Military 3 vs delica.

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Fright_Fox
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Military 3 vs delica.

#1

Post by Fright_Fox »

I had a delica for a little while but sold it unfortunately. Now I want a smaller knife for edc at work and the military 3 lightweight is around the same price as a delica vg10 here. I think the mili is a different steel, anyway what would be the better buy for just cutting up boxes and also cool factor. Thanks.
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5-by-5
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Re: Military 3 vs delica.

#2

Post by 5-by-5 »

*Para3
TheGiant80
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Re: Military 3 vs delica.

#3

Post by TheGiant80 »

If the Military 3 is currently a thing, there’s going to be a lot of somewhat confused yet excited people around these parts!

Also, if you had the Delica and sold it, why not try something new? I’d recommend the Lil Native!
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Wartstein
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Re: Military 3 vs delica.

#4

Post by Wartstein »

For me Delica over Para 3 by a huge margin. Imho the Delica does all the "small folder things" right, but the Para 3 not so much.

Bladestock:
Delica 2.5, Para 3.6 mm. That's over 40 % thicker, and makes the Delica a better slicer (though of course not only blade stock thickness alone is defining how slicey a blade can be!). Still the Delica blade is easily strong enough, that's true also for the tip (due to the slight drop towards the tip).

Handle:
The Delica offers space for a generous four finger grip on the handle, while one can still perfectly choke up on the Ricasso.
The Para 3 has the size, where imho a choil is not the best choice: Shortens the grip area on the actual handle, so larger hands have to choke up for a good four finger grip plus sacrifices usable edge length.

Carriability: The Para 3 does not offer more cutting edge than the Delica, has not a handle that offers a good four finger grip, but still is clearly bulkier in the pocket than the Delica. And the Delica, despite having full liners, is still lighter than even the Para 3 lw.

Lock:
I prefer the backlock, but that's just personal preference.

That all being said: The Para 3 still is a cool little baby PM2, and many, many love it. It's just not for me.
Last edited by Wartstein on Sat Feb 08, 2020 12:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
Top three going by pocket-time (update March 24):
- EDC: Endura thin red line ffg combo edge (VG10); Wayne Goddard PE (4V), Endela SE (VG10)
-Mountains/outdoors: Pac.Salt 1 SE (H1), Salt 2 SE (LC200N), and also Wayne Goddard PE (4V)
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Wartstein
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Re: Military 3 vs delica.

#5

Post by Wartstein »

Added to my post above: Get a Chap FRN... :D
Top three going by pocket-time (update March 24):
- EDC: Endura thin red line ffg combo edge (VG10); Wayne Goddard PE (4V), Endela SE (VG10)
-Mountains/outdoors: Pac.Salt 1 SE (H1), Salt 2 SE (LC200N), and also Wayne Goddard PE (4V)
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Re: Military 3 vs delica.

#6

Post by cycleguy »

Wartstein wrote:
Fri Feb 07, 2020 5:27 pm
Added to my post above: Get a Chap FRN... :D
I'll second the Chaparral, any configuration.

Para 3 will be a slightly larger footprint than the Delica. More handle same edge. Chaparral a little less handle and edge. UKPK close to the same with choil but no lock.

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VooDooChild
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Re: Military 3 vs delica.

#7

Post by VooDooChild »

Oh. Para 3. Sorry no interest. It doesnt fit my hand.
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Ric
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Re: Military 3 vs delica.

#8

Post by Ric »

Para 3 lightweight.
If you can wait a bit get the SPY27 cobalt-blue version.
I also recommend the Rex45. Both were released in reveal 4 a few weeks ago.

They will be awesome.

Sage 5 lightweight should also be a perfect knife. Did not had it in hand.

Lil Native is a tank in a tiny package.
Comes as backlock or compression lock.

Dragonfly lightweight is the PERFECT small knife. Backlock.

A great slicer in a small package is the chaparral.
There a special moon/sun is upcoming.
But I would recommend the FRN.
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Doc Dan
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Re: Military 3 vs delica.

#9

Post by Doc Dan »

Wartstein wrote:
Fri Feb 07, 2020 5:25 pm
For me Delica over Para 3 by a huge margin. Imho the Delica does all the "small folder things" right, but the Para 3 not so much.

Bladestock:
Delica 2.5, Para 3.6 mm. That's over 40 % thicker, and makes the Delica a better slicer (though of course not only blade stock thickness alone is defining how slicey a blade can be!). Still the Delica blade is easily strong enough, that's true also for the tip (due to the slight drop towards the tip).

Handle:
The Delica offers space for a generous four finger grip on the handle, while one can still perfectly choke up on the Ricasso.
The Para 3 has the size, where imho a choil is not the best choice: Shortens the grip area on the actual handle, so larger hands have to choke up for a good four finger grip plus sacrifices usable edge length.

Carriability: The Para 3 does not offer more cutting edge than the Delica, has not a handle that offers a good four finger grip, but still is clearly bulkier in the pocket than the Delica. And the Delica, despite having full liners, is still lighter than even the Para 3 lw.

Lock:
I prefer the backlock, but that's just personal preference.

That all being said: The Para 3 still is a cool little baby PM2, and many, many love it It's just not for me.
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spyderwolf
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Re: Military 3 vs delica.

#10

Post by spyderwolf »

Para if you like choils,Delica if you don't.
Whenever there is any doubt, there is no doubt.
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archangel
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Re: Military 3 vs delica.

#11

Post by archangel »

spyderwolf wrote:
Sat Feb 08, 2020 3:19 am
Para if you like choils,Delica if you don't.

^^ this. Personally I'd choose the Para 3 cause it penetrates better (and has the much better action).
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Re: Military 3 vs delica.

#12

Post by bearfacedkiller »

Delica = 2.5mm stock
Para3 = 3.7mm stock

The Para3 doesn’t fit my hand very well. I prefer the Native5 or Delica in that size range.
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Wartstein
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Re: Military 3 vs delica.

#13

Post by Wartstein »

spyderwolf wrote:
Sat Feb 08, 2020 3:19 am
Para if you like choils,Delica if you don't.

I´d say (just my personal opinion of course): If you like choils:

- Sage LW (3mm stock instead of overbuilt 3.7 (Para 3), grip is shaped so that one can get a good four finger grip also behind the choil (not so on the Para 3) - and if you prefer the comp.lock
- Or Chap LW (2mm stock, a bit less actual cutting edge, small enough that a choil really makes sense (cause the handle would be too short anyway, with or without choil) - and if you prefer the backlock
Top three going by pocket-time (update March 24):
- EDC: Endura thin red line ffg combo edge (VG10); Wayne Goddard PE (4V), Endela SE (VG10)
-Mountains/outdoors: Pac.Salt 1 SE (H1), Salt 2 SE (LC200N), and also Wayne Goddard PE (4V)
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Re: Military 3 vs delica.

#14

Post by Ric »

Behind Edge / Spine / Blade Stock
Delica (FFG) - .028 / .096 / .096
Para 3 - .025 / .145 / .145
Sage 5 - .019 / .111 / .116
Chaparral CF - .013 / .077 / .077
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Wartstein
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Re: Military 3 vs delica.

#15

Post by Wartstein »

Ric wrote:
Sat Feb 08, 2020 11:58 pm
Behind Edge / Spine / Blade Stock
Delica (FFG) - .028 / .096 / .096
Para 3 - .025 / .145 / .145
Sage 5 - .019 / .111 / .116
Chaparral CF - .013 / .077 / .077

Don´t doubt your measurments, but thickness behind the edge is rather easy to modify (make it thinner), overbuilt (for a small folder) general blade stock not so much... So the Delica can at least easily be made a better slicer than the Para 3, if someone feels it isn´t already despite the much thinner stock...
Top three going by pocket-time (update March 24):
- EDC: Endura thin red line ffg combo edge (VG10); Wayne Goddard PE (4V), Endela SE (VG10)
-Mountains/outdoors: Pac.Salt 1 SE (H1), Salt 2 SE (LC200N), and also Wayne Goddard PE (4V)
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kennethsime
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Re: Military 3 vs delica.

#16

Post by kennethsime »

I like the Delica, but I like the Para 3 a lot more. The compression lock is easier to use with one hand, the ergonomics of the handle feel better to me, I love a good choil, and I like the blade design a little more. Given the choice, I'd go Para 3. That all said, the Delica is still a great knife.

Best advice? Get both, sell off the one you don't end up using so much.
I'm happiest with Micarta and Tool Steel.

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Re: Military 3 vs delica.

#17

Post by Ric »

Wartstein wrote:
Sun Feb 09, 2020 2:23 am
Ric wrote:
Sat Feb 08, 2020 11:58 pm
Behind Edge / Spine / Blade Stock
Delica (FFG) - .028 / .096 / .096
Para 3 - .025 / .145 / .145
Sage 5 - .019 / .111 / .116
Chaparral CF - .013 / .077 / .077
Don´t doubt your measurments
These are not my measurements!
spyderwolf
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Re: Military 3 vs delica.

#18

Post by spyderwolf »

Wartstein wrote:
Sat Feb 08, 2020 11:04 am
spyderwolf wrote:
Sat Feb 08, 2020 3:19 am
Para if you like choils,Delica if you don't.

I´d say (just my personal opinion of course): If you like choils:

- Sage LW (3mm stock instead of overbuilt 3.7 (Para 3), grip is shaped so that one can get a good four finger grip also behind the choil (not so on the Para 3) - and if you prefer the comp.lock
- Or Chap LW (2mm stock, a bit less actual cutting edge, small enough that a choil really makes sense (cause the handle would be too short anyway, with or without choil) - and if you prefer the backlock
Can't argue on that point.I'm alergic to 50/50 choils,so any knife with one is a no go for me from the on set.
Whenever there is any doubt, there is no doubt.
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Re: Military 3 vs delica.

#19

Post by TomAiello »

Of those two I prefer the Para 3 for the ergonomics (finger choil allows fuller grip and better tip control, at least for my hands).

Given a wider selection, I'd take the Chaparral over either one, every time.
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Re: Military 3 vs delica.

#20

Post by jacala »

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