Which Sage?

Getahl

Getahl

Joined
Dec 22, 2007
Messages
990
Hi all,

My birthday's coming up in about a month and was thinking of treating myself to my first non-SAK knife if close to a year. The last knife I picked up was a blue FFG Delica that is the bee's knees, in my eyes. The ~3" size really does it for me.

So I'm looking at the Sage line, but I'm not terribly sure which appeals the most to me. The three choices I'm seeing are the blue G-10 bolt action, Ti integral lock, and the carbon fiber liner lock. Is the liner lock on the Sage similar to the on the millie? I might already be sold if that's the case. How does the RIL compare? Also, how does the ball lock work? Is it similar to the BM Axis lock?

Another contender is the Caly 3 with the backlock. The blade and ergos look similar, and I do like a good backlock.

Does anyone have any input? I'd love to hear your thoughts on the locking systems of the Sage line and make an informed decision.

Thank you,

Keith
 
I have owned every knife mentioned and to this day the Sage 2 is my favorite.

You honestly can't go wrong with any of the Sages available.
In my opinion the Sage 1 and 2 look higher quality aesthetically with the vibrant Carbon Fiber and cool Titanium.
I favor the Sage 2 for the slightly thinner construction and my bias for Ti RILs. lol

Here is a video comparing the Sage Series.

[youtube]HpeQF-2vXVQ[/youtube]
 
I've had every Sage. Sage 2 for a slight to moderate win over the 1.
 
There is no comparison between them ~~ Caly3 is in a league of it's own.! Have owned them all and in my opinion any Caly will beat any Sage hands down. I own 5 Caly's and 0 Sages ~~ need I say more.?*
 
Gladiator357 said:
There is no comparison between them ~~ Caly3 is in a league of it's own.! Have owned them all and in my opinion any Caly will beat any Sage hands down. I own 5 Caly's and 0 Sages ~~ need I say more.?*
Click to expand...

I sold my CF ZDP Caly3 and have no regrets.

To each their own though.
You will only know for sure if you try the caly 3 and sage. haha :D
 
Caly 3 is the thinnest, lightest, and most compact and, if there's no legal issue involved, the Caly 3.5 would also be thinner, lighter, and more compact than any of the Sage series knives, and give you half an inch more blade. As for the Sage series, all are excellent in their own rights, it comes down to a matter of which handle material and/or which lock you prefer. Personally, I'd rate the Sage I as best looking, and the Sage III as most lefty friendly, but would take the Caly 3 over any of them and the Caly 3.5 over that.
 
I've owned two Sage1's, two Caly3 cf's and one Sage2. The Sage2 is gone, kept one Sage1 and Caly3cf.
The Sage1 is my favorite of the three for numerous reasons.

Caly3's great if you have smaller than average hands but the riveted construction still doesn't compare to the Sage1 IMHO.
 
The Sage 1 is one of the most beautifully crafted, ergonomically perfect knives that I have ever owned.

I have used knives heavily for 70 years. I have never had a knife fold on me, so a liner lock gives me adequate comfort.

I have very few Spydercos, even though they could be the finest built American knives.

I use knives for food prep. I do not like a hole in a short Blade.
 
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The Sage 1 is my favorite and the only one I carry, although lately it's a rare day I don't carry the Para 2, out of the 3 Sages. It was my primary folder until the Para 2 came.
 
ZippoThisKnifeThat said:
I sold my CF ZDP Caly3 and have no regrets.

To each their own though.
You will only know for sure if you try the caly 3 and sage. haha :D
Click to expand...

Same here - the Caly 3 has no washers or bushings which results in a scratched up blade-tang and a much less smooth operation. Also, the choil is super-shallow (or almost at the wrong angle with the back being more pronounced and the part nearest the blade being shallow - I was always scared that I would slip my hand forward onto that razor-sharp ZDP-189 blade). I also don't care for super-smooth pocket-knife-handles (I prefer the grippiness of G10 or the Peel-ply Carbon Fiber - even the FRN is way grippier than the smooth CF).

I have been on the fence for a Sage 2 for a while now, but I probably won't pick up the Sage 3 (its not a ball-bearing/axis lock just so you know - its a Blackie Collins Bolt-action). I just don't care for the bolt-action locking mechanism and the Sage 3 is significantly thicker than the Sage 1/2 in order to accommodate the bolt-action lock. It is a nice looking knife, but its just not on the list right now.

If you like smooth-handled knives, then the Sage 2 and Caly 3 are both options for you - I don't necessarily, but I'm Jonesing to try out that Ti Sage 2, so I'll probably take the plunge before too much longer (plus all the ergos are good since I love my Sage 1 and the choil/thumb-ramp are 50/50 and a perfect fit for me).

As far as classiness, the Sage 1 is very hard to beat. It looks/feels perfect with those Peel-Ply CF scales and it is very light-weight. The Sage 2 does get compared to the small Sebenza a lot, which is part of the reason I'm intrigued by it.

Don't forget about the Native 5 coming out in the future (as well as the Chaparral).
 
I'd go with the Sage 2 pretty much because it so closely resemebles something produced by Chris Reeve but theres also a hint of Spyderco with the Spyderhole and ergos.
 
Definitely leaning toward the Sage 1. I've never had a knife with CF scales. Do they chew up pockets?
 
Getahl said:
Definitely leaning toward the Sage 1. I've never had a knife with CF scales. Do they chew up pockets?
Click to expand...

The Sage1 carbon fiber is perfect in that it has great grip to hold on to your pocket and great grip in the hand yet doesn't chew up pockets at all. I found the Sage2 and to a lesser extent the Caly3 cf can slip off your pocket easier, especially on thinner pants. The Sage1 really is edc folder perfection for me.
IMAG0289.jpg

IMAG0290.jpg
 
Sage 1 is an awesome choice. I too have a Caly and love it but I keep coming back to the Sage 1. Personally, I like the heavier textured carbon weave of the Sage 1 and the ergos are great.
Now - between the Sage 1 and Sage 2 I would venture to say that if you went out and bought either -- you'd be stoked. I'm not a fan of the ball lock on Sage 3 -- just not a smooth closer although i appreciate the design and have a couple. My 2 cents.
 
I have the 1 and 3. I like the looks of the carbon on the 1, but the 3 is the smoother opener for me. Plus I really love the Bolt lock on it.

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It really is nearly a toss up between the 1 and the 2. The ball lock on the 3 looks interesting, but I love the thumb action on liner locks (and frame locks, I'm assuming). I'm sure I'll pick the 2 up at some point in the future, but I think the CF one will be good to wet my beak with. Thanks all for your valuable input!
 
Honestly.. with are seriousness i ordered the sage sometime last year... a spur of the moment thing.. like hey i want a new knife.. and said hmm... ive wanted the sage 1 for awhile!.. the CF handles looked best to me.. the other 2 looked sort of childish/ cheaper quality... something about that CF got to my head!.. anyhow i got it for $100... i think its the BEST BEST BEST knife that ive bought that only cost $100... to me even if it was $200 i'd still pay it for it... this knife is EDC PERFECTION... ontop of it... its got GREAT LOCKUP no play.. and FFG blade.. (cant beat it for slicing tasks).. great ergos...

honestly go for the Sage 1... u wont regret it I PROMISE =D..

ive acctually been edcing mine for the past few weeks.. ill problly start carrying my spydi tenacios tomz though... GREAT BEATER/EDC knife ;) gata LOVE IT...and at $25-30 u cannot beat it...
 
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