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

[8th_Note]

So I have a G10 Para 3 that I carry every day (along with another knife or 2, rotating daily depending on factors). I've got my eye on a G10 Sage 5 in SPY27. But I started looking at the specs side by side. Other than thinner blade stock, every other spec is within a hairs breadth of the Para 3. I've never owned a Sage. Do I really need to??
I've also got my eye on a CF and S30V Sage 1. Maybe that's the better choice??

I want to hear thoughts, one way or the other

Thanks in advance

[Bearcat1]

I have a Sage 1 in S30V. I bought it used on the secondary market. Stick with what you have. I am not sure there is much difference.

[Mrj]

No but yes!
I love the Para 3. Hence I own all of the Sprints and exclusives. But I have a few Sage and it is just a different knife that’s the same size. It feels different in hand. Blade is a touch thinner so it’s slices. I would sick to Para3 but definitely try the new button lock sage 6 over a liner lock version. I’d wait for the sprint s90v and carbon fiber.

[Red Leader]

Sage is a good slicer, awesome blade shape and high build quality, but it does feel a skosh ‘lighter duty’ than a Para 3. But take that with a grain of salt - my other carry folder is a Cold Steel SR1 so my perspective on ‘heavy duty’ is warped for sure lol.

[Burton Knut]

I was just thinking today…do I really need my Para3s now that I’ve got these sweet Sage 5s?

[Mrj]

The maxamet Sage one is on a good mark down most places. That one is a good choice. But until you’ve experienced “15v on a Para 3”. Shew wee! No sage can hold that blade!!! Or should I say “won’t”

[Mat_ski]

You definitely don’t need it. But it does sound like you want it. Don’t let us tell you how to spend your money.

[Red Leader]

You definitely don’t need it. But it does sound like you want it. Don’t let us tell you how to spend your money.

Au contraire! You should get one!


Just kidding. At the very least, get one in your hands to fiddle w/ to see if you like it before committing (I know, easier said than done). I find it to be a very nice EDC knife if I am looking for light duty. In fact, it is just about the perfect small/mid EDC knife.

To me, it does feel different than the Para 3, especially the action. Not bad, just different. I slightly like the feel of a great Para 3 a teeny bit more, but YMMV. My Sage 5 R121 is a lovely and smooth knife.

[Zipper]

Need or want? Considering - A need is something essential for survival or well-being, while a want is something desirable but not essential for living.
I gather your signature block shows your current Spyderco knives. Like most of us, you already have a number of knives I could argue cover similar ground, if it comes down blade size/shape. All are obviously capable of the basic task of cutting.
I have Para 3’s (G10 and LW) in 4 different steels, and Sages (G10 and LW) in 2 different steels.
As long as I have the disposable income, I justify purchasing similar size knives in different models by getting them in different steels or materials - sprint runs etc.
Looking at your list you don’t have any Spy27 in your collection (nor do I). If the model and the steel interests you and you can afford it, go for it.

[apollo]

Well if you can handle one in person that would answer your own question easily.
There are many people like me who started with liking a para version just to disliking it after buying another Spydie.
I still have para 2’s but they feel like so wrong compared to my Manixes.
Almost never use them again or it must be for a job or place i can loose my knife.
So the Sage could do the same for you like the Manix does for me.

[Evil D]

Most of us don't NEED most of what we own, it's more a question for yourself, are the ergonomics and steel and such different enough for you or would it be too redundant?

It's a little redundant for me unless it's the Rex 121 version, which is something I can only get in this model. Otherwise I have other knives that do all the tricks that a Sage does.

[TkoK83Spy]

Slightly different ergos and different blade shape. I personally like the Sage better, but the prices of knives these days...I don't think it's worth it. Very similar knives.

[abbazaba]

Sage fits my hand worlds better than the Para3, that just feels like a compromised PM2 for me. The handle of the Sage accommodates a wider palm/grip. Sage is one of Sal's best designs IMO. Def don't need it, but if the Para3 is your favorite knife, I think you should hold the Sage.

[Guts]

If we're talking G10 models, I feel like it's kind of a wash. Blade shapes (or cutting edge rather) are similar enough that I don't consider one better than the other in usage. Although the Para 3 does have more steel choice currently in the G10 variety, which may or may not influence your decision. Sage 5 does have the pivot bushing if you appreciate a nice opening/closing action.

LW models? Sage all the way. It has the nested liners like the G10 model so it just feels like much more of a solid build, also has the pivot bushing. Sage 5 is also slimmer in the handle and has less of hump on the thumb ramp, not that the thumb ramp on the Para 3 ever bothered me, but everyone's different.

Some of my Sages though have tips a little too close to the top of the handle for my taste. Depending on how much you use and sharpen or what edge geometry you like, it'll become an issue sooner than later. Both models occupy the same use case with the 3" blade for me. I usually grab either one depending on how I feel.

As a bonus, here's a couple photos

[Evil D]

This is the deciding part for me.

[Cowboyfromhell]

Not a need just a want. Seems like you dove head first in the deep end of Spyderco. Dude just got here and buys 15 Spyderco in 4 months. Save the loot and use what ya got for now.....I get it though, its fun to buy things and makes ya feel good for a bit. Cheers.

[Scandi Grind]

If your thinking Spy27, now might be the time :

viewtopic.php?t=98121&sid=79ad7b99d1438 ... 3346c0b335

[Wartstein]

Sage fits my hand worlds better than the Para3, that just feels like a compromised PM2 for me. The handle of the Sage accommodates a wider palm/grip......

This is the deciding part for me.

Screenshot_20250502_192005_Brave.jpg

This is and illustrates what I´ve said in quite some posts before....

The Para 3 sure is a cool and very successful knife, but to me it looked and when I tested it also felt like a "shrunken PM 2" that takes over features of the PM2 which do not necessarily fit the smaller Para 3 anymore - and not like a small folders that was designed from scratch to be just that, a "perfect small folder"...

One main point here being exactly what David shows: The grip area restricting "hook" at the handle end is nice for most hand sizes on the PM2 since it locks the hand in. On the smaller Para 3 though somewhat larger hands are actually forced to use the choil due to that "hook" - and WHEN one uses the choil the hand is locked in anyway due to the "rear guard" behind the index finger.

Another point is the in comparison to the size really thick blade stock taken over from the PM2 with still a rather fine tip (when I had my Para 3 it was no match for my Delica in "sliciness", while I still had to be a bit careful with the fine tip, so not even in theory one could make use of the thick stock in "super hard use").

All in all the Para 3 felt like a "small knife that carries big" for me (also comparably pretty "heavy" for a linerless LW version (which I had)).

Now the Sage seems to remedy the "issues" of the Para 3:

Still robust, but not that thick blade stock with still not too fine/weak tip
Handle perfectly designed for a small folder by maximizing the actual grip area as much as possible
More subtle and less steep thumb ramp so the hand does not get pushed too far back on the already short handle.

Just my 2c, and as I also always say: I´d gladly take a Para 3 over most small folders of any other brand! It is just not my favorite in Spydercos own lineup.

[JayHenMac]

It's hard to add to what has already been posted. Both knives fill the same need. They are both wonderful 3-inch compression lock pocket knives with finger choils. I can't say that one is better than the other as an overall knife.
I prefer the Sage because of the less pronounced thumb ramp and thinner blade stock. I also like the shape of the blade, not from a functionality standpoint, but from a visual standpoint. 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.

[Wartstein]

.... 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.