centofante iii

[grahjas]

i am looking into getting a centofante III. How would it compare to say a Paramili, or a delica. Thanks,
Jason

[The Deacon]

ParaMili is an expensive, high quality, medium sized, hard-use knife that packs a 3"+ long, 4mm thick, full flat ground blade and a compression lock into an 3.75 oz. package. The FRN Delica is an inexpensive, reiliable, medium sized knife, suitable for any normal use. It features a 3", 2.5mm thick, partial flat ground blade and a front lock in a thin, sub 2 oz. package. The Centofante III is an inexpensive, medium size, gent's knife (in which context I'd consider it large), suitable for light normal use. It places a 3"+ long 2mm thick, hollow ground blade and front lock in a 2.5 oz. package. Its relatively thick FRN handle has a single steel liner nested in the right scale. Both the Para and the Cento favor right handed users, with no provision for LH clip mounting. Para is tip down only, while the Cento III allows choice of tip up/tip down carry. FRN Delica is full ambi, but tip up only. Prices for the Delica and Cento are about the same from the dealers I most frequently use, with the Para costing 2.5 times as much.

Must admit I was not a fan of the Vesuvius, and find no real improvement over it in the Cento III. Best that I can say is that it packs the longest cutting edge of the trio into its blade. Downside of that, especially if, like me, you've been spoiled by models with 50/50 choils, is that the lack of exposed tang does not allow the same degree of safety when closing the knife one handed. If you do go with the Cento III, and plan on carrying it on a regular basis, seriously consider rounding off the tip of the hump, it will save considerable wear and tear on your pocket.