delica4 or caly3

[bambam]

I've used my Endura for years,then I got a d4 about a year ago and like it very much.
I'm a repairman for buildings and need a good knife,I would like to know what you guys think of the caly3?
Is the c3 as tough as the d4,will it cut better lock stronger or feel better?

[Blackhair]

Well, with my limited knowledge of these things (but trying to learn quickly ;) ), I would say that the kind of work you'd be doing as a building repairman would be more suited to the D4, as it is Saber-Ground, as opposed to the Caly3's Flat-Grind.

Saber-Ground doesn't take quite as sharp an edge as Flat-Ground, but it's a stronger edge, and still gets plenty sharp.

[dalefuller]

I have both. In fact, I have a Caly 3, a Caly Jr, and 5 Delicas. What Blackhair says is basically true, in my experience with these knives. I think that the Caly 3 will lock up as well as the D3/D4, but the different blade shapes / grinds will make them cut differently.

I've found that the flat ground Caly 3 is a better pure slicer than the D4. OTOH, if you have to muscle through a variety of materials or apply some sideways or twisting force, the stronger saber grind on the D4 will probably hold up better. And you can get a D4 ve-e-e-ry sharp. If I were in your job and only carrying one knife, I'd probably want a PE D4 in ZDP-189 with a little coarser finish to the edge.

[flipe8]

Another vote for the D-4. I think the more stout tip would hold up better in the long-run.

[jaislandboy]

another D4 vote coz the edge and tip of the Caly3 is ground thinner than the D4 and more vulnerable to damage vs. the D4..... :rolleyes:

[Bolster]

I have owned 4 Caly3s and 5 D4s. I have given away all the D4s and kept all the Caly3s because I find the flat grind so much more useful for slicing. Sabre grinds really bother me and I usually avoid them. The other thing that makes me prefer the Caly3 is the handle shape and choil. The D4 keeps my hand too far back on the handle for my taste, and I can never quite find a comfortable "choked up" grip on the D4. The Caly3 also has a more upscale feel and appearance, whereas the D4 in FRN is built for work. If I had rough work, I'd probably use a Caly3 until it died, but the D4 might actually be a better fit for rough work, as others have said.

So to answer your questions:

- Is the c3 as tough as the d4? Maybe not quite, but close enough. I have not read reports of caly3 tips breaking, but it's logical to assume the d4 must have a stronger tip with its "blunted" design.

- will it cut better? The C3 will slice better.

- lock stronger or feel better? Lock about the same; yes I think the C3 will feel better.

Seems the main thing recommending the D4 is tip strength. Here's an idea: get one of each, test them yourself, and chalk up the extra one to the Fly Fund to help out Spyderco.

[gull wing]

I like my CalyIII much more than the D4, because it slices much better. Of course I don't use my knives to cut metal, scrape paint, turn screws, drill holes.

[WOTANSON1]

I've owned 6 Caly Jr's and have sold them all:D . Why:confused: one may ask? I hated tip down only on that model, the arched thumb rest always did a number on the back of my hand when I tried to get something out of my RF pocket other than the knife. The Caly 3 is another story, I don't own one because I prefer hollow and/or sabre grinds vs. flat ground blades but I've handled one and prefer the handle (the choil is the key) to the Delica and it's tip up now the way all knives should be.:D
Cheers,
Rob

[Fatboy]

I have both also and I think the Caly 3 is a little more heavy duty and I love the flat grind blade on the Caly 3, I have them both in VG-10 and ZPD. Both are awesome knives.

[The Deacon]

For me, the Caly 3's big advantages over the Delica are its full flat grind and 50/50 choil. I seldom carry knives that do not have at least one of those features and prefer those which have both. If one or both of them are unimportant to you, then the pricing of the Delica may make it more attractive. If you're a born tinkerer, then the all screw construction of the Delica may be more to your liking. Trick is deciding what is important to you. Once that is clear in your mind you can choose whichever knife comes closer to your ideal.

[bambam]

Thanks for all the help.Deacon said one item that I really like in a knife a choil.I think if the delica had a choil it my be the perfect knife afaik.I see the point about a saber grind,a full flat grind does slice very nice though.The tip on the d4 is probebly stronger,I think I just need to handle a caly3 to make a choice.
Thanks Guys.