zdp calypso jr -- making for boring mornings

bammann45

bammann45

Joined
Oct 29, 2005
Messages
881
Every morning before walking out the door I go to the chest where I keep my pocket knives to pick one out for the day. And every single single morning since I got my zdp caly jr, it has handily won the contest... The weight to cutting ability ratio is just amazing. I am afraid none of my other knives will get any carry time. I am seriously considering a zdp delica as a result.
 
I have a hunch you will be disappointed with the Delica unless you send it off to Tom Krein and have him flat grind it for you. The thick saber grind of the Delica makes it a much less efficient cutter than the Caly Jr.
 
yablanowitz said:
I have a hunch you will be disappointed with the Delica unless you send it off to Tom Krein and have him flat grind it for you. The thick saber grind of the Delica makes it a much less efficient cutter than the Caly Jr.
Click to expand...
You can get the D4 in ZDP with a CE or a full set of teeth. And you don't have to hold onto the blade as it has a proper handle. We all have different needs and different things to cut.
 
oli said:
You can get the D4 in ZDP with a CE or a full set of teeth. And you don't have to hold onto the blade as it has a proper handle. We all have different needs and different things to cut.
Click to expand...

"proper handle" ?????? In my opinion and many others here the Caly and other Spydercos with the finger choil is the better choice. The finger choil not only aids in precise control over the blade it also helps to protect your fingers while closing the blade and in the event of an accidental release of the lock.

Given a choice I'll take the choil.
 
My post came from side by side comparison of the cutting ability of the ZDP Delica and the ZDP Calypso Jr. both with plain edge, and the side by side comparison of the cutting ability of a stock ZDP Endura and a Krein flat ground ZDP Endura. In both cases, the flat ground blades won going away. I was merely observing that if the OP was used to the flat-ground ZDP Caly Jr., I think he is unlikely to be happy with the performance of the saber-ground ZDP Delica. I know I am carrying a ZDP Caly Jr. in preference to either of my ZDP Delicas for that very reason.
 
It is clear that some people like the finger choil (on the blade). Note; Deep cutouts specifically for a finger(s) on handles are also sometimes called finger choils. I've got a flock of Byrds (with the choil) that I purchased without prior handling and I really dislike not being able to keep my hand on the handle. Note; It is possible with the Cara Cara because of the large handle. I work with a variety of common hand tools every day and comfort with any tool is very important to me. I really can't think of any other tool where you do not keep your hands fully on the handle. I don't think that I have ever seen a sugeons scalpel with a finger choil. So the "precise" control argument doesn't fully wash. By playing with these Byrds I can see and understand how/why some people would choose to use a finger choil while closing a knife with one hand. However, I've been closing knives with one hand for 40 years without a finger choil and will continue to do so without one. Again, different needs, different cuts.
 
That's odd. Almost every scalpel I have seen has an unsharpened section on the blade next to the handle which would serve as a finger choil, even though I have never seen a doctor grip one that way. ;):D
 
yablanowitz said:
My post came from side by side comparison of the cutting ability of the ZDP Delica and the ZDP Calypso Jr. both with plain edge, and the side by side comparison of the cutting ability of a stock ZDP Endura and a Krein flat ground ZDP Endura. In both cases, the flat ground blades won going away. I was merely observing that if the OP was used to the flat-ground ZDP Caly Jr., I think he is unlikely to be happy with the performance of the saber-ground ZDP Delica. I know I am carrying a ZDP Caly Jr. in preference to either of my ZDP Delicas for that very reason.
Click to expand...
If we are going to cut string all day then any of the above will work fine. :D If we are going to cut cardboard or some other somewhat stiff material where the full width and height of the blade must pass through, then a thinner blade would have a better "cutting ability". I don't do much cardboard type cutting so a Full Flat is not really an advantage for me. I prefer the additional strength of the D4 blade without the additional height of the leaf type blade of the Caly 3 or Caly Jr. Different cuts.
 
It is clear that some people like the finger choil (on the blade). Note; Deep cutouts specifically for a finger(s) on handles are also sometimes called finger choils. I've got a flock of Byrds (with the choil) that I purchased without prior handling and I really dislike not being able to keep my hand on the handle. Note; It is possible with the Cara Cara because of the large handle. I work with a variety of common hand tools every day and comfort with any tool is very important to me. I really can't think of any other tool where you do not keep your hands fully on the handle. I don't think that I have ever seen a sugeons scalpel with a finger choil. So the "precise" control argument doesn't fully wash. By playing with these Byrds I can see and understand how/why some people would choose to use a finger choil while closing a knife with one hand. However, I've been closing knives with one hand for 40 years without a finger choil and will continue to do so without one. Again, different needs, different cuts.
 
I have the ZPD Delica (original light blue handled one) and the ZPD Caly III and the Delica was a disappointment as a slicer. The Caly Jr is supposed to be one of the best slicers but the Caly III is right up there with it. If you like the cutting/slicing ability of the Caly Jr I would get a CF ZPD Caly III over the Delica. It is more expensive however it makes for a dressier option than your Jr. A man has to have options in the morning.
-Mat
 
Killdozer said:
I have the ZPD Delica (original light blue handled one) and the ZPD Caly III and the Delica was a disappointment as a slicer. The Caly Jr is supposed to be one of the best slicers but the Caly III is right up there with it. If you like the cutting/slicing ability of the Caly Jr I would get a CF ZPD Caly III over the Delica. It is more expensive however it makes for a dressier option than your Jr. A man has to have options in the morning.
-Mat
Click to expand...

+1, I'm a Calypso guy, have 2 grey FRN/VG-10 Jrs, 1 black ZDP-189 Jr, 1 G10/VG-10 SE Caly III, and a CF/ZDP-189 Caly III, (and a UKPK, too), it gives me many options when I get dressed.
Going to Paris? Don't want to have too much problems with cops, UKPK
Going to sweat a lot? VG-10 Calypso Jr
Normal day? ZDP-189 Caly Jr or Caly III

I don't use the SE Caly III at all, though, since I recieved a cricket at the same time and it packs a wicked SE and edge profile in an even more compact package. (added to the fact I rarely need a SE knife)

If you can afford the G-10/VG-10 version but not the CF/ZDP-189 version, just take the first one, it's still a very nice knife and it may look better than the Jr as a dress knife.

If you want to have a sturdier knife for about the same size, though, the Delica fits the bill nicely, but it handles very differently. If you already have a Delica and like it, then take the ZDP version, if you have never handled one, try one in a shop, and see if it fits your hand well or not. (It doesn't fit mine well, for instance, the handle seems too short for a comfortable grip. It totally depends on whose hand it's in, though, YMMV)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top