If you have not heard, there is a knife called the Caly 3.5

[FourStringFiend]

I’m glad you enjoy it. As you know, I’m a big advocate of the model. The blade to handle ratio/ergos really seal the deal for me. If it had the same scales as the S90v Native 5 I might not carry anything else.

As far as laminated steels go, I don’t mind the scratches at all but I get why some don’t want scratches on a over $200 knife.

[Meadowlark]

It would be great if Sal could chime in and give a rough perspective on how far away that Caly 3.5 LW still is... very hard to do in these times though, I know (giving such an perspective, I mean)!!

....and it is not like we´d not be blessed with quite some new LW lockback Spydies anyway, that are either already there, or very close... (Stretch 2 XL.. Chief FRN... Police LW.. "Cliff Jumper"...)

[Soanso McMasters]

As soon as I find one it’s next on my list.

[JSumm]

As soon as I find one it’s next on my list.

Getting harder to find, but Sal confirmed a new shipment to Golden. Hopefully we will see it soon in stores. The title of the thread is probably misleading. I was trying to joke about an older model being rediscovered. I hope some who have never tried it give it a shot.

[Airlsee]

So is this the point where I request an S90V Caly 3.5?? Yes, please.

[Sharp Guy]

The Caly 3 HAP40 sprint was probably the most anticipated drop for me. It took quite awhile too. So in the meantime someone announced that the Caly 3.5 ZDP carbon fiber model was on sale for a ridiculously low price ($105?). I've been very happy with that purchase. I actually like the smooth carbon fiber too. It's easy on the pockets and I've never felt like it was too slippery. In fact the Delica with smooth CF has become one of my favorite Delicas for the same reason.

[Bolster]

So is this the point where I request an S90V Caly 3.5?? Yes, please.

Oh, wow. Wouldn't that be dreamy.

[knivesandbooks]

Wait there's a Call 3.5 LW coming out? I've been out of the loop. I'm buying that.

[Doc Dan]

Wow, this is the first time I’ve truly felt old on this forum. The black G10 version was the first larger Spyderco I bought in February 2013 (right after my first one ever, the G10 Manbug). It has permanently resided in my top 3 ever since and is the only one model to have held that position the entire time. It’s the most superior ergonomic design of Sal’s many in my opinion, and I’ve raved about it nearly the entire time I’ve been here, so I guess I’m surprised it’s “under the radar” and a “sleeper hit” for newer people here. It’s been in the catalog the entire time as one variant or another, and the Super Blue one is one of the most sought after sprints I’m aware of.

In terms of its lineage, it’s technically a locking UKPK (model C94) with the Caly 3 (C113) coming out first and then the Caly 3.5 (C144). Many folks believe it’s a direct-line descendant of the Calypso, which it is not (the UKPK is the intermediate). I’m honestly not much of a fan of the CF ZDP version since I find the smooth CF too slick on it. My EDC one is the SB which I was excited a couple of years ago to finally be able to put a Lynch clip on when Casey first released his wire clip model (and I had to reverse the clip screw and barrel bolt position so the barrel could grab the clip, you can’t screw the clip straight on). I hope the LW version lives up to the fame of its predecessors, but again I’m a bit baffled that this thread even needs to exist to point out how awesome this model is. It’s a PM2-sized blade in a Delica-sized handle, the description I’ve long used for it. The reason I like the Kapara so much (also in my top 3 these days) is that it emulates many of the best characteristics of the Caly 3.5 - a long blade in a surprisingly compact and very ergonomic handle. Cheers, (old man) Radioactive



P.S. No, I’m not a fan at all of patinas. I’ve cleaned the patina off my SB one probably a half-dozen times now. And it’s sharpened and used, since some of you seem to think I just post pics of brand new ones for IG on here.

I didn't mean to offend. It's just old threads get lost in time. I have had my eye on it for some time and finally pulled the trigger thanks to a fellow member. I felt like this model needed a shameless plug. For someone like me who discovered Spyderco later in life, I get to rediscover a lot of these models like they are new. Maybe we talk about it again and others see it and get to enjoy it too. Maybe some that would not have considered it. Hopefully that is good for Spyderco and good for the model. I would hate to see it discontinued.

So again, I apologize for bringing something old up. Did not mean to waste anyone's time.

No waste of time at all. It is always good to talk about a great Spyderco model. I had a framelock knife I carried that was supposed to be the ultimate gentleman's knife. It was nice. However, it kept coming open in my pocket frequently, despite a good detent. I went looking for a knife with the same dimensions, but I wanted a back lock so I wouldn't have to worry about it opening in my pocket. I found the Caly3. That made me fall in love with Spyderco all over again after a long hiatus. The Caly3 is a clearly superior design and the Caly 3.5 is just more of that. The only reason I quit carrying my Caly3 was because the cost kept rising and MAP happened and I was afraid I'd lose it.

[Wartstein]

Wait there's a Call 3.5 LW coming out? I've been out of the loop. I'm buying that.

Sal said that there'd be one in the works over a year ago. And that it would have screw-together construction (so not pinned).

See here: viewtopic.php?p=1486273#p1486273

[Diamondback]

That's an incredibly well-built knife. Very impressive tolerances. I have one of the discontinued VG-10 models and carry it frequently. So easy to pocket, and so very, very useful. My only issue with the ZDP model is the price...YIKES. But that's just a combination of Spyderco and Seki, Japan. You're not going to get a beautiful Japanese-made knife like that from a company that is trying to keep a good amount of its production in the USA for anything under $200. Can't be done.

[archangel]

It's on my list, will get one eventually. I'm waiting for a sprint in a steel we haven't yet had been offered.

While we're on this subject: isn't it overdue?

[wrdwrght]

It's on my list, will get one eventually. I'm waiting for a sprint in a steel we haven't yet had been offered.

While we're on this subject: isn't it overdue?

Michael, I see in your signature that the efficiency of your acquisition is dropping off. You have several more Spydies than you do Spydies with unique steels. Tsk, tsk.

[PanChango]

I am a big fan of the Caly 3.5. I carried this SB version for 5 years until I gifted it to a friend. I still have a VG10 3.5 and a couple 3 inch versions. I am looking forward to the lw version.

[archangel]

It's on my list, will get one eventually. I'm waiting for a sprint in a steel we haven't yet had been offered.

While we're on this subject: isn't it overdue?

Michael, I see in your signature that the efficiency of your acquisition is dropping off. You have several more Spydies than you do Spydies with unique steels. Tsk, tsk.

Guilty.

[JSumm]

I am a big fan of the Caly 3.5. I carried this SB version for 5 years until I gifted it to a friend. I still have a VG10 3.5 and a couple 3 inch versions. I am looking forward to the lw version.

Very nice pic! I was excited about the LW before getting this CF version. I can say now that I am extremely excited. I am really hoping a new lower cost option gets a new wave of Spyderco fans into this model. If so, maybe we will see some exclusives or even a G10 model back in regular production. It sure deserves it.

[vivi]

I briefly owned a 3.5

For me it was an awkward size.

The 3 carries better and handles a bit better.

The full size lets me grip behind the choil comfortably.

The 3.5 didn't really let me utilize a grip behind the choil, but felt too large to me to be a dedicated choil only knife if that makes sense.

I was a really big fan of the series, especially the full size Calypso, but for me the Chief improved upon that design, has screw construction and is readily available...so yeah.

Hope the LW 3.5 is a success either way. I still think the calypso line is top tier Spyderco design. May even give the model a second chance, we'll see.

[Bolster]

I am a big fan of the Caly 3.5. I carried this SB version for 5 years until I gifted it to a friend. I still have a VG10 3.5 and a couple 3 inch versions. I am looking forward to the lw version.

Wow! Look at those beauties. Well done! So the SuperBlue came out in both 3 and 3.5 did it? I was not paying attention during that period and never obtained a Caly in SB. They are certainly lookers. Love the monochrome look as they have aged.

Confession time: I don't own a ZDP 3.5, only have ZDPs in 3. Have been tempted many times, but have hesitated, thinking a re-issue with new steels are just around the corner. And hoping there'd be a stop pin upgrade. (Been wrong so far.)

Like Vivi ^ and others, tend to prefer the 3 to the 3.5 for EDC, but switch to the 3.5 for "more serious situations."

[Wartstein]

I briefly owned a 3.5

For me it was an awkward size.

The 3 carries better and handles a bit better.

The full size lets me grip behind the choil comfortably.

The 3.5 didn't really let me utilize a grip behind the choil, but felt too large to me to be a dedicated choil only knife if that makes sense.

I was a really big fan of the series, especially the full size Calypso, but for me the Chief improved upon that design, has screw construction and is readily available...so yeah.

Hope the LW 3.5 is a success either way. I still think the calypso line is top tier Spyderco design. May even give the model a second chance, we'll see.

Vivi, just so I get you right:

- With "the full size" you are referring to the Calypso, right? And are not saying "The 3 ... handles a bit better".. "The" [its] full size lets me grip behind the choil comfortably" ?
Cause of course the 3 has a shorter handle (closed length 102 mm) than the 3.5 (108 mm)

Anyway: With your really big hand size there is not enough space behind the choil of the 3.5 for four fingers?
Would you think this is true for "just" XL hands too?

[JSumm]

If it helps, on page 1 I have a pic of the grip behind the choil. I am about as far up the handle behind the choil that my pointer finger can go and the pinky is barely hanging on. This is a choil grip only knife for me. I wear size Large gloves, but have very skinny fingers.