Which is best EDC? Paramilitary, Delica, or Calypso Jr.

S

Spydiefan04

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Jan 8, 2005
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Although I have all sorts of large folders I stick to Spyderco's of ~3inches for EDC, been carrying a plain edged FRN VG-10 delica for years. BUT with the all new Delica around the corner, and the ZDP-189 Calypso Jr. out there and the Paramilitary, I've been thinking about getting a new EDC Spydie. I was wondering which one of these three you guys would think would be the best EDC and why. I usually prefer a tip-up lockback but I must admit the paramilitary has me interested. What do you folks think?
 
The Para is a terrific knife, but it somewhat outclasses the others you ask about. I've had a Delica and sold it. I had a VG-10 Calypso Jr. and sold it. I now have the ZDP-189 Calypso Jr. and I'll keep it, I think. I don't think though that I'd ever sell my Paramilitary. I bought it from a guy who just couldn't get used to tip down. I'm adaptable, so it works for me.
 
I've got a Para and a Delica, and I had a Micarya Caly Jr. If you don't mind carrying the larger handle around, the Para is in another class, like sheltot says.

In the end, it depends on what you value in a knife. The Delica does it all in a small package. The ZDP Caly is a pocket scalpel. And the Para is a significantly larger, sturdier cutting machine.
 
Nothing but good about the Para.:thumbup: It's my favourite EDC at the moment. I have the SE. Cuts like a demon.:eek:
 
If you really prefer tip up carry, want something a bit more elegant looking than the Delica, and actually need to keep the blade under 3" for legal reasons, rather than just personal preference, you might wish to consider holding out a bit longer and grabbing the new 75mm Persian when it is released. The Paramilitary, from all reports is a great knife, but is both tip down only and just enough over 3" to red flag it in some areas. If the 3" limit is flexible, you might want to take a look at the Stretch. It offers a full range of carry options and a blade over 3/8" longer than the Paramilitary in a 1/2" shorter handle.
 
Shmackey said:
In the end, it depends on what you value in a knife. The Delica does it all in a small package. The ZDP Caly is a pocket scalpel. And the Para is a significantly larger, sturdier cutting machine.
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I'm sometimes not really sure how much sturdier a knife like the Para is. After all, it's usually the blade that goes before the handle, even with FRN handles. I may be wrong there, but all other things being equal (especially blade shape, thickness and steel) the main difference between a knife with a G10 handle and one with an FRN handle seems me to be more psychological than real.

Hans
 
IMHO, the Para is one of those Spyders that once you get it, it's there for good! I've been bonding with my Para the past few days and highly recommend it. Of course there's always pros and cons, the handle is a little on the large side, but makes for a fantastic grip. If size in pocket is a big issue, you would be happy with the Caly Jr.: Very light carry, lots of cutting power! I do have to agree with the Deacon on the Stretch it is a very economic knife when it comes to size and cutting power. If I did not have to follow a 3 inch law, I would give it a shot. Hope this helps some!
 
The 3-in rule is really not a problem I used to carry a SS handled Police (it's legal most places I go) but stopped due to freaking people out, haven't had those responses with the delica. Though if a flat-ground G-10 handled Police were to return I'd have a hard time not carrying IT:D . How heavy is the Para relative to the delica?
 
Habeas Corpus said:
I may be wrong there, but all other things being equal (especially blade shape, thickness and steel) the main difference between a knife with a G10 handle and one with an FRN handle seems me to be more psychological than real.
Click to expand...

The Para has nested steel liners though.
 
Shmackey said:
I've got a Para and a Delica, and I had a Micarya Caly Jr. If you don't mind carrying the larger handle around, the Para is in another class, like sheltot says.

In the end, it depends on what you value in a knife. The Delica does it all in a small package. The ZDP Caly is a pocket scalpel. And the Para is a significantly larger, sturdier cutting machine.
Click to expand...


Agreed here - I have a Gray Caly Jr instead of the Micarta one. I also agree the Para is in a very different class. For the things that I do during the week, the Delica and Calypso "get it done". I bring the Para when I have heavier workloads like knocking down server boxes, etc. The oversized handle really pays off here. I carry several folders with me constantly, so the para is not usually with me. I've given thought about carrying it in my Maxpedition Fatboy Jumbo, instead of my Buck/Strider (maybe I should carry both:D ) but haven't done that yet. Would I ever get rid of it? No:)


- gord
 
Caly Jr. packs it for me well. Had a Delica some time back, but dont consider it better as Caly Jr. No Paramillie in my collection, cant judge that.
 
Yet another consideration is that the limited Delica will come out with ZDP, so it would be like combining two of the three knives you are considering into one...hard to beat that. ;)
 
My recommendation having owned and carried all of the knives you are asking about... get an SE para and whichever of the other two feels better in your hande. The vg10 or the zdp189 in plain edge are slicing/fine work demons and either of them is small and light enough to carry as a secondary knife. The para is burly enough to handle any normal cutting tasks and small/thin enough to carry very easily. The FRN knives are also easily set up for left hand carry making your life even easier.

The para and a SAK have been my edc combo for a while now except that I just got a... flat ground g10 police which I have been trying out for the past few days;-)> Honestly it isn't going to replace the para cuz I prefer serrations for general daily use but it is an awesome knife.
 
They are all great knives. If I had to pick between those three I'd be hard pressed to pick the CJ over the Para Military at this time but both would need a clip flip before I carried either of them.
 
I have carried the PARA for a few months now (both PE & SE) and I think that these knives fill all of my needs for EDC. The $100.00 price point on these production folders is an outstanding value.
CHEERS
 
I go from more of a self-defense school of thought for EDC knives. I simply don't carry blades with mean sounding names like "paramilitary" or "uberninjadeathfangjihad2000". Last thing i need is the DA holding up a knife in court that has a "designed to kill someone" name.

I carry a waved endura. Endura is a fairly innocuous sounding name. Easy to play off as "i was just lucky to have my utility knife with me when i was attacked."
 
The Para is in a different class than either the Delica or the CJ. The Para is for me a much better EDC just because it is a size that can do much more. Being bigger, it can be used as a self defense knife if need be. The Delica and CJ are not big enough or strong enough to be used as a last ditch SD knife or a hard use knife.

My vote goes to the Para hands down for what I want an EDC to do. If I wanted a smaller EDC, it would be a hard pick between the Delica and the CJ. Both are nice but the CJ is just a little better designed for some tasks. I would take the CJ because I think it is one of the very best knives in that size range.
 
Spydiefan04 said:
Although I have all sorts of large folders I stick to Spyderco's of ~3inches for EDC, been carrying a plain edged FRN VG-10 delica for years. BUT with the all new Delica around the corner, and the ZDP-189 Calypso Jr. out there and the Paramilitary, I've been thinking about getting a new EDC Spydie. I was wondering which one of these three you guys would think would be the best EDC and why. I usually prefer a tip-up lockback but I must admit the paramilitary has me interested. What do you folks think?
Click to expand...

I have never had a Delica, so I can't comment about that knife in any blade steel. For the last several years I have rotated my Native I, Para and Caly Jr. Very recently I have added an Ocelot to that mix. You haven't said why you carry. I don't carry for self defense - If I get into that kind of situation I would use anything I had at hand, and that only after trying to run like hell. I carry to cut stuff - usually fairly small stuff. I kind of adjust my carry to where I'm going to be in terms of distance from home. I do rotate every few days, so on any given day I could have any of the above knives. However, if I am traveling away from home (i.e over 50 miles or so), it's always the Para (and now probably the Ocelot) That said, of the three models you have mentioned, if tough is what you want in your EDC, I can't see any possible comparison between the Caly Jr., Delica, and the Para. All of those can be stunningly sharp, (and I have never had anything sharper than the ZDP Caly Jr), all will cut about the same stuff, but the Para in my view anyway, is hands down the toughest of the three you are looking at.

All of those are great knives, so you can't make a bad choice.

Chuck
 
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