Para 3 vs Sage 5

[mountainguy]

Hi everyone!
I am looking into buying my next spyderco, and I am stuck between the Para 3 and the Sage 5. I really like the deep carry clip on the Sage 5, but I also really like the Para 3 overall because the action is so amazing. My least favorite thing about the para 3 is the clip and how shallow it is. I also live in Colorado, so I like the idea of the knife being made 20 minutes from where I live. I have gone to the spyderco store and checked out both of them, and I really like both of them. What do you guys think? Which one do you prefer? :spyder:

[Sharp Guy]

Flip a coin! Haha! Seriously, I have both and like both for the different reasons you describe. I like the looks and wire clip on the Sage 5. Comparing my examples I think the action is much better on the Para 3 and I find the straight spine a little more useful. They're both durable knives but I tend to use the Para 3 more at work and around the house and I use the Sages more as a going out carry.

[abbazaba]

I like the Sage5 better in use. It carries better, but it also has a thinner blade stock which performs better for me. The CF laminate also feels great in hand, as are the ergos. The only thing I like better about the Para3 is the flat spine.

Action varies greatly on compression locks in my experience so I wouldn't base my decision on that, but rather pick through a bunch at the SFO and find the one you like best. The Native5 LW would be my choice for a 3" blade from Golden FWIW.

[Ric]

Sage 5 is much heavier them Para3.

[TomAiello]

Why not get a Para 3 and replace the clip?

[abbazaba]

Sage 5 is much heavier them Para3.

IMHO this sounds a little misleading given the published weights:

Sage5 - 3.2oz
Para3 - 3.0 oz

[mountainguy]

Why not get a Para 3 and replace the clip?

I have thought about that. What clip do you recommend?

[murphjd25]

Why not get both? :)

[mad german]

Sage 5 is much heavier them Para3.

Wrong.

Sage 5: 3.15 oz
Para 3 3.4 oz.

[rivy]

Sage 5 all day. Para3 isn't as good as the PM2 in my opinion and for a 3" blade I think it's hard to beat the sage ergos, wire clip, etc.

[Ric]

According boker.de
Para3: 85 /96 grams
Sage5: 150 grams

:-/

[anycal]

On paper, the Para 3 is advertised at 3oz. Both of mine, S30V and CRUWEAR, were 3.5oz and 3.4oz respectively.

[ejcr98]

I don’t have a Para 3 but I do have Sage 5 and it is amazing.

[mad german]

According boker.de
Para3: 85 /96 grams
Sage5: 150 grams

:-/

The weights I posted were from Spyderco. You’d think they’d know how much their stuff weighs, lol!

[Sharp Guy]

Sage 5 all day. Para3 isn't as good as the PM2 in my opinion and for a 3" blade I think it's hard to beat the sage ergos, wire clip, etc.

If you compare the handles of the Para 3 and Sage 5 they're basically the same. The Sage does have a little more room at the back. So you have large hands that might make difference. The different clips do change how they feel a little but overall they're pretty close.

[hambone56rx]

Why not get both? :)

+1

I read through forums, watched countless hours or YouTube and researched what the one Spyderco that I would buy would be. So many people just said "get both," when I was trying to decide between the M2 & PM2. I'm frugal and tried my hardest to resist it, but know I have the PM2, the KC exclusive CF & Cruwear M2 & the Sliverax. :D

So just get both, then end up selling one if you don't carry it. It depends on what you're going for, as the Sage is a little bit more of a classier carry IMO. If you are looking for more of a performer, or a fidget toy, then the Para 3 fits that bill. But IMO the Para 3 doesn't have enough cutting edge. I would go the PM2 all day long over the Para 3, but that's just me. If you're really going for a user, then get a M2. The KC exclusive w/ CF & Cruwear is really a whole new level compared to the others.

Get them both! :spyder: