It seems counterintuitive, BUT...(Para 3 vs PM2)

Calier

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May 24, 2020
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Am I the only one who feels that the PM2 carries better than the Para 3? Even thought the PM2 is bigger and heavier, it seems to tuck into the seam of my front pocket better than the para 3 does. It carries deeper and when carrying tip up, the "hump" of the spydie hole sinks deeper into the pocket. I feel like my hand fits better in my pocket when carrying the PM2 vs Para 3. This is something that really surprised me when I first tried the Para 3. Anyone have the same experience?
 
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Never tried a Para 3 but it looks similar in size to the Native. I personally find the PM2 to be quite a perfectly sized knife for my hands, so I would never consider a Para 3.
 
My Para 3 LW is much slimmer in the pocket than my Paramilitary 2.
It's probably different than the standard Para 3 given it has the clip in a different spot.
If the offset clip on the Para 3 is worse than the Paramilitary 2, then I'm glad I opted for the Para 3 LW version.
 
Never tried a Para 3 but it looks similar in size to the Native. I personally find the PM2 to be quite a perfectly sized knife for my hands, so I would never consider a Para 3.
Don't get me wrong, I quite like the Para 3. I'm an average sized guy who wears a size L glove and can get a full 4 finger grip without using the choil. Its actually a very nicely sized knife IMO. I'm just surprised that the PM2 seems to carry pretty small in the pocket for its size, and that the Para 3 carries a bit large.
 
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My Para 3 LW is much slimmer in the pocket than my Paramilitary 2.
It's probably different than the standard Para 3 given it has the clip in a different spot.
If the offset clip on the Para 3 is worse than the Paramilitary 2, then I'm glad I opted for the Para 3 LW version.
The Para 3 clip placement is bad, but remedied with a deep carry clip. I had the Para 3 LW until recently, it easily carries the best out of the 3 knives.
 
I love the PM2, the S110V version was my first Spyderco and I love to carry it while camping, but in my opinion, the Para 3 is the best edc knife Spyderco has to offer based on use (can do 95% of what a PM2 can do) and the carry with a LNW Clip on either knife makes the Para 3 vastly superior IMO.
 
The LanyardLump is what has kept me from ever keeping a PM2 in spite of multiple ownership's. I have a Para3 LW inbound now to see if the wire deepcarry setup works for me.
 
I have a Para3 LW inbound now to see if the wire deepcarry setup works for me.
It's going to carry so much slimmer than the PM2 or Para3.
I never really liked the paper/wire clips. They feel too flimsy to me.
I'd add a Lynch wire replacement clip for a sturdy feel and ultimate carry.
I also added a back spacer to hide the ugly plastic standoffs. Makes a better looking knife.

 
I am never a fan of small knives with a thick blade, the main reason that I never tried Para 3, Techno, ZT 0900, etc. (OTOH I have multiple Delica 4s)
 
I am never a fan of small knives with a thick blade, the main reason that I never tried Para 3, Techno, ZT 0900, etc. (OTOH I have multiple Delica 4s)
The Delica is a classic, and one that I will likely never part with. If you give the para 3 a try, you may find that having a thicker stock on that knife is actually pretty nice. I love that the Para 3 is built like a little tank. The blade is still pretty thinly ground, so it is a nice slicer. Sure not as slicey as the chaparral or Delica, but slicey enough IMO.
 
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I never really liked the paper/wire clips. They feel too flimsy to me.
I'd add a Lynch wire replacement clip for a sturdy feel and ultimate carry.

I've never understood the popularity of the wire clip, Especially on FRCP/FRN models. I've bent and/or "rolled" the clip over on every version used for med -hard cutting! Even on my G10 Lil Native, The wire clip didn't last long. The Lynch wire clip replacement is gold IMO.

Even with bigger hands I prefer the Para 3 over the Paramilitary 2 for EDC!
 
I must be one of those minorities that find the pm2 an awkward size...

I live wedged between some states that do the 3in rule, that's when I pull out the pm3 which fits my hand perfectly (med-small sized). Anywhere else I find the Millitary (that's right!) Much much more comfortable in my hand. The scales on the millitary (the CF ones I got from an enabler here on the forums) have contoured sides and is SUPERBLY ergonomic, whereas the pm2 and pm3 feel a little flat. You can grip the millitary anywhere on the handle and its comfortable, it carries light, thin and has a smooth liner lock.

I have a pm2, but dont carry it often. I'll snap a picture later of the scales if I remember...
 
Pm2 for me great size carries a bit slimmer than my manix 2 which is another one of my favorites
 
Im 6'11" with XXL hands so its a no brainer for me, the PM2. Ive held a para 3 and it just didnt fit my hand nearly as well.
 
Isn't it Awesome, we have all the Spyderco's offerings, to be able to debate over such a thing!!!!

I myself enjoy both. They both fit the hand comfortably.
The Para 3, with a MXG(not so deep) deep carry clip or the PM2, with stock clip.

Tho.. sometimes I put one in my pocket and it just isn't the knife for the day, so I swap it out.

Some days it isn't either... So I pick one of the other umpteen Spyderco's, to carry!
 
It's going to carry so much slimmer than the PM2 or Para3.
I never really liked the paper/wire clips. They feel too flimsy to me.
I'd add a Lynch wire replacement clip for a sturdy feel and ultimate carry.
I also added a back spacer to hide the ugly plastic standoffs. Makes a better looking knife.


I've never understood the popularity of the wire clip, Especially on FRCP/FRN models. I've bent and/or "rolled" the clip over on every version used for med -hard cutting! Even on my G10 Lil Native, The wire clip didn't last long. The Lynch wire clip replacement is gold IMO.

Even with bigger hands I prefer the Para 3 over the Paramilitary 2 for EDC!

Funny. I'd take more models, with wire clips..
Have modified Delica's, Natives, and a Military, to use wire clips.

I don't know that I've found them to lack anything, over the normal clip. If I've ever bent a clip, it wouldn't of mattered which clip it was. It was going to bend.

I prefer the wire clip. In hand, as a deep carry, for discreet, working on car's (don't want to scratch the paint or acid the steering wheel), etc..

All personal choice.
 
Funny. I'd take more models, with wire clips..
Have modified Delica's, Natives, and a Military, to use wire clips.

I don't know that I've found them to lack anything, over the normal clip. If I've ever bent a clip, it wouldn't of mattered which clip it was. It was going to bend.

I prefer the wire clip. In hand, as a deep carry, for discreet, working on car's (don't want to scratch the paint or acid the steering wheel), etc..

All personal choice.
I too like the wire clip. Very discreet and doesn't catch on furniture and clothes as easily as regular clips. I once scratched my car door with a BM 940 clip.
 
That's what was talking about. That little bit of extra machining on the corner of this military makes it so much more comfortable in hand.
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It's not there on the pm2 nor my pm3.

Honestly, the pm2 and pm3 are plenty good...never thought I'd be this picky about handle scale machining lol.

Anyway long story short my vote is on the millitary :p
 
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