Evil D wrote: ↑Tue Mar 28, 2023 1:24 pmYeah I'm pretty certain that the design process of the Para 3 probably never even included the word "Delica" in the conversation, it's just a smaller Para 2 and in that way it's everything it should be. The blade matches the Para 2's thickness in part because the lock needs that thickness but also because it matches the Para 2. I have no doubt there are people who appreciate the extra sturdiness of the Para 3 who can't legally carry a Para 2, and I think that's ultimately the point here. It's a smaller, length law compliant version of the Para 2.
Agreed almost completely.
It is a perfect smaller PM2 indeed, if the goal was to keep the Para 3 as close to the PM2 as possible.
I think though what this thread is about is why the extreme hype around this knife faded a bit, and not at all that it would be a "bad folder"!
And I still could imagine this "fading" is because more people realized that the Para 3 is a bit more of a niche knife than Sage or Delica, exactly because it keeps that PM2 features, originally designed for a larger folder.
The "most-people-can-agree-on" small folder probably is not about that "extra sturdiness" (that has no practical relevance anyway, cause I don´t think anyone ever uses a Para 3 with its thick blade, but comparably fine tip for stuff a Sage 5 could not take).
And the one thing I don´t fully agree: The comp.lock does not need 3.7 mm bladestock to be strong enough, does it? The Sage has "only" 3 mm for example, and there are 2.5 mm stock comp.locks out there too...
Anyway, the Para 3 IS a good knife, and I actually did like my LW SE variant! Just still not the small Spydie I personally would keep when I can have Delica, Native, Sage or Chap.