Para 3 in s45vn or 204p which one would you go for?

[Satyaswaroopan]

Hello everyone,
I'm fairly new to knife collecting and I recently bought my first Spyderco, a Native 5 lightweight in Rex-45 steel. Got a pretty sweet deal on it and I'm quite happy with it. Looking at upcoming releases, I would like to get a Para 3 either in s45vn or 204p. Can anyone give any suggestions, what would be the advantage/disadvantage of one over the other? s45vn sounds like a really great all around steel without any real disadvantages and 204p sounds a lot like M390 which is also suppose to be good all around.

[DOUBLE D]

It's hard to say because s45vn hasn't been out yet in the hands of the users. But it does sound nice, seemingly similar to s30v and s35vn. But 204p is supposed to be a step up from those steels.

If your looking to get the best steel, I'd go with the 204p personally. But there are other factors, like handle material/contouring (such as is coming on the para sprints in s45vn, which will be different than the standard g10). But given the same knife in two different steel options, I would pick the 204p for me personally like I said.

On a side note, what is the 204p offering? I wasnt aware of one coming out. I'm not completely in the para series loop though.

[Woodpuppy]

I’d skip both and go for the one in SPY27. But I’ll be looking for a set of those green scales for sure!

[Freediver]

If I had to guess the S45vn is going to be extremely hard to track down. At least you know where/when the 204p is going to drop.

[Ric]

S45VN has the new diamond G10 handle. The steel should be "easier" to sharpen.
204p is a better steel. Which handle color will it be?

[kennethsime]

S45VN has the new diamond G10 handle. The steel should be "easier" to sharpen.
204p is a better steel. Which handle color will it be?

The Knifeworks Exclusive Para 3 with CTS 204p will be forest green.

[Satyaswaroopan]

I’d skip both and go for the one in SPY27. But I’ll be looking for a set of those green scales for sure!

Are there any g10 models in SPY27? I've only seen FRN so far. I don't mind FRN but I prefer g10 mainly due to all the customization that you can do with it. From what I've seen so far, there are very few options for FRN models.

[Satyaswaroopan]

If I had to guess the S45vn is going to be extremely hard to track down. At least you know where/when the 204p is going to drop.

From what I've seen, the s45vn is actually going to be available at quite a few vendors while the 204p is only available at 3 places right now. From the research I've done so far, here's where each one will be available:

Para 3 204p
https://www.knivesplus.com/spyderco-par ... 3pcbl.html
https://knifeworks.com/spyderco-para-3- ... 10-handle/

Paramilitary 2 204p
https://riversedgecutlery.com/rivers-edge-exclusives/ - I contacted them and they said they don't have a date yet on when this will be available

Para 3 s45vn
https://www.gpknives.com/spyderco-para- ... gpfgr.html
https://knifejoy.com/spyderco-c223gpfgr ... run-knife/
https://www.knivesplus.com/spyderco-par ... gpfgr.html
https://knifeworks.com/spyderco-para-mi ... 10-handle/
https://www.dlttrading.com/spyderco-par ... sprint-run
https://www.smkw.com/spyderco-para-3-green-g-10-sprint
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/SP223G ... military-3
https://riversedgecutlery.com/products/ ... -g-10.html
https://bladeops.com/spyderco-sprint-ru ... 5vn-blade/
https://www.knivesshipfree.com/spyderco ... c223gpfgr/

Paramilitary 2 s45vn
https://riversedgecutlery.com/products/ ... n-g10.html
https://bladeops.com/spyderco-sprint-ru ... 5vn-blade/
https://www.knivesshipfree.com/spyderco ... c81gpfgr2/

If anyone knows of any other vendors/dealers, please add them to the list, this way everyone can benefit knowing they have multiple options.

[Ric]

Which one do you prefer?
What are you thoughts about S45 compared to 204p?

[JustinB]

I love the 204p on my Knifeworks PM2, so I would say go with the 204p Para 3

[TomAiello]

I'd go with the 204p. The Knifeworks 204p is my favorite military by far.

[TkoK83Spy]

I'd go with the 204p. The Knifeworks 204p is my favorite military by far.

I'm with you Tom. I love my Millie, but when I want something that's not so big in the pocket I certainly wouldn't mind downsizing to the Para 3 version. Great steel, and in my eyes a top 3 G10 color.

[kennethsime]

I wish they would re-run the PM2, that'd be an instant buy for me.