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RubiSoHo

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Aug 26, 2024
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Hey guys,

I just placed an order for a pair of BladeHQ exclusive Para3 lightweights. I ordered them primarily because I’m a sucker for CPM M4; and they’re a good price at the moment. I can’t wait to get one in hand.

Ive got a collection of mainly Benchmades, as well as a few Microtech’s; but have always eyed Spyderco’s too.

Wondering of there are any issues I should make sure to look for? Having never owned a Spyderco I’m unaware if there are any common issues people see.

Best advice getting the action dialed in?

Interested in your input.
 
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The Para3 LW is a great knife. I doubt very much if you will be disappointed.

The only common issue that I know of is that the blade isn’t always perfectly centered on the lightweight models. I believe it has something to do with the use of only one washer in the pivot.

Mine is moderately off center but I couldn’t care less about that. Doesn’t bother me at all.

I can’t comment on dialing in the action. Mine was just the way I like it out of the box. Close to dropshutty with just enough resistance that it isn’t.

You have a couple of great knives on the way.
 
Congrats on your new knives, hope they’re both perfect examples. I ended up trying to collect them all (para 3s) early on and have too many! I’ve passed on some recently (most FRN models) but did get the same model you purchased. I also prefer the regular G10 version especially with a lynch clip.

I “dial” in my users and adjust the pivot to my liking! Most of the time a good cleaning of the screws is necessary and reapply blue loctite after breaking factory bond. I like resistance on the blade, so no drop shut for me. Still easily opened and flicked closed. Good luck and enjoy your new Para 3s.
 
RubiSoHo said:
CPM M4
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👍🙏
My favorite ! Still , after all the other Superness I have bought over the years .
RubiSoHo said:
common issues
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With these not really . The compression lock is pretty darned friendly out of the box.
Now if it were a Back Lock I could go down a rabbit hole with that one . . .
With the compression lock just use it. If you are like me and like the blade to drop when you unlock it then you might put some super light lube on the pivot and loosen the pivot screw a degree or two and I do mean a degree or two.
Some people hate the blade dropping like a guillotine so if it is doing that then go a whisper tighter and forget the light lube.

It used to be that knives needed to be sharpened properly out of the box including some Spydercos but that was a long time ago now.
Robot sharpening has really been pleasing me , including Spydercos sharpening.
Sure , on some I get all crazy and reprofile and resharpen and polish the bevels if not the whole blade
but
the edges out of the box are worlds more usable than they were five or six years ago .

Bottom line : Remove knife from box , open and close a few times admiring it the whole time and slip into pocket.

PS : I suppose one could tune the pocket-clip-to-handle tension a little ; I like a business card thickness gap myself ; most seam to like them tighter .
PPS: some might smooth the sharpish edge on the opening hole . I have mechanics hands (toughened skin ) and like the edge there for opening the blade so I never smooth the hole edge.
 
So the knife arrived today, first impressions are that the blade is nice, extremely sharp from the factory, I’m digging the shape and the DLC finish on it.

Can’t stand the mint green color of the BladeHQ exclusive (mint green) so I’m going to dye it.

Less of a fan of the compression lock, remember this is my first spyderco, so I’m sure I’ll get used to it; but so far I definitely personally prefer the axis lock on a benchmade, but that’s a matter of personal taste.

All told I think this is a really high-quality knife, especially for the price I paid. I’m diggin’ it.
 
Sal Glesser said:
Hi RubiSoHo,

Welcome to our brand and our forum. Hope you enjoy the piece.

sal
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Greetings Sal :
Kind of off topic but just wanted to thank you again for the ManBug. I already had a few but a week ago bought a PD#1 (mostly for the color but am learning to really like the alloy once I leaned about it) and the ManBug H2 Rescue , spydie edge of course, . . .
I am DISCOVERING all over again how wonderful these are ! They help me get into tight places at work for unpackaging machines on a daily basis .
Especially the little Rescue !
I'm not a serrated or thick blade guy but this little dude is really doing it for me ! ! !
Thank You !
 
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Went ahead and dyed both knives. One i used a straight sandstone RIT dye, about a tablespoon into 4 cups of water and the scales went straight in. Came out a beautiful olive green color that really goes great with the black blade and hardware.

The other knife i gave to my son (who’s gotten into knife collecting with me, which has been a great bonding experience for us.). He added about ⅛ tsp of dark green RIT die to the tan I’d already prepared and put his scales in. They came out a really bitchin’ deep blue-green color that also looks incredible with the black highlights of the knife.

Now that the color is more to my liking, I’m really into this knife. It’s definitely going to compete with my M4 osborne that has been getting all the pocket time lately.
 
Glad you had some fun dying the handles! You’ve truly made them your own now. I’ve had thoughts of doing it to my yellow scales but I think the wife likes them too much.
 
RubiSoHo said:
Went ahead and dyed both knives. One i used a straight sandstone RIT dye, about a tablespoon into 4 cups of water and the scales went straight in. Came out a beautiful olive green color that really goes great with the black blade and hardware.

The other knife i gave to my son (who’s gotten into knife collecting with me, which has been a great bonding experience for us.). He added about ⅛ tsp of dark green RIT die to the tan I’d already prepared and put his scales in. They came out a really bitchin’ deep blue-green color that also looks incredible with the black highlights of the knife.

Now that the color is more to my liking, I’m really into this knife. It’s definitely going to compete with my M4 osborne that has been getting all the pocket time lately.
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Pics?
 
Welcome to Spyderco. Spyderco really shines on investigating new steels and brining them to market for all to enjoy. Some recent example are ZDP-189, K390, Maxamet, and Rex 121 to name a few. Sal and Eric really enjoy knives and you can see that from their products.
 
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