Spyderco Forums

I love my Delica but miss the fidget factor of the compression lock PM2? Is there a Spyderco in the D4 size with a compression lock? Or at least similar fun factor to a PM? Thanks!

PS and if it came in a Salt version, I’d be smitten!

Para 3 Salt?

I was thinking of that knife. I think it’s a little bigger than a Delica but probably manageable.

I don’t know if there is an ETA on it yet though.

Check out the Mantra 3 as well. It's discontinued, but should still be readily available on the secondary market.

mikey177 wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 20, 2024 3:34 pm

Check out the Mantra 3 as well. It's discontinued, but should still be readily available on the secondary market.

Will do

+1 for a Para 3 LW, it's just a little bigger than a Delica, has the compression lock, and now has a Salt version shipping.

Here are some comparison photos of the Mantra 3, Delica 4 and Para 3 LW.

Joelc73 wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 20, 2024 3:03 pm

I love my Delica but miss the fidget factor of the compression lock PM2? Is there a Spyderco in the D4 size with a compression lock? Or at least similar fun factor to a PM? Thanks!

PS and if it came in a Salt version, I’d be smitten!

Don´t know about "fun and fidget factor" generally and of a comp.lock (imo a backlock can do pretty much all a comp.lock can), but that´s just me.

I think the Para 3 LW is your option here indeed if you want a comp.lock and a Salt.
In all length dimensions it is almost exactly like the Delica (Closed, blade, edge), also the weight of the (lineress) Para 3 LW is the same as the (linered) Delicas.
To me the Para 3 LW just felt a lot more "bulky",thicker and wider, but that does not have to be a con (in hand)!

If you skip the "Salt" part, of course there are knives like the Sage 5 LW or the Watu (same package as the Delica, but a lot more cutting edge from what I read (don´t have one) - and perhaps discontinued? Not sure).

/ Or you go up a size category and opt for the Manix 2 LW Salt... I figure the CBBL would give you the "fidget factor" you want, but also a stronger closing bias and potentially improved ergos (no cutout) over a comp.lock.

Thanks so much. Great input.

I didn’t realize the PM3 was close in size to the Delica. That makes the PM3 LW a good option. I wish there was a ship date on the PM3 Salt.

Try the Watu. It is discontinued but there are likely still a few lingering on shelves. Thin CPM-20CV blade, slicy like a Delica, and fidgetty with a compression lock.

Taichung build quality and a deep carry wire clip.

Far right:


Edit: fixed steel name

Para 3 LW is hard to beat. Don't have one, but the action on the one I had a chance to handle was addictive. For some reason I enjoyed playing with it more than with the PM2 (which is a great knife!). I think it was the weight balance of heavy-ish blade and light handle.

If you would consider liner lock fidget-able (I do, btw), then try to get your hands on the Brouwer. One of the knives I really should have kept. For a lot less - Astute is more fun than I would have expected (smooth and great handle shape).

Joelc73 wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 21, 2024 11:08 am

... I wish there was a ship date on the PM3 Salt.

The Para 3 Salt started shipping to dealers over a week ago, and sold out fast in several places. You might still be able to find it in stock somewhere.

Sage 5?

FWIW the Smock fits the fidget thing better than any Spyderco I've had. You can even get it chopped by Digdug if you require a 3"

Pokey wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 21, 2024 7:17 pm

Sage 5?

+1

Pokey wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 21, 2024 7:17 pm

Sage 5?

I´d go for that over the Para 3, but he wants a Salt...

Salt category-Para 3
Non-Salt category-Sage 5

Is the Sage similar in size to the Delica? And is the LW version the one to get?

Joelc73 wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 22, 2024 5:44 am

Is the Sage similar in size to the Delica? And is the LW version the one to get?

Yes, in the length-dimension it pretty much is.
You can compare specs yourself by opening "technical specs" for a certain knife on the Spyderco site:

Here https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details/C11F/456 the Delica
Here https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details/C123BK/1790 the Sage 5 LW

/ I´d definitely go for the Sage LW version.
But keep in mind: It is "another kind of lightweight" than the linerless Para 3 LW.
The Sage LW still has liners and is actually not that light (same weight as a Manix 2 LW for example - as said, a knife I´d consider if I were you, and you can have it as a Salt)

Brock O Lee wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 21, 2024 3:50 pm

Try the Watu. It is discontinued but there are likely still a few lingering on shelves. Thin CPM-20CV blade, slicy like a Delica, and fidgetty with a compression lock.

Taichung build quality and a deep carry wire clip.

Ok this got me thinking of buying a Watu before they're sold out everywhere. Can I ask what do you think of the handle, in terms of grip and ergonomics? I usually use G10 or FRN and never had any carbon fiber laminate Spydercos.