Spyderco Caly 3.5 compared to Sage 1

T

timbo813

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Jun 24, 2014
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I am considering buying one of these two knives. Both seem very nice. Sage 1 has better steel. Caly 3.5 has a longer blade. Both have the deep carry wire clip that I want. Anybody have any advantage for either of these knives? I don't have a local store to hold either of them. If somebody has both and could post a comparison picture I'd love to see it. My current EDC is a Delica4 with ZDP-189. This knife would likely replace it as my EDC.

EDIT: I've also considered a 0770CF but I've never even held a ZT knife.
 
I don't have the 0770, but you can't go wrong with either one of the Spydercos. Both are classy, very well built and make great EDC's. I personally like the Sage 1 better due to the shorter blade. Also the fit and finish is excellent and it disappears in your pocket.
 
I don't own the sage but handled them many times. I have the Caly 3.5 and believe it has one of the best blade to handle ratios out there. The VG-10 is great and the ergonomics are superb. Can't go wrong with either one.
 
I can only second what has already been said about the Caly 3.5. Great knife and great value.
 
Hey timbo. I have all 3. That's a tough call about which I would pick first, because each one rocks. I do think I'd go with the 3.5 if I had to choose just one, as it carries so nice in the pocket, and it may have the largest blade length to scale length ratio of any Spyderco. It seems like the blade is longer than the scales in which it resides. The Sage 1 and 0770CF are awesome in their own right, so it really boils down to what you subjectively like the best. Tomorrow I might like one of them best. Its that close. Right now I have the 0770CF in my pocket.
 
I think it depends..... If the zt770 blade shape works for you get it.... If you like the blade shapes of the spydercos get the sage because people like them and resale should be easy... If you don't like that sell it and get the caly.
 
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I don't have the Caly but I do own the Sage 1. Easily one of my favorite knives. Good steel, great in hand and in pocket. CF scales are awesome, F&F is top notch. Smooth as silk. You absolutely cannot go wrong for the money.
 
I have a Caly 3 zdp 189 and I love it. I had a sage 1 and I sold it. I definitely regret selling it, but if I had to pick one it would be the Caly. Zdp is great steel and one of the reasons why I kept my Caly and not the sage. If it were S30V vs S30V it would be a really tough call for me. I loved flicking the sage. So smooth and made a nice noise too. Both great slicers.
Never had the zt 770.
 
I have most of them...that are mentioned. I carried a Caly 3 for an office-knife for 3-4 yrs in VG-10. But, get the Caly either in ZDP-189 or in Super Blue blade-steel, IMO. Super Blue will do a pretty quick patina, but many folks LOVE that look, and hurry it along with cutting lemons or grapefruit or various veggies.
Here are Sage 3 models, with Sage 2 titanium on the right. All are 3" blades, ~4.2" closed length for a full-sized grip.
The next pic is of Caly 3 and Caly 3.5 knives in ZDP-189... Caly 3 closed length is 4.07"; Caly 3.5 is 4.3". I prefer the longer grip to fit my large-sized hand. Of course, these two have blade-lengths basically 3" and 3.5".

The grip-widths are bit different.. Sage 2 about 0.394"; and the Caly series about 0.357" on average. So yes, the Calys are the slimmer, sleeker knives; the Sages with their leaf-shaped blade MAY be capable of a little heavier duty, due to that blade-shape. I can hold onto the larger, thicker grips of the Sage better. My favorite grip-widths run about 0.450", which is the width for the ultra-famous Paramilitary 2 of Spyderco, which has a 4.82" long closed grip-length.

I got in a ZT 0770cf today. Grip-length is 4.33"; grip-width is 4.01"; comfy length, very nice carbon fiber feel. Nice folder. ZT is usually a good knife. This one is only 3 ounces...very light, but I'm not complaining... Available in Elmax or M390; both excellent.
Either choice is several steps "better" in Ankerson's categories than either vG-10 or S30v at the more mild heat-treats. You have ZDP so you know what a fine steel that is...far above VG10 or S30v, particularly when ZDP is HT'd properly. Also, you can find the Caly in SuperBlue steel which is also a great steel, but will patina rapidly if you let it. Many users love that patina-look. Ankerson's link is posted in my reply.

The ZT is very ergonomic But I cannot choke up easily, like the other folders mentioned, as there is no "protected cutout" for your index finger. If this is important to you, don't get one. Fires hard (has a good, sound detent which helps that) and is very impressive. I thought it might be "wimpy" due to light 3 ounce weight, but it is NOT. Feels good in my hand. Consider this one, but do NOT de-assist as have read of many problems with that "mod."




http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...based-on-Edge-Retention-cutting-5-8-quot-rope
 
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I own all three and can verify everything that's been said about each knife so far. But in regard to the Sage and the Caly 3.5, I'm definitely leaning towards the Caly 3.5. despite the steel difference. The Caly 3.5 just seems like a classier knife in my opinion with a much sleeker profile than the Sage. And what's been said about blade to handle ratio is true. That blade definitely seems bigger than the handle when you're holding it and the handle just fits perfectly in my hands at least. Yes, it's VG-10, and a back lock, and it's flickable but not as smooth as the Sage, but I think the Caly 3.5 beats out the Sage. If not in performance, at least in ergonomics and aesthetics in my opinion.

As far as the 0770 goes, it's an all out awesome knife which, unlike most ZTs, is thin, light, and sleek. I loved the blade shape of the knife which is what got me, plus you have the speedsafe assist in there to pop the blade out and make it that much cooler. I personally prefer deep carry clips, but I was not a huge fan of the clip on the 0770. It was a tad tight and rather tiny I might add.

But anyway, all three are fantastic knives so whatever you choose will still be a great choice indeed!
 
As mentioned by FilipinoPhil2011 ..."the clip on the 0770. It was a tad tight and rather tiny I might add."

...to which I will add..."Definitely." I suspect there will be 3rd party "larger, deeper" clips available on the market pretty soon, so may not be a problem for long. I have NOT used the knife yet, so cannot say whether it keeps well in my pocket or not. But it is small and light.
 
As mentioned by FilipinoPhil2011 ..."the clip on the 0770. It was a tad tight and rather tiny I might add."

...to which I will add..."Definitely." I suspect there will be 3rd party "larger, deeper" clips available on the market pretty soon, so may not be a problem for long. I have NOT used the knife yet, so cannot say whether it keeps well in my pocket or not. But it is small and light.

Here are pics, showing the short clip length on the ZT. I haven't tried this new folder in my pocket yet, so cannot criticize (yet).
Pic shows how far "up on the blade" you can go for closeup work. ZT does NOT allow this at all.
Pic shows all three folders...


 
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I have or have had all of the knives mentioned. I will do my own ranking in several catetories:

Scale Appearance: Sage 1 > Sage 3CF >> 0770CF > Caly 3.5ZDP
Blade Shape: 0770CF > Caly 3.5ZDP >= Sage 3 = Sage 1
Blade Steel: Caly 3.5ZDP > 0770CF > Sage 1 = Sage 3 (I have a thing for San Mai layered steel blades)
Deployment: 0770CF > Sage 3CF > Sage 1 > Caly 3.5ZDP (I like assisted openers, and this is one of the better ones I've had)
Carry: 0770CF > Caly 3.5ZDP > Sage 1 > Sage 3CF
Overall fit and finish: Sage 1 = Sage 3CF >> 0770CF > Caly 3.5ZDP
Overall ranking: 0770CF > Sage 1 >= Sage 3CF > Caly 3.5ZDP

I have had two different Caly 3.5ZDPs and ended up sending them both back for fit and finish issues. Gave up on that knife for now, will revisit later. That blade is too cool for me to stay away...if only there was a B&M store nearby with stock that I could cherry pick from.
 
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JarrodS had such an interesting post, that I wanted to compare a bit. Included this pic: Caly 3.5cf, Sage 3cf, Sage 2, ZT 0770cf


Note that I don't have a Sage 1, but I did manage to scrounge four ANIB Sage 2's (I like titanium scales) and these other models, which tells you something...
I guess I prefer the Sage 3's bolt-action lock to liner-locks for "security" in solid lockup...in general. Yes, the ZT is a liner-lock, but I generally prefer the frame-lock (Sage2) over most liner-locks, although I have nothing to support that purely personal opinion.

Generalized appearance? The Caly 3 in carbon-fiber, which has these beautiful sculpted squares in the design that just shimmer as you rock the grip back and forth...followed closely by ZT's very excellent carbon fiber and their distinctive blade design...

Ergonomics:
If I were a surgeon, I'd pick the Spydie Cali 3.5 (back-lock) in ZDP every time. The long blade looks like a thin scalpel, and gives you a long pointed reach, a good SOLID grip with the high-rise jimping on the blade top, which would PREVENT your hand from moving forward onto the blade.. Excellent design.

Hard use: If I wanted to cut fuzzy-sticks in the woods, perhaps the Sage 3 in c.f. It has by far the grippiest scales. The other three, including the titanium, have the same degree of "slippery."

For ease of carry, the slim Caly is supreme. Love that wire pocket-clip. Very secure.

Blade-steel? No contest...ZT 0770 with M390. The same ZT is also available (cheaper) in Elmax.
ZDP-189, Elmax about a tie depending on HT. (Ankerson loved the 0770/Elmax in his testing). (ZDP can be chippy if too hard.)
S30V coming in last, but STILL an excellent blade-steel; perhaps a compromise of edge-holding, toughness, etc.

...and YEAH! What happened to my Sage 2's in titanium that I love? The only frame-lock of the bunch, which seems to be my generalized preference in folders...(read CRK influence) Matter of fact, all four of these folders are really top choice EDC's.

Best of luck in your choice.
 
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Wow, lots of really good info here. Thanks to everyone who contributed. It's close enough that I'm still having a hard time deciding. This will be an EDC so I don't mind a lightly used knife. I think I'll watch the exchange for a while and see if I can score a good deal on one of them. If I get impatient, I'll probably order the caly 3.5. Thanks again.
 
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