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Para 3LW initial Thoughts
- Thread starter John_0917
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2015
- Messages
- 1,697
I'll wait and see but don't know if anything will be able to kick my Bugout from the pocket as my EDC office carry, especially if the P3LW is blade heavy. My 535 balances just about perfect.
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2000
- Messages
- 6,016
Yeah I don't think this Lightweight is very compelling. You save an ounce in weight and a few bucks but you get FRN scales that feel so much cheaper than the G-10. And the action will not be as good. The wire clip is a big plus but that should be on the G-10 version.
I took the lanky diamonds to it this weekend and put a 40* micro bevel on it, performance is very good so far. From what I have read, this steel is typically 60-63 HRc...I have to say thought that the corrosion resistance isn’t the best.
I put a 2000 grit sapphire stone edge on it, it’s absolutely hair popping now.
I put a 2000 grit sapphire stone edge on it, it’s absolutely hair popping now.
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2018
- Messages
- 127
Well I have been carrying mine since Thursday last week, and so far I'm calling it GTG. Previously I was carrying a Tenacious and then went to a Bugout since at the time, Spyderco didn't really have a smaller LW knife with the usability I wanted, liner or compression lock, and a factory deep carry clip. I did not want a lockback, or the native LW would have been a top pick.
So when the Para LW came along, I was rather excited since I much prefer Spyders over Benchmade. While the Axis lock is a nice and smooth, it also relies on the omega springs and I have seen to many of them break to have 100% confidence in the system. I have always preferred the liner lock style locking systems.
Now back to the Para 3 LW. No it isn't as light as the Bugout, so just over 2 OZ isn't noticeable to me, even in gym shorts. It accomplishes what the bugout does as far as weight. The thicker blade stock of the Para I prefer over the bugout as well, which attributes to some of the added weight. Again I'll trade a thicker blade for a little added weight. While I don't pry on things with my knife the added blade material is a comfort.
I don't find the Para 3 LW to be blade heavy at all. The balance point seems to be right at the blade stop pin. FWIW it is in the same spot on my bugout.
I do like Benchmades Combo edges far more than Spydercos, and I typically prefer a combo edge. Being an LE, there are a few times when serrations accomplish the task slightly easier than the sharpest plain edge. Sypderco usually has almost half their edge serrated on their combos. This can detract from the every day usage of the plain edge. Benchmade usually does a 1/4 serration, so when you need it they are there, and when you don't they aren't in the way. It's more of a personal preference, and a plain edge works just about as well for my intended tasks.
The scales on the Para 3 do feel cheap when compared to G-10, but no worse than the BO's scales. Spydercos bi directional texturing is far better than the Bugout. The Para scales are sharp on the inside, but so were my bugouts. I disassembled the knife, hit the inside edges with 600 grit and in 15 minutes all was well in the world again.
Ergos go to the Para3 at least for me. The Para3 just fits my hand better, and feels more like it was made for me. The bugout while nice, seems very generic, like it was made to fit everybody just ok. When I put it to some cutting task like boxes, I really had to pay attention to keep it oriented correctly when really bearing on it. This isn't the case with the Para, it stays locked in even when I bear down on it. The para 3 erogs for my hand are better then the Tenacious.
Both knifes have a solid lockup, are easy to open one handed or flip with the thumb. The spyderco hole is far easier than the thumb stud for me anyway. I typically opened it holding the axis lock back. With the Para I can hold the compression lock and flick it open, spyder flick it, thumb flick it or drop open it. All options work well with the spyderco.
My Para 3 came out of the box with a very close blade center, and blade tension was perfect. Opening and closing was perfect with no blade play. I have no complaints about the lack of dual bushings, as long as the knife stays as smooth as it is now after years of use.
I am by far no anywhere close to a blade steel snob, nor do I know a whole ton about them. As long as a blade can hold and edge well, cut clean, and take and edge without having to pull out a grinder, it's good with me. The one thing I did find about the S30V on my bugout, if I ran it against a staple or some other metal object while cutting, it would catch a small chip. I haven't run the CTSBD1N against anything like as of yet, so I can't tell how it will do. It will however cut up boxes with ease, and go through a few zip ties, and it is still as sharp, hair shaving sharp as it was when I got it. You do have to remember I ran a Tenacious for a long time, and the only complaint I had with it was it wouldn't hold a blade well. I swear with little to no use, it would loose it's edge quick.
If someone goes out looking for a 3 inch lightweight deep carry knife, the bugout and Para 3 are going to be top picks. For me since I prefer Spyderco, the Para3 LW is a no brainer for me. The same can be said for the Benchmade fans. The Bugout still has a slightly smaller footprint when carried, but the Para3 being slightly larger, also attributes, to better ergos for actually cutting things IMO.
For you Para3 G10 guys, don't expect it to be at the same level, cause it isn't. If you realize what the Para3 LW was designed and built for, then pick one up and enjoy the crap out of it. I am very happy with mine, and look forward to some other options with them as well as the Sage 5 LW coming out.
For 90 some odd bucks for a solid Spyderco knife you almost can't go wrong.
TXPO
So when the Para LW came along, I was rather excited since I much prefer Spyders over Benchmade. While the Axis lock is a nice and smooth, it also relies on the omega springs and I have seen to many of them break to have 100% confidence in the system. I have always preferred the liner lock style locking systems.
Now back to the Para 3 LW. No it isn't as light as the Bugout, so just over 2 OZ isn't noticeable to me, even in gym shorts. It accomplishes what the bugout does as far as weight. The thicker blade stock of the Para I prefer over the bugout as well, which attributes to some of the added weight. Again I'll trade a thicker blade for a little added weight. While I don't pry on things with my knife the added blade material is a comfort.
I don't find the Para 3 LW to be blade heavy at all. The balance point seems to be right at the blade stop pin. FWIW it is in the same spot on my bugout.
I do like Benchmades Combo edges far more than Spydercos, and I typically prefer a combo edge. Being an LE, there are a few times when serrations accomplish the task slightly easier than the sharpest plain edge. Sypderco usually has almost half their edge serrated on their combos. This can detract from the every day usage of the plain edge. Benchmade usually does a 1/4 serration, so when you need it they are there, and when you don't they aren't in the way. It's more of a personal preference, and a plain edge works just about as well for my intended tasks.
The scales on the Para 3 do feel cheap when compared to G-10, but no worse than the BO's scales. Spydercos bi directional texturing is far better than the Bugout. The Para scales are sharp on the inside, but so were my bugouts. I disassembled the knife, hit the inside edges with 600 grit and in 15 minutes all was well in the world again.
Ergos go to the Para3 at least for me. The Para3 just fits my hand better, and feels more like it was made for me. The bugout while nice, seems very generic, like it was made to fit everybody just ok. When I put it to some cutting task like boxes, I really had to pay attention to keep it oriented correctly when really bearing on it. This isn't the case with the Para, it stays locked in even when I bear down on it. The para 3 erogs for my hand are better then the Tenacious.
Both knifes have a solid lockup, are easy to open one handed or flip with the thumb. The spyderco hole is far easier than the thumb stud for me anyway. I typically opened it holding the axis lock back. With the Para I can hold the compression lock and flick it open, spyder flick it, thumb flick it or drop open it. All options work well with the spyderco.
My Para 3 came out of the box with a very close blade center, and blade tension was perfect. Opening and closing was perfect with no blade play. I have no complaints about the lack of dual bushings, as long as the knife stays as smooth as it is now after years of use.
I am by far no anywhere close to a blade steel snob, nor do I know a whole ton about them. As long as a blade can hold and edge well, cut clean, and take and edge without having to pull out a grinder, it's good with me. The one thing I did find about the S30V on my bugout, if I ran it against a staple or some other metal object while cutting, it would catch a small chip. I haven't run the CTSBD1N against anything like as of yet, so I can't tell how it will do. It will however cut up boxes with ease, and go through a few zip ties, and it is still as sharp, hair shaving sharp as it was when I got it. You do have to remember I ran a Tenacious for a long time, and the only complaint I had with it was it wouldn't hold a blade well. I swear with little to no use, it would loose it's edge quick.
If someone goes out looking for a 3 inch lightweight deep carry knife, the bugout and Para 3 are going to be top picks. For me since I prefer Spyderco, the Para3 LW is a no brainer for me. The same can be said for the Benchmade fans. The Bugout still has a slightly smaller footprint when carried, but the Para3 being slightly larger, also attributes, to better ergos for actually cutting things IMO.
For you Para3 G10 guys, don't expect it to be at the same level, cause it isn't. If you realize what the Para3 LW was designed and built for, then pick one up and enjoy the crap out of it. I am very happy with mine, and look forward to some other options with them as well as the Sage 5 LW coming out.
For 90 some odd bucks for a solid Spyderco knife you almost can't go wrong.
TXPO
Last edited:
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2013
- Messages
- 486
The ergos on this knife are something I really like, I sold my bugout because it just didn't work for my hand at all. Then the Para 3 came out and the grip feels fine but I prefer the 2 to the 3 with g10. But now with the FRN I really like the 3. It's perfect, fits my hand so well and it's blade to handle is just right. Feels so comfortable.
I picked up one of these in plain edge at a brick and mortar store close to me here in Canada this morning. They got stock in on Tuesday. I handled one for quite a while before I decided to purchase it. I have 4 G10 versions in different steels so I didn't really need it and It certainly wasn't instant love for me. After only a few hours of fondling (not real use yet) here are my thoughts that are barely worth $0.02 but here you go.
Pros:
Although I prefer regular over wire clips this deeper carry is much better than the G10 version.
The whole clip vs. laynard hold positions are better than the G10 version (I wish they would redesign this portion of the G10 version).
Handle contouring feels better in my hand compared to the G10 version.
Action on my specimen feels comparable to my G10 versions.
Price.
Cons:
The thick blade stock combined with the almost linerless handle creates a balance point more forward of the G10 version. Not a lot but I prefer the G10 in this regard.
My one personal knife OCD is perfect blade centering when closed and I had to go through 4 samples to find one I was pleased with. I have never had to do that with the G10 versions I bought. Maybe just my bad luck this time around.
Feels cheaper than the G10 version. Probably because it is. So this is really a Con as well as a Pro. Kind of you get what you pay for between the two different versions.
If I had other blades in BD1N, I likely would have taken a pass because I really like the overall quality feel of my G10 versions in comparison. I bought this one primary so I could experience this particular steel at a reasonable price point.
Pros:
Although I prefer regular over wire clips this deeper carry is much better than the G10 version.
The whole clip vs. laynard hold positions are better than the G10 version (I wish they would redesign this portion of the G10 version).
Handle contouring feels better in my hand compared to the G10 version.
Action on my specimen feels comparable to my G10 versions.
Price.
Cons:
The thick blade stock combined with the almost linerless handle creates a balance point more forward of the G10 version. Not a lot but I prefer the G10 in this regard.
My one personal knife OCD is perfect blade centering when closed and I had to go through 4 samples to find one I was pleased with. I have never had to do that with the G10 versions I bought. Maybe just my bad luck this time around.
Feels cheaper than the G10 version. Probably because it is. So this is really a Con as well as a Pro. Kind of you get what you pay for between the two different versions.
If I had other blades in BD1N, I likely would have taken a pass because I really like the overall quality feel of my G10 versions in comparison. I bought this one primary so I could experience this particular steel at a reasonable price point.
I got one yesterday and while it would be a perfectly fine budget beater I will probably just sell it. Dont have a PM3 in my collection. Just got to check feel of this design and honestly, it's just too light for me and I find the feel is to slippery. Feel like it will squirt out at any moment. Oh well, don't regret checking it out. And on the plus side someone who wants one can get mine at a good discount.