1st Impressions: BM Mini Barrage 585 vs. Spyderco Caly 3

Just received a Caly 3 G10 today, and it’s my first Spyderco knife. Been carrying the BM 585 for several weeks, and I have three other BM knives, one folder, two fixed. First impressions:

Caly 3 is slightly lighter, thinner (flatter with or without the clip), has a low-ride clip, and it’s slightly wider, so, for me, it carries a bit better clipped to a pocket or loose in the pocket, which is the primary reason I bought it. I prefer the BM catalogue because it specifies the thickness of their knives, which is a key specification.

The Caly 3 handle not quite as hand filling as the 585 handle, but probably good enough for my intended purpose, low profile EDC, opening packages, preparing food. However, the choil for my index finger is very close to a very sharp blade. I really like the Caly 3 jimping though.

Published specs for length of both knives are correct. Both blades are roughly 3” and both handles are roughly 4”. The blade on the Caly 3 is about 1/10” longer and the cutting edge is about 1/10” shorter, so the blade length is a wash.

The observable machined surfaces of the Caly 3 are slightly better (smoother), giving the impression of a slightly better finished knife. The G10 scales of the Caly 3 also give the impression of slightly higher quality than the molded plastic scales on the 585, but I have no complaints about the 585 scales. At street price, the Caly 3 is a more expensive knife.

The Spyder hole seems to work as least as well as BM thumb studs, and the Caly 3 “deploys” about as well as a knife with an unassisted BM Axis lock. Out of the box, the Caly 3 mechanism seems to be a bit rougher than the BM 585, but it works well enough. I am comfortable with the Caly 3 back lock.

585 problems:

1. Delivered with a blade that was loose side to side. Adjusted the pivot screw twice, but it came loose within a day or two. Two emails to Benchmade asking whether to Locktite the pivot screw or return the knife have gone unanswered, leaving a very poor impression of BM customer service. If I keep this knife, I will probably Locktite the pivot screw. So far, the Caly 3 doesn’t have this problem and neither does my BM Mini Rukus.

For now, I’ve tightened the pivot screw and taped it down, and the pivot screw hasn’t come loose in a week. After tightening the pivot screw, I noticed a slight amount of vertical play in the blade that’s not present in the Mini Rukus.

2. Out of the box, the BM 585 was not very sharp, but good enough to open packages and slice apples, so I haven’t sharpened it yet. By comparison, the Mini Rukus was sharp, and the Caly 3 is VERY sharp. Of my two BM fixed knives, one was sharp (201), one wasn’t (Nim Cub II).

These are minor problems that can be fixed, and I can always phone Benchmade customer service if they don’t respond to email sent to BM Customer Service. However, it shouldn’t be necessary, and I will think twice before mail ordering another BM knife.

The assisted opening on the 585 works very well. However, I am not that enamored with assisted opening, and I have tightened the pivot screw, so that the blade opens with only slightly more enthusiasm than a standard Axis lock and the blade has no side-to-side play. The assisted opening blade still pops up like fresh toast, which makes me wonder whether it’s abusing the locking mechanism, so I tend to ease it open. The complexity and long-term reliability of the assisted opening mechanism and blade lock concerns me too, but it does seem to work well.

Concerns about the Caly 3:

1. Scales are riveted to the liners, so they can’t be removed for cleaning if the knife gets dunked in salt water.
2. I have heard that the Caly 3 pivot is a bushing-less design, so I am wondering whether this might become a problem down the road.

One balance, I think they are both good knives with similar uses. I plan to use both knives for a while and keep the one that works the best for me, and I will update this post if my impressions change. So far, the Caly 3 seems to be the likely keeper.

Welcome gwlee.

Nice comparison. It's a shame that the Caly 3 is being discontinued, or at least that's what I thought I heard.

Yes loctite the pivot screws. You're mini Rukus doesn't need it probably because it's been loctited already.

BM is not lightening fast with email but they will respond. The best way is to just call. They always answer and they'll be more than happy to help.

Thank you. I also heard that the Caly 3 G10 was discontinued. I understand that the CF Caly 3 is still in production though.

quote:

Originally posted by Chang:
Welcome gwlee.

Nice comparison. It's a shame that the Caly 3 is being discontinued, or at least that's what I thought I heard.

Thanks for the information. I have been holding off on applying loctite until I decide whether the knife needs to go back to BM for other reasons. I have put some sticky tape over the pivot screw to keep it from turning, not elegant, but it works as a temporary fix. Yes, I agree, three weeks and counting is "not lightening fast."

quote:

Originally posted by tjsulli790:
Yes loctite the pivot screws. You're mini Rukus doesn't need it probably because it's been loctited already.

BM is not lightening fast with email but they will respond. The best way is to just call. They always answer and they'll be more than happy to help.

quote:

Originally posted by gwlee:
I can always phone Benchmade customer service if they don’t respond to email sent to BM Customer Service. However, it shouldn’t be necessary, and I will think twice before mail ordering another BM knife.

In my experience, emails to BM are never answered. Calling is the way to go. The phone customer service is excellent, wish the quality control was as good.

Welcome Gwlee, I'd be a little careful with leaving sticky tape on your knife - it might damage the finish on both metal and plastic parts.

On reaching Benchmade, definitely call them at their 800-800-7427 number, the issue with slow responses has been going on for a long time, why I dunno but that's how it is.

And on Loc-Tite, I hope you're using the releasable 242 BLUE variety which is fairly forgiving.

Sorry to read there's blade play, having to remove the left scale is a pain...but if the knife continues to be painful I'd call and ask for Customer Service, they will take care of you.