Do I really need a Sage 5 if I already own a Para 3

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JayHenMac
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Location: Dallas, GA

Re: Do I really need a Sage 5 if I already own a Para 3

#21

Post by JayHenMac »

Wartstein wrote:
Mon May 05, 2025 10:22 am

I´d be interested how much or if at all a difference in "sliciness" can be perceived between Para 3 and Sage... conceptually I clearly think that the 3mm of the Sage blade are more than thick enough for such small folders, but given the a bit taller blade of the Para 3, or possibly the tapering, it might be that the difference between the 3.00 and the 3.70 are not that noticeable after all.

What I can say is that directly comparing a 2.5 mm Salt 2 SE and a 3.7 mm Para 3 LW SE, the former just had better geometry for cutting in my use.

One slight pro thicker stock has though: Makes it a tad more comfortable to put the finger on the spine of the blade.
I have a P3 SE, and PE. I also have a S5 PE and a custom S5 SE. I had the serrations added.
I like using all of them, but the S5 SE beats the other three in performance. My pocket knife opinion is that slicier is better. The P3 with serrations is great, but the thinner S5 is better.

The Sage with serrations is so good that I consider buying a Salt and sending it off to the same shop to have serrations added. The only reason I hold off is in hopes that a factory version comes out with that sweet sweet Spyderedge. The Spyderedge pattern is a little different, and I find it is better than the aftermarket version. Also the cost almost doubles the price of the knife.

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quasistellar
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Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2025 12:36 pm

Re: Do I really need a Sage 5 if I already own a Para 3

#22

Post by quasistellar »

Wartstein wrote:
Mon May 05, 2025 10:22 am
JayHenMac wrote:
Mon May 05, 2025 9:39 am
.... In plain edge, the thickness difference isn't too noticeable for my uses. In serrated edge though, i think the thinner stock would be my preference.

I´d be interested how much or if at all a difference in "sliciness" can be perceived between Para 3 and Sage... conceptually I clearly think that the 3mm of the Sage blade are more than thick enough for such small folders, but given the a bit taller blade of the Para 3, or possibly the tapering, it might be that the difference between the 3.00 and the 3.70 are not that noticeable after all.

What I can say is that directly comparing a 2.5 mm Salt 2 SE and a 3.7 mm Para 3 LW SE, the former just had better geometry for cutting in my use.

One slight pro thicker stock has though: Makes it a tad more comfortable to put the finger on the spine of the blade.
Personally, I find the shallower thumb ramp of the Sage more comfortable than the Para 3. I think the Para probably shines if you're doing more push cuts with its pointier tip and steeper thumb ramp. I just find the Sage to be a more comfortable EDC, but I don't know if I'd rush to get one if I had a Para 3 already that I loved. It's not *that* different.
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SRT392HEMI
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Re: Do I really need a Sage 5 if I already own a Para 3

#23

Post by SRT392HEMI »

Only if you want a knife that is superior in every way to the Para3. 😁
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Halfneck
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Location: Calhoun, Georgia.

Re: Do I really need a Sage 5 if I already own a Para 3

#24

Post by Halfneck »

Evil D wrote:
Fri May 02, 2025 5:21 pm
This is the deciding part for me.


Screenshot_20250502_192005_Brave.jpg
This was also a deciding factor for me.

My oldest son carries a standard Para 3 I'd gotten him. I'd end up fidgeting with it when he was around & was about to get one in Spy27. While at BLADE I handled a Sage 5 and it felt better in my hands than the Para 3 due to the lack of the pinkie hook.
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Pacu0420
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Re: Do I really need a Sage 5 if I already own a Para 3

#25

Post by Pacu0420 »

Of course you do
Steel afficianado and Spyderco nut
JBoone
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Location: Charlotte

Re: Do I really need a Sage 5 if I already own a Para 3

#26

Post by JBoone »

I prefer my sage 5 over my para 3 - I have Rex and spy sage 5s in FRN and carry the Spy frequently these days.

Very similar models as others have pointed out.
Get one and try it out.
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NCJohn62
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Re: Do I really need a Sage 5 if I already own a Para 3

#27

Post by NCJohn62 »

Despite the fact they are very similar in size they are worlds apart in how they fit in my hand. The Sage is just so good, while the P3 is awkward for me. Of all the models in that size range it's by far my favorite.
Catchadroppimgknife
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Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2023 12:23 pm

Re: Do I really need a Sage 5 if I already own a Para 3

#28

Post by Catchadroppimgknife »

for me "Do I really need a Sage 5 if I already own a Para 3" - the answer is no.

Ive had both and just prefer a solid G10 para 3. compact and tough - in Maxamet of course!
Ikhnaton
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Re: Do I really need a Sage 5 if I already own a Para 3

#29

Post by Ikhnaton »

I think you should at least try to get one in your hand, although the specs make it look that they're very similar to each other, I think those two are distinctively different from one another. My Sage 5LW is almost two years old and a year ago I got a Para 3LW for a friend. I use his knife whenever possible, to get a feel for it, but I much prefer the Sage over the Para. Doesn't help that, to me, the Para series is just an eyesore. Great ergonomics, but ugly as **** and for how thick the blade is, I think the tip just doesn't match it, at all.

Try a Sage :)
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