on the Sage provides a better grip, but the smooth CF on the Caly3 isn't exactly slippery either. Another difference is the blade on the CF Caly is the laminate, so that takes away the steel superiority of the Sage. I like 'em both and wouldn't have bought the Caly after the Sage if it weren't for the "pocketability." That and I couldn't help buying another nice Spydie....

Here's a side-by-side pic
DSC_0045.jpg
 
I have both, and would have to say the Sage is best. The liner lock is smooth and has a wide cut-out. Also i like the textured CF alot. over all I think it feels better in the hand and it costs less which is cool too. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 
I've the regular and the cf cally 3
I just love their ergonomics, the small wide (height) at the pivot let you have excellent control just like the UKPK.
In fact I like them more than my stretch II

I do like linerlocks, I like the woven cf of the sage very much, only a shame that it's a bit wider at the pivot.

Knowing Spyderco only adds a fixed amount on production cost the Taiwan made Sage would be a better value for money.
 
I like my Caly3 CF/laminated ZDP best mostly because of the lock but also because it does hide so well with that wire clip and design. The ergos are awesome as well.
 
Is it just me or does the pivot pin look disproportionally much larger in the Caly3 or is it just the screw head? :confused: If the pivot pin is that much larger, this should make the Caly3 a much stronger/ more durable knife.
 
I have the CF Caly 3 and the Sage as well. I love them both! I do carry the Caly 3 much more, because the lockback is better for a lefty like me. So my vote goes to the Caly 3.
 
The Cali 3 is one of the best knives Spyderco have made IMO.
The Sage is great but just not quite on par with the CF ZDP cali 3.
 
The CF ZDP Caly 3 is quite a bit more expensive, the comparison was between the "classic" VG10 Caly 3 and the Sage and then the winner isn't so clear cut, in my opinion...
 
flatgrinder said:
Is it just me or does the pivot pin look disproportionally much larger in the Caly3 or is it just the screw head? :confused: If the pivot pin is that much larger, this should make the Caly3 a much stronger/ more durable knife.
Click to expand...

That's just the screw head. It's wide/low profile, makes for better ergos/pocketability since it's not recessed into the scale like the sage is.
 
Haze said:
The Cali 3 is one of the best knives Spyderco have made IMO.
The Sage is great but just not quite on par with the CF ZDP cali 3.
Click to expand...

That's true, but I think the OP was comparing the similar priced Caly3 (G-10 & VG-10 blade) vs the Sage. The CF Cay3 ZDP is a considerably more expensive knife.

Personally, when I got my 1st Caly3, I loved it & it was oh so close to being my favorite Spydie. However, I did't care for the Caly3's shallower choil, but otherwise it's a great knife. When the Sage came out, that was IT! I find the choil to be very comfortable, the handle fits my large hands very well (XXL Gloves), & of course, S30V. Admittedly, though, the difference in steel wasn't a deal breaker or maker for me.

I read about how the Caly3 rides lower in the pocket than the Sage, & it does, but I guess it's me, but it just doesn't seem to ride that much lower to make a huge difference to me.

Oh well, I don't know what the price-point will be, but I wouldn't be surprised if we read about the CF Caly3 ZDP vs the new Sage Ti frame-lock. Of course there's very different handle material, blades are different, but so are the locks. Should be interesting.
 
To me, biggest plus for the Caly 3 is that it's fully ambidextrous and the biggest plus for the Sage is its deeper choil. As a lefty, the Caly 3 wins. For the record, I have not handled the CF Sage, so can't comment on the feel of the CF, but I did have the privilege of getting to play with the Titanium RIL version for a week and was quite impressed with its overall quality.

Paul
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Yes I just had a look at the pictures of the upcoming Ti RIL Sage, and man that is a very attractive one!
 
I would just like to add my 2 cents.

I have the sage and it is one of the smoothest action knives I own. It may be considered a little on the pricey side for some but you truly get what you pay for with the Sage. Excellent steel, perfect craftsmanship, excellent design (finger choil completely round once extended). The action is so smooth it can be flipped open quite easily with just the thumb.

Regards,

Shea
 
Dagon said:
The CF ZDP Caly 3 is quite a bit more expensive, the comparison was between the "classic" VG10 Caly 3 and the Sage and then the winner isn't so clear cut, in my opinion...
Click to expand...

Same here . . .
 
Having both the ZDP Caly3 and the Sage, I would have to say that the Sage wins by a nose. For me, the Sage is more comfortable in hand and it has a deeper choil, which I like. In addition, I prefer the liner lock on the Sage for ease of one handed use.

Both are great knives, but the Sage has everything I want.
 
Dagon said:
- Made in Taiwan makes the Sage a bit better value than the japanese Caly.
Click to expand...

In terms of price or in terms of manufacturing?:confused: Japan (capital J by the way) has always been superior in terms of knife manufacturing, unless of course Taiwan recently invaded Seki City.:D

Regards,
3G
 
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