PARA 3

Discuss Spyderco's products and history.
rmeron
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PARA 3

#1

Post by rmeron »

Is the G10 PARA 3 stronger than the PARA 3 LW ?
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ladybug93
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Re: PARA 3

#2

Post by ladybug93 »

i saw it doing deadlifts at the gym.
keep your knife sharp and your focus sharper.
current collection:
C253GBBK, C258GFBL, C101GBBK2, C11GYW, C11FWNB20CV, C101GBN15V2, C101GODFDE2, C60GGY, C149G, C189, C101GBN2, MT35, C211TI, C242CF, C217GSSF, C101BN2, C85G2, C91BBK, C142G, C122GBBK, LBK, LYL3HB, C193, C28YL2, C11ZPGYD, C41YL5, C252G, C130G, PLKIT1
spyderco steels:
CPM 20CV, CPM 15V, CTS 204P, CPM CRUWEAR, CPM S30V, N690Co, M390, CPM MagnaCut, LC200N, CTS XHP, H1, 8Cr13MoV, GIN-1, CTS BD1, VG-10, VG-10/Damascus, 440C
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standy99
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Re: PARA 3

#3

Post by standy99 »

Yes… a lot heavier also. 70g for LW and 95g for G10
G10 and liners v FRN

Both capable knives. But if it was for heavier tasks I would be going the G10
Im a vegetarian as technically cows are made of grass and water.
Dnwrghtsr
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Re: PARA 3

#4

Post by Dnwrghtsr »

My para3 lw rex45 is my go to summer carry knife. Absolutely love it.
Lc200n, s90v, magnacut, 20v, 204p, cruwear, s110v, 15v, cts-xhp
z1r
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Re: PARA 3

#5

Post by z1r »

Dnwrghtsr wrote:
Mon Jan 30, 2023 7:32 am
My para3 lw rex45 is my go to summer carry knife. Absolutely love it.
yes, it is light and handy.
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Wartstein
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Re: PARA 3

#6

Post by Wartstein »

I am certain a G 10 Para 3 must be "stronger" than a Para 3 LW, and that one could find artifical tests that would show that.

But I am also certain: For any even just remotely folder typical task the LW will be way strong enough imo (to be clear: I had a Para 3 LW just for a month, so I can´t talk about long term durability).

(Edited for spelling)
Last edited by Wartstein on Mon Jan 30, 2023 10:20 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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Mrj
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Re: PARA 3

#7

Post by Mrj »

ladybug93 wrote:
Mon Jan 30, 2023 6:09 am
i saw it doing deadlifts at the gym.
Sorry I didn’t see you there. I wish I’d known you saw me there. I would have said hi.
MRj “Weak things break!”
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ladybug93
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Re: PARA 3

#8

Post by ladybug93 »

for a more serious answer... it seems there is a cycle with questions on the forum and the debate over handle materials that resurfaces from time to time and it always comes in a wave of threads on the topic.

bottom line: there is not a material spyderco uses in their knives that is not appropriate for a pocket knife being used as a pocket knife. the same goes for locks.

i personally prefer the beefier construction of a knife with g10 and liners. however, if i ever really need that much strength in a folding knife, i should probably be using a fixed blade or some other tool altogether. technically, the liners and g10 is stronger than the lw frn/frcp knives, but you won't break your knife handle by using your pocket knife like a pocket knife. your knife doesn't need to be bomb proof because neither are you.
keep your knife sharp and your focus sharper.
current collection:
C253GBBK, C258GFBL, C101GBBK2, C11GYW, C11FWNB20CV, C101GBN15V2, C101GODFDE2, C60GGY, C149G, C189, C101GBN2, MT35, C211TI, C242CF, C217GSSF, C101BN2, C85G2, C91BBK, C142G, C122GBBK, LBK, LYL3HB, C193, C28YL2, C11ZPGYD, C41YL5, C252G, C130G, PLKIT1
spyderco steels:
CPM 20CV, CPM 15V, CTS 204P, CPM CRUWEAR, CPM S30V, N690Co, M390, CPM MagnaCut, LC200N, CTS XHP, H1, 8Cr13MoV, GIN-1, CTS BD1, VG-10, VG-10/Damascus, 440C
z1r
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Re: PARA 3

#9

Post by z1r »

Wartstein wrote:
Mon Jan 30, 2023 9:40 am
I am certain a G 10 Para 3 must be "stronger" than a Para 3 LW, and that one could find artifical tests that would show that.

But I am also certain: For any even just remotely folder typical task the LW will be way strong enough imo (to be clear: I had a Para 3 LW just for a month, so I can´t talk about long term durability).

(Edited for spelling)
The issue of strength as related to handle material comes up frequently. In my mind, since I don't use my pocket knife as a prying tool, steel liners aren't a priority to me. Plus, I tend to favor steels that aren't known for "toughness". So, even the linerless Stretch 2 XL is more than sturdy enough for my typical uses. Anything that required any sort of chopping or similar use gets delegated to a fixed blade.

I will say that I do, for some reason, think of my G10 Manix 2 as a tank, though I never really use it in that role.
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ladybug93
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Re: PARA 3

#10

Post by ladybug93 »

z1r wrote:
Mon Jan 30, 2023 10:55 am
Wartstein wrote:
Mon Jan 30, 2023 9:40 am
I am certain a G 10 Para 3 must be "stronger" than a Para 3 LW, and that one could find artifical tests that would show that.

But I am also certain: For any even just remotely folder typical task the LW will be way strong enough imo (to be clear: I had a Para 3 LW just for a month, so I can´t talk about long term durability).

(Edited for spelling)
The issue of strength as related to handle material comes up frequently. In my mind, since I don't use my pocket knife as a prying tool, steel liners aren't a priority to me. Plus, I tend to favor steels that aren't known for "toughness". So, even the linerless Stretch 2 XL is more than sturdy enough for my typical uses. Anything that required any sort of chopping or similar use gets delegated to a fixed blade.

I will say that I do, for some reason, think of my G10 Manix 2 as a tank, though I never really use it in that role.
i haven't used a s2xl yet, but i do notice my pacific salt doesn't feel as sturdy as i prefer. the knife can still take a lot of work, but it's a psychological thing for me. aside from that, i know the knife doesn't need to be more sturdy than it is.

lately, the bigger issue for me is compatibility with aftermarket mods. i need to slow down my knife purchases, so i've been looking more at making them mine. the problem with linerless knives is that you can't really do this. the knives like the salt series or the s2xl can't take aftermarket scales. you can't add something like a signet ring to the salts because there is no backspacer. i would love a salt 2 wharncliffe with a signet ring, but it's not possible. i would love a s2xl with micarta scales, but i don't think that will ever happen unless i pay the crazy amount for the cruwear version.
keep your knife sharp and your focus sharper.
current collection:
C253GBBK, C258GFBL, C101GBBK2, C11GYW, C11FWNB20CV, C101GBN15V2, C101GODFDE2, C60GGY, C149G, C189, C101GBN2, MT35, C211TI, C242CF, C217GSSF, C101BN2, C85G2, C91BBK, C142G, C122GBBK, LBK, LYL3HB, C193, C28YL2, C11ZPGYD, C41YL5, C252G, C130G, PLKIT1
spyderco steels:
CPM 20CV, CPM 15V, CTS 204P, CPM CRUWEAR, CPM S30V, N690Co, M390, CPM MagnaCut, LC200N, CTS XHP, H1, 8Cr13MoV, GIN-1, CTS BD1, VG-10, VG-10/Damascus, 440C
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kennethsime
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Re: PARA 3

#11

Post by kennethsime »

ladybug93 wrote:
Mon Jan 30, 2023 6:09 am
i saw it doing deadlifts at the gym.
:rofl
rmeron wrote:
Mon Jan 30, 2023 6:05 am
Is the G10 PARA 3 stronger than the PARA 3 LW ?
OP, here’s my unsolicited advice: get yourself a Para 3 LW, and a PM2. The G-10 Para 3 is overkill.
I'm happiest with Micarta and Tool Steel.

Top four in rotation: K390 + GCM PM2, ZCarta Shaman, Crucarta PM2, K390 + GCM Straight Spine Stretch.
z1r
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Re: PARA 3

#12

Post by z1r »

Ladybug, that's why I'm grateful that Spyderco makes different versions. I totally get the, I want a "sturdy" feeling knife idea. When I was a mechanic, I probably never carried a knife that weighed less than 4 oz, heck, I bet some like my Buck 110 or my old timer probably weighed closer to 8 oz. Being an Office nerd these days, something lighter and less obvious in office clothing is appreciated.

I can also appreciate that if you like to accessorize a knife, liners are nice. Luckily, I haven't gone down that rabbit hole yet. I'm not a huge fan of Salt knives, simply because in my dry climate, I don't need the corrosion resistant qualities, but I do really appreciate the linerless construction and of course the models offered with a Hawkbill blade.

That said, I always find a a way to rotate a PM2 into my carry. I agree with Kennethsime, I kinda like the LW Para 3 over the G10, preferring instead to simply step up to the PM2.

I imagine that if I whittled a lot or performed tasks where heavy cuts were needed, not necessarily prying, I might want something with liners if I needed to perform those tasks with a folding knife. That's exactly why I keep my Hap40 M2!
R100
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Re: PARA 3

#13

Post by R100 »

kennethsime wrote:
Mon Jan 30, 2023 12:07 pm
ladybug93 wrote:
Mon Jan 30, 2023 6:09 am
i saw it doing deadlifts at the gym.
:rofl
rmeron wrote:
Mon Jan 30, 2023 6:05 am
Is the G10 PARA 3 stronger than the PARA 3 LW ?
OP, here’s my unsolicited advice: get yourself a Para 3 LW, and a PM2. The G-10 Para 3 is overkill.
These are wise words. I never use my G10 Para 3 since I got the LW (I have two - 4V and SPY27). If I want more Para than the LW I will always grab a PM2.

Dan
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billdoier72
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Re: PARA 3

#14

Post by billdoier72 »

The blade would fail long before either handle would, so it really comes down to personal preference.
Delica 4 VG10 - Dragonfly 2 K390 Warnnie - Chaparral CTS-XHP - Native 5 M4/Rex/45/4v - Para 3 CTS-BD1/Maaxamet/4V/20CV - Lil Native - Cruwear - Sage 5 S30V - Jester 4V
Skar
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Re: PARA 3

#15

Post by Skar »

I like the feel of the g10 better .
Over kill or not, it feels better in hand.
Ric
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Re: PARA 3

#16

Post by Ric »

G10 should be stronger than lightweight.

Full metal liners.
The lightweight has only 1 small liner.

I have both, use mainly the lightweight.
rmeron
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Re: PARA 3

#17

Post by rmeron »

Thanks to you all.
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standy99
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Re: PARA 3

#18

Post by standy99 »

But … if you….Want bomb proof get a GB2 :winking-tongue

Probably the toughest folder around.
Im a vegetarian as technically cows are made of grass and water.
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Wartstein
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Re: PARA 3

#19

Post by Wartstein »

standy99 wrote:
Tue Jan 31, 2023 6:12 am
But … if you….Want bomb proof get a GB2 :winking-tongue

Probably the toughest folder around.

Hmmm... what about the stainless steel sabre grind Endura? :winking-tongue
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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