Spyderco: Para 2 or the Caly 3 CF?

[JulianHayes]

Very different, the caly 3 is a great low profile edc (love the wire clip). PM2 is a tougher edc. You really need to hold them both to see what you prefer; I believe the PM2 is a great knife, but the caly 3 will carry much better, though I don't love cf myself.. both great knives, gotta decide what you want.
edit: I have a PM2 that I use well, but have been wanting a caly as the next knife since I held a few a while back. I have a ukpk in green g10 and s30 and that is my favorite knife, the feel is not far off.

 

[Peroni1973]

Had a PM2 and sold it. Carry a Caly 3.5 frequently. I know the PM2 is popular 'round here, but I didn't like it. It's very bulky (in all three dimensions) for its blade, especially when compared with something slim like a Caly. The comp lock is a fun toy but not as practical as other locks. I also didn't like the pivot system that doesn't allow you to adjust out blade wiggle, and the super course pocket eating G10. IMHO the Caly is a far superior knife.

This and Cynic's point about the 3.5 being a greater comparison.

I also had the Para 2 and ended up giving it away to a (very good) friend. I had the CF, ZDP 3.5 Caly and also gave that to a great friend. Ended up buying a replacement of that knife and later the VG10 version as something more 'workaday'. I have to say that for the me the Caly 3.5 knocks spots off the Para 2 as Random Dan says the bulk, the lock which is strong but is thin and can be sticky plus I prefer the deep-carry pocket clip of the Caly 3 and 3.5.

Of the two Caly 3.5's I actually kind of prefer the VG10 version for ease of sharpening. It certainly sees the most pocket time for me.

Ben

 

[Navyblu]

Never owned a caly (its certainly on my list) but I absolutely love my PM2. From what I understand you couldn't go wrong with either knife.

 

[Stays Sharp]

Para2 and it's not even close.

It still depends on preference though. Calys are one of the few knives in production that is ground so thin and makes it pretty much a custom level slicer. Some prefer a sub 3 inch EDC and also not have a bias against lockbacks. The handle profile of the Caly's are very nice, slim in hand and almost nonexistant in the pocket. If you can handle ZDP, it gives you a very long lasting razor edge for daily use. It's a nice gents folder dressed up in CF. I prefer and own the 3.5 versions though, again preference.

Between the two, personally its gonna depend day to day, what Im doing where Im going etc.

 

[RetiredGuns]

I have owned a dozen or so P2s and while I think they are really good knives, I keep trading them off. All of my bluejeans are proof that they are pocket shredders! I don't know about the lock on the Caly, but the lock on my Native 5 is phenomenal. Completely turned me around about lockbacks. That Caly in CF would be one slick, smooth slicer.

 

[CJZ]

It depends on what your daily setting is. If you work in a high end office and only need to cut small things like tape or food, get the Caly. It cuts like a razor with that thin ZDP blade. For everything else, get the Para. I traded my Caly because it was kind of fragile IMO. Also, I preferred G10 to the really slick carbon fiber.

 

[Peroni1973]

I'm sorry CJZ but I have to call you out on the "...I traded my Caly because it was kind of fragile..."

I know you added the IMO but how much work did you put the Caly to? I really used my PM2 and I have really put my Caly 3.5 VG10 to work on and around the farm and I have to say I think they hold up equally. Perhaps the ZDP may chip more readily but really? We're talking about folders here not fixed blade choppers.

Sorry to be a dick about this but really what the heck are we thinking that we'll be using these folders for? And if anyone says "batoning" (and "it's okay if you unlock the blade") then outside an end of the world scenario I will again call, absolute and utter bollocks on that.

It is a FOLDER.

 

[Stays Sharp]

It's the in thing to overbuild folders so you can use it as a hammer etc. for those extreme hardcore moments. But when you actually have to cut/slice something, the ability to do so is greatly sacrificed with these outrageously thick grinds. I know that many like this kind of knife and more power to you guys but a knife that excels at what it's supposed to do should not be dinged for what it wasn't built for. The Caly3 CF can skin a mule and ask for seconds.

 

[Peroni1973]

No disagreeing with you Stays Sharp. In fact that sounds pretty smart to me - make a knife that actually cuts things WELL. What extreme hardcore moments actually necessitate using a folder "as a hammer, etc.". Can't find a rock, a stone, a piece of wood to strike things with? Really?

The only negative I can find about the Caly 3/3.5 is that the back lock design needs more careful cleaning if you do use it for animal prep or seriously mucky work (when compared to a liner-lock or a frame lock). That is not to say that it isn't possible.

I have just re-read my comments and they do two key things;

1) They confirm that I am indeed a dick. Not necessarily intentionally, but true nonetheless.
2) I really like the Caly design. I'm not hung up on the individual features but the 3.5's see more pocket time than any other knife I own bar none.

Apologies for my many limitations and any irritation caused by my input on the thread...

Ben

 

[kreole]

Thanks for the pics.

Also, I should say that being made in the US is starting to be important to me. I know they both are. But a lot of other Spyders aren't.

The Caly line is made in Japan

I'm sorry CJZ but I have to call you out on the "...I traded my Caly because it was kind of fragile..."

I know you added the IMO but how much work did you put the Caly to? I really used my PM2 and I have really put my Caly 3.5 VG10 to work on and around the farm and I have to say I think they hold up equally. Perhaps the ZDP may chip more readily but really? We're talking about folders here not fixed blade choppers.

Sorry to be a dick about this but really what the heck are we thinking that we'll be using these folders for? And if anyone says "batoning" (and "it's okay if you unlock the blade") then outside an end of the world scenario I will again call, absolute and utter bollocks on that.

It is a FOLDER.

Yeah, expanding on this a bit, I don't get the claims of the P2 being a hard use folder, either, unless it's just because it has a bigger handle. Sure, it has 4mm blade stock, but it's that thick at the handle; it's the tip that most often breaks on a knife, and the Para has a thin tip in all dimensions. There are a lot of "light use" knives I'd trust for harder work over a P2. In my mind the Para is a light use knife for people who want 3" of edge but also a big handle

 

[sideways]

CF Caly 3/ CF Caly 3.5 gets my vote.

Rides low in the pocket, small footprint, solid lock up, excellent fit and finish, slices like a charm and the carbon fiber scales don't shred pockets like G-10.

The lockback design will be harder to clean though if that is an issue for you.

 

[Quillan]

What kind of environment do you live/work in? What do you want to use the knife for? Are their laws in your area restricting knife blade length? Hard to recommend anything without understanding what "EDC" means to you. Elaborate on your meaning of the word, and you may well find a multiplicity of suggestions that will better suit your needs than either of the two excellent knives mentioned above.

 

[PatrickKnight]

To me the Calys are some of the very best EDC knives Spyderco makes and I will take either a 3.5 or a 3 over a Para 2 any day of the week.

 

[Therom]

I have hesitated a lot between caly, PM2 or even chaparral and I ended with a PM2... And I have no regrets.
The PM2 is large compared to the actual blade length but it is light.
This make it easy to carry and comfortable to handle.
And the shape of the blade is IMHO very good for EDC light use.

I really like it

 

[Pigeonman]

Just got my first Spyderco last weekend. Went with the PM2 based on a lot of good reviews. I'm fairly new to knives in general but no complaint so far. Mine is stupid sharp right out of the box and the fit and finish is miles ahead of my only other two knives which are both CRKT. I'll have to wait and see how the black DLC on the blade holds up.

 

[Mikey's Deli]

I have a pretty light EDC use. I am a chef, so I mainly use Shun Global, Wustoff to name a few. But as I also run a Jewish Deli I am opening and breaking down boxes more than prep work.
I could use a $10 POS for that. But that's not the point for me.
I love to talk about knives and I want to own great knives (with in my meager financial status).
I am will be buying a new Spiderco, but I am surely enjoying this discourse.
Thank you everyone.

 

[rexromic]

Had both kept Caly 3 ,Para 2 felt cheap and too big,so I replaced it with Gayle Bradley,could not be happier.

 

[flarp]

I'd pick the Caly 3 CF over the PM2. It's slim and compact, and the ergos are great. You get about 3/8" more blade with the PM2, but it's significantly bulkier than the Caly 3. The fit and finish on the Caly 3 also feels a lot tighter than the PM2. If you need a longer blade, there's the Caly 3.5 as well (another member posted a pic above with both size Caly's and a PM2).

Here's just the Caly 3 CF and a PM2 for size comparison:

 

[fzla226]

Thanks for the pics.

Also, I should say that being made in the US is starting to be important to me. I know they both are. But a lot of other Spyders aren't.

I don't see a problem with Japan made. Its a premium feature tbh. They're a step up on the us made ones in fit and finish imo. Also back to the op. The 3.5 seems like a better comparison to the para2. The zdp and c.f. version is a real step up over the para2.

 

[Revival29]

Between the 2 I would go PM2. I think you could not go wrong either way. Buy both and sell/trade the one you like least.