Help me Bite the Bullet (First Spyderco/$100+ Knife)

I have both. I thought the para 3 was great until I got the para 2. Para 3 is still great, it just doesn’t get carried near as often as the para 2. The para 2 just seems to fit my large hands so much better.
 
I prefer the millie but that's more because I don't like the compression lock, just preference.

The PM2 is big in pocket but the clip on the PM3 is poorly place, IMO, which makes it stick out a lot without a deep carry clip. If I had bough a deep carry slip with the PM3 I may have kept it for EDC but it realistically would've been knocked out of the pocket by something like the native 5 eventually anyway as it carries better and is a better size for EDC for my uses.

Edit to add that I think the thumb ramp on the PM3 feels more vertical/pronounce than the PM2, both of which are more pronounced than the millie. Might be the shortened handle.
 
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Another millie carrier saying to go with the pm2 over the para3. No contest if blade length is not restricted to 3”.
 
I have XL-XXL hands, but I prefer the Para3 without hesitation. It fits my hand perfect without a lot of extra handle and Its comfortable in pocket as well. Its like having a robust Delica in your pocket with better steel.
There's probably nothing wrong with the PM2...just that the Para3 is better. Lol I went straight to a Shaman for my larger blade.
 
I have large hands and find the PM2 to be a bit tight. I favor the Manix 2 or Manix 2 back lock knives. However, I still have an S110V PM2 and it is a beautiful knife. It is a real bear to sharpen, though. S30V can be difficult, but nothing like S110V. You must have diamonds to sharpen S110V.
 
I think you should ask how often do you use your knife and for what purposes during the day - for regular edc all of the above suck as compared to say a Delica or Native LW, sometimes price doesn't trump form and function. I have all except for the 3 and lime the native lw best for regular edc.

The Millie and para 2, esp the Millie are great for when you have to cut stuff for a spell, like bikerector the compression locks position bothers me in hand. It shouldn't be a big deal but it is at least to me the manix 2 lw is a winner for me too but manix 2s are polarizing to folks
 
Cursum Perficio said:
For me the Para2 carries better, the Para3 lanyard hole is in the way of a better clip position for carry comfort. I don't use deep carry clips on the Para2, tried it, didn't like it that much. YMMV.

I prefer the Para2 as for me it's blade length, weight, handle size are right in the goldilocks zone.

I don't know where your sharpening skills/equipment is at, though your mention of getting a SM soon suggests you may not have much sharpening experience? Forgive if I'm wrong on that. Point is, S110V may not be your best choice, unless you periodically get it professionally sharpened, and maintain the edge with the SM yourself.

Oh, and, get both :)


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My sharpening skills are nonexistent, but I am still leaning towards the s110v over the s30v. I figured that if I was spending that much money already I should just splurge on the higher end steel. The clip position on the Para 3 isn't influencing my decision. I would really like to own a guided sharpening system, but they are just so dang expensive. I see that you've got a wide array of knives, what is your preferred method of touching up/sharpening/re-profiling? Also, do you have opinion on sharpening choils?
 
^Factor in another 50-100 bucks for some decent diamond/dmt sharpeners of you are going S110v and don't expect a super refined edge.

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While it doesn't have the broad cachet as the pm2 the native lw is an amazing edc. It's basically a fatty delica. I love it!
 
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kbirk2003 said:
My sharpening skills are nonexistent, but I am still leaning towards the s110v over the s30v. I figured that if I was spending that much money already I should just splurge on the higher end steel. The clip position on the Para 3 isn't influencing my decision. I would really like to own a guided sharpening system, but they are just so dang expensive. I see that you've got a wide array of knives, what is your preferred method of touching up/sharpening/re-profiling? Also, do you have opinion on sharpening choils?
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In the world of BF, I am but an amateur, there are some very experienced people and extant posts here of their knowledge and experience. Just want to point that out before I offer the following.

I bought a Wicked Edge rather than learning to sharpen free hand. The WE is expensive and not for everyone, it also does take some practice to get good with it, and it does not negate the need for a basic understanding of blade steels and the principles of knife sharpening.

There are people here who can freehand sharpen to a much better edge than I can get on my WE (I don't have water stones) however I'm satisfied with the results I do get.
I sharpen knives for other people too, to get back some of my investment in the WE, and have become used to hearing things like "sharpest knife I've ever used", so 'sharp' is different things to different people.

I use a Sharpmaker to maintain edges, as everything I have I profile to less than 20'/side. A para2 or 3 will come like that, sharp and ready to be maintained with the SM. I definitely recommend a SM for maintaining an edge.
I do think that trying to profile/sharpen S110V on the SM, even with the additional diamond rods, would be a daunting task. Just an opinion, never tried to myself and wouldn't want to.

The advantage you will get from S110V is excellent retention of a working edge (not a razor edge), largely due to the high level of very hard vanadium carbides in the steel, also the reason it is more difficult to sharpen.

I would suggest not thinking of it as 'higher end' steel so much, rather think about the steels properties that will best suit your needs. We are spoiled with an array of modern steel alloys offering varied balance of properties.
That you are interested S110V is why I suggested you consider the occasional professional sharpening, with you maintaining your edge with the SM between - key with this is don't let it get blunt, keep it touched up.

I like sharpening choils, for getting the entire edge evenly sharp.
It bugs me that my Para2s don't have one, because the WE stones are in a plastic surround that stops me getting that last mm or 2 of the edge sharp. I have thought of using a dremel on it, but I find it to be zero problem functionally so I accept it as is.

I sharpen butcher knives on occasion, for farmers that process their own beef/mutton. As the edge on a lot of those go right into the handle, they also don't get the last mm or 2 of edge sharp. And they never seem to notice, also they don't want any kind of choil or notch that can get snagged on wool when killing a sheep, they want one clean smooth uninterrupted cut.

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PM2. I have medium size hands, perfect ergos. Marginally bigger but carries great due to its light weight and slim profile.
Correct me if I am wrong, I think the PM3 was mostly designed to cover the blade length legal requirements of certain states and municipalities not because of wide demand for a smaller PM. I MO the collector element on BF makes the PM3 look more popular than it actually is.
 
kbirk2003 said:
Hello, I'm relatively new to the forum, but I have been a lurker for quite a while. Just like many of you guys I am looking for the "Perfect EDC Knife". I currently carry a Cold Steel Finn Wolf and before that I carried a Mini AK-47, while both those knives were nice and did everything I needed them to, they lacked the feel of a high quality knife. While looking for a high quality solution I turned to Spyderco. After applying countless filters on Blade HQ and watching way more videos than I should have, I narrowed my decision down to two knives: the Para 3 in s110v or the fan favorite Paramilitary 2 in s110v. I settled on these two knives because they are compatible with the Wise Men Company Fang and Signet Ring, I love wavable knives and the Signet Ring would just add to the fun. I am also planning on purchasing an MXG deep carry clip for the knife I choose to buy. A Sharpmaker would also very closely follow the knife purchase.

Now here are my questions:
-Does the Para 3 carry significantly better than the Paramilitary 2 even though they seem very comparable in size?
-What knife do you prefer and why?
-Is it possible to sharpen s110v on a Sharpmaker without diamond rods?

Don't be afraid to post pictures, we all like to see them.
Now I'm just waiting for the first "Buy Both" reply.

~Koyer
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Hi Koyer,

I personally prefer the Para 2 as the all around perfect Spyderco EDC knife. For your first or only this is the one I would recommend. I love the ergonomics of the G10 handle and knife is just super balanced. It has a big knife feel when open but it carries like a smaller knife when tip-down+deep carry clip. They nailed it on this one!

And... You should buy both of course! But get the Para 2 first :). We sell a ton of Para 2 and 3 but the 2 is definately more popular.
 
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I like the pm2 more. I have had more then I should have of each but para 3 keeps getting sold or traded. It’s a very nice knife especially when you put a decent clip on it. imo unless you live in a state where pm2 isnt a option go for the 2. Also I would just get the s30 versio. If you decide u like it there is a slew of other steels to choose from all having different color and texture/materials.
 
I would suggest you hold at least one of these knives before buying based on the fact that you say you want a quality feeling knife. To some people, spydercos feel cheap..I don't get that from the PM2, but I do get that feeling from my delica (FRN scales), I still think it's a great knife.

I don't trust any of my other folders to hold up better than my PM2s or Manix from Spyderco, I grab them with absolute confidence that they will perform, but IMO it depends what you mean when you say you want to have a knife that has a feel of quality. The PM2 is not a gentleman's folder , but I would 100% tell anyone to get one any day of the week, a great knife to use!
 
If you have larger hands the PM2 might be a better fit than the Para3, which I find uncomfortable with XL hands. PM2 is about as good as it gets and is probably my favorite do it all knife.

Sharpmaker is awesome, and can keep S110v sharp if you don't let it get dull. Diamonds will be a luxury if you damage the blade and need to sharpen it out. I'd take an S30v beater over S110v as my EDC though. Seriously reconsider S110v if your starting from 0 sharpening skills.

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Lipripper said:
I would suggest you hold at least one of these knives before buying based on the fact that you say you want a quality feeling knife. To some people, spydercos feel cheap..I don't get that from the PM2, but I do get that feeling from my delica (FRN scales), I still think it's a great knife.

I don't trust any of my other folders to hold up better than my PM2s or Manix from Spyderco, I grab them with absolute confidence that they will perform, but IMO it depends what you mean when you say you want to have a knife that has a feel of quality. The PM2 is not a gentleman's folder , but I would 100% tell anyone to get one any day of the week, a great knife to use!
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The PM2 feels quality and it is super smooth with precise tolerances. It feels anything but cheap. I was really impressed the first time I tried one. I much prefer the G10 to the FRN.
 

Now here are my questions:
-Does the Para 3 carry significantly better than the Paramilitary 2 even though they seem very comparable in size?
-What knife do you prefer and why?

I've had a lot of PM2's and love them. I bought one PM3 and sold it immediately...much too small to take seriously....I do have large hands.
 
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