Para 3LW initial Thoughts

Not enough differences in cts bd1n and cpm s30v for my uses to notice. I bought the bugout bc a small lightweight deep carry knife appealed to me but hadn't found anything similar in spyderco without buying aftermarket clips. I eventually sold the bugout bc I really love the spyder hole and missed it. Now spyderco has the para 3 lw and I can't wait to get mine in the mail. It's what I really want (deep carry wire clip and spydie hole) and I don't have to compromise plus it's cheaper than the bugout.
 
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Got mine today, and my BO is going to find a new home. ;)

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TXPO
 
I appreciate what all they've done to make this knife have an extremely smooth action. However, that's about all it has going for it as far as I'm concerned.
The knife just feels unbalanced and difficult to hold onto. I don't know whether it's the quality of the FRN they're sourcing in the USA or something to do with the molds, but the handles feel more like cheap ABS than a FRN. Compared side by side to a Delica or a FRN Salt, the Para feels like a toy. I was really hoping they would have improved the plastic from the other LW Golden models but somehow it feels even worse.
 
I agree that the FRN feels more like traditional plastic than the FRN found on the Japanese models but I don’t mind it. The knife feels great in my hand.
 
PineChaos said:
The knife just feels unbalanced and difficult to hold onto.
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So it's blade-heavy when held in a normal grip? Hope not. I find when that's the case it feels like the knife wants to fall out of my hand.
 
AF said:
So it's blade-heavy when held in a normal grip? Hope not. I find when that's the case it feels like the knife wants to fall out of my hand.
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Yes in a normal grip it is a bit blade heavy. It is balanced when gripped at the choil.
 
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Para 3 has only one bronze washer, another side is moving on frn. I wonder how it will works after some time. I already have G10 variation.
 
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Got mine. Balances similar to the Native 5 Lightweight. Very snappy detent. I like that. I do wish they'd use a full nested liner similar to the Seki FRN models. The scales are fairly rigid but they have a plasticy feel. Second wish is that they would use thinner blade stock. The blade feels too beefy for the lightweight frame. I will consider a regrind to thin it out.
Truth is if they would make the G-10 Para 3 with a wire clip I'd have no interest in this model.
 
AF said:
Got mine. Balances similar to the Native 5 Lightweight. Very snappy detent. I like that. I do wish they'd use a full nested liner similar to the Seki FRN models. The scales are fairly rigid but they have a plasticy feel. Second wish is that they would use thinner blade stock. The blade feels too beefy for the lightweight frame. I will consider a regrind to thin it out.
Truth is if they would make the G-10 Para 3 with a wire clip I'd have no interest in this model.
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That my assessment also. When I moved to the bugout it was because I wanted a smaller lighter deep carry blade. The para 3 g10 fit the bill with the exception of the clip.
If the regular para 3 had the deep clip I would have no want for this one

With that the lightweight is a a better option for me than the bugout
As others have said don’t expect a light g10 para 3, cause it isn’t. It is a very nice lightweight less expensive alternative though.
The new plastic from my understanding was required for building lightweight compression lock knives. My guess is the delica type poly would flex over time and cause lock issues.
I don’t mind it too much and have no doubt spyderco will tweak it To improve the general feel in the future based on customer feedback.
I’m very happy with the P3LW overall and look forward to future models.



TXPO
 
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If they change the bladestock from normal Para3, it wouldn't be a para3 and wouldn't interest me. I'm not slicing tomatoes with my pocketknife. I like the para3 design like it is, or I would buy something else. I would like to see the normal washer on both sides like normal though, and the option for tip down.
 
NCJohn said:
S30V is a fine middle of the road steel assuming BM has the HT dialed in.
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A very big IF...they have a hard enough time actually grinding them correctly, not to mention sharpening.

Personally I thing the P3 blows the 535 away in pretty much every category except maybe weight.
 
I will stick with my Para 3 g10, maybe even buy another one, but I don't trust that frn handle and one washer. What they did better is deep pocket clip and lanyard hole. G10 version should be the same way because that clip is stupid, also lanyard hole doesn't need to be that big. I already have some deep carry clip which fit Spyderco.
 
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