Para 3 as first Spyderco?

[alexthegreat]

Hey all,

Brand new here, don't even have a Spyderco (yet) and I'm going to get one soon. Always wanted one but never wanted to pony up a larger amount of money than I was used to. Christmas time is coming around so I'm going to finally going to treat myself a bit. I've spent hours looking at fixed and folders for an EDC and I'm fairly sure I've settles on the Para 3. Seems to be a decent size for my EDC applications which would be fairly light work, nothing strenuous. I've heard lots of good stuff about the Para 3 but wanted to hear your opinions since I'm sure you all as a collective have more experience about Spyderco knives than any website.

Thanks for any and all information!

[cabfrank]

I don't have a Para 3 yet, but I do have a Para 2, and I think it is one of the best EDC knives ever made. I am not the only one with this opinion either. I'm sure the Para 3 is on par, yet slightly different. Either one you prefer, whichever floats your boat, will undoubtedly make you very happy. If the 3 is what you want, I would absolutely recommend it, without a doubt.

[cabfrank]

Oh, and welcome!

[Ric]

Hi and welcome,

I love Para 3.
Perfect EDC size, super open and close action.

S110V is supersharp and better then S30V.

I recommend also a Sharpmaker for maintenance.

Do you have any knive / sharpening experience?

[SG89]

para 3 is awesome for edc

[alexthegreat]

Hi and thanks for the welcome,

I don't have much experience sharpening. A brother of mine bought an old school whetstone once and I tried sharpening a fixed blade on it. Not sure if I did it right or not. I've looked at the Sharpmaker and it might be something I'll pick up at a later date.

[abbazaba]

Great choice. Be sure to check out both the Native5 and Chaparral, which are very similar in size but carry and slice slightly better IMO.

[elena86]

Welcome to the addiction :eek: Nothing wrong with the Para3 but I strongly recommend the Delica4 in VG10 as your first spydie :spyder:

[farnorthdan]

Welcome to the forum Alex, the Para3 makes an excellent daily user, I especially like the Cruwear piece. Very capable little knife.

[wrdwrght]

Welcome to the addiction :eek: Nothing wrong with the Para3 but I strongly recommend the Delica4 in VG10 as your first spydie :spyder:

I endorse this recommendation, but forty-plus Spydies in, I still need to get this one as my "first" Spydie. :rolleyes:

[FK]

Yes, excellent daily carry for smaller knife.

Regards,
FK
Member since Feb 17, 2001

[sal]

Hi Alex,

Welcome to our forum.

sal

[Ric]

ALex, was the fixed blade after sharpening sharper as before?
I normally slice paper to check the sharpness.

S110v steel should be maintained to not being too dull. Otherwise its not easy got bring it back to sharp.

Which version of para 3 caught your eyes?

[zhyla]

I don't have a Para 3 yet, ... I'm sure the Para 3 is on par, yet slightly different.

The Para 3 doesn't yet appear to be as much of a slam dunk as the Para 2. Some people think it doesn't carry as well as a PM2. I'm sure it's an ok knife, but the reviews don't seem to be raving about it.

[SF Native]

I don't have a Para 3 yet, ... I'm sure the Para 3 is on par, yet slightly different.

The Para 3 doesn't yet appear to be as much of a slam dunk as the Para 2. Some people think it doesn't carry as well as a PM2. I'm sure it's an ok knife, but the reviews don't seem to be raving about it.

I love my cruwear para3. I am not buying any more pm2’s. The para 3 is a great size for me.
True, the pocket clip and lanyard hole are not perfect. But an aftermarket clip or go tip down if you don’t like the standard placement. It’s a great knife in my eyes.

[alexthegreat]

Hey all and thanks for the info and warm welcome.

The Para 3 that got my eyes was the C223GPCMOBK with the black blade and camo handle.

As for the knife that I sharpened once, yes it was a bit sharper but later on I tried another knife and all I ended up doing was slightly scratching the blade.

[Wrathhog]

I would recommend you try a Sage over the Para 3 if that size knife is important to you. But for a first Spyderco, I have to absolutely recommend the Delica or the Paramilitary 2. These two knives imo define what a Spyderco is and every other knife you buy after will be compared against one of these two.

[cabfrank]

Very hard to argue that point about the PM2 and Delica. I'd say both are iconic knives, in their own way.

[Ncmiked]

So many great edc friendly options in the Spyderco lineup, it's kind of hard to pick a bad one. Let us know how you like the PM3 when you get it. Sharpening takes practice and this place has a great base of knowledge to learn from, search and read. If something doesn't make sense, someone here will be able to explain.

[alexthegreat]

One of the things that drew me towards the Para 3 was the compression lock. How strong is it compared to liner and the other forms of locks?