Spyderco newbie needing some advice on a para 3

F

fatherguidosarducci

Joined
Jan 22, 2026
Messages
7
Greetings everyone,
I've recently entered the Spyderco world of carry knives while also trying to do a deep dive into metalurgy/locks on folding EDC's (deep dive for a newbie, anyway). Long story short, at the advice of a friend, I picked up the Manix 2 g10 salt in magnacut as my 'heavy duty' knife to pair with my Doug Ritter Hogue MK1, also in magnacut. The latter is definitely the easier knife to use with the their version of the axis lock, but I took my friend's advice regarding the strength and advantages of Spyderco's ball bearing lock on the Manix and took the plunge. I'll likely swap out the spring for a medium or possibly even light spring and spend some time breaking it in. I absolutely love the ergos of the Manix 2 and am excited to see how it performs in harder tasks/cutting alongside the doug ritter.

To pair with my Manix 2, I would like to get a para 3 for most of my EDC daily uses (as I love the design of the knife and how it fits my hands), which would be fairly light, but also maybe occasionally test it on something tougher. I purchased a para 3 in 15v after reading about how much people love 15v through a 3rd party site on amazon, that was NOT an AD of Spyderco, and am concerned it might be fake. I've watched all the videos on how to spot a fake, but it's still really hard to tell in this case, even after watching those. Regardless, I'm not taking any chances and will be returning it. In addition-- and this came as a big surprise to me-- I was less than impressed with the factory edge of 15v coming out of the box. Maybe my expectations were too high.

I have the chance to order a para 3 through a spyderco AD in one of 3 variants (I don't want the LW version as I don't care for the FRN scales)
1. Magnacut salt with G10
2. Same G10 15v that I received above
3. SPY27 in G10/blue

I'm a total idiot/newbie w/r to sharpening, but my friend's advice (he's got extensive knowledge in metalurgy and sharpening) is that all I need is some basswood and a diamond emulsifier to keep even a high carbide steel like 15v sharp. I've watched a video and have purchased both 4 micron and 1 micron emulsifying agents by Jende. The video seemed fairly straight forward. I haven't bought and wasn't planning on buying any stones on top of this stropping method to keep my blade sharp.

My question is this: if you were me and wanted a para 3 that you wanted to keep as sharp as possible for EDC, would you be better off sticking with SPY27 over the highly popular 15v for this use case? I've read that SPY27 can achieve a super sharp edge with some light stropping that I plan on doing every few weeks. I don't care too much about corrosion resistance, which is why I'm fine with 15v, as I take care of my knives from that standpoint.

My friend believes that 15v is actually quite easy to maintain an edge, but again, I wasn't terribly impressed with the factory edge that I got from the one above, assuming it was a genuine para 3.
I also know that the para 3 blade geometry makes it to where it's not inherently the best slicer, based on how the blade tapers so quickly with a thicker edge. So, in order, to maximize its 'sliciness' along with ease of maintenance, which of those 3 steels would you all recommend?

thanks
 
Factory edges are often less than impressive. It's not a good way to judge what a steel is capable of.

I've not used SPY27, but I have been very impressed with the edge retention of Spyderco 15V. Magnacut is an impressive all-around stainless steel, but it's not in the edge retention class of 15V.

Basswood and diamond spray can be nice for stropping, and maybe very light touchups, but you'll want something else for actual sharpening, including improving on the factory edge.
 
Any one of those choices will be good, you can't really go wrong.

SPY27 and Magnacut are both good all-around steels. They don't really excel in any one area, but are good in all areas (the 3 big ones, in regards to knife steel are edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance).

15V is a monster in edge retention, but it is not stainless. 15V is also a sprint run and it may be a long long time until any knife is available again in 15V steel. So it also has a bit of collectability and rarity too.

I currently own, or have owned, Spyderco knives in all 3 of these steels. When I bought my 15V Military 2, the factory edge was ok. But I had to spend a little time with a diamond stone to really get that super aggressive edge that 15V is lauded for.

But there is really no wrong answer here. Whichever Spyderco you choose will be great
 
Appreciate the replies so far. I'm leaning towards 15v mostly b/c I've read almost zero complaints from people with it, outside of maybe 1-2 people who thought 15v on the para 3 was somewhat overrated in terms of its edge.
And yes, I'm aware that its the lowest of the 3 in terms of corrosion resistance, but I don't plan on leaving my knife wet, and when it rains I'll likely carry the Doug ritter or the Manix 2. Plus, I don't mind the patina that I fully expect with 15v over time.
 
Don’t sleep on the Para3 light weight. I hear ya on the FRN scales, but they’re actually pretty nice.

I got a BHQ exclusive in DLC’d M4, and dyed the mint colored scales an awesome olive green. It’s one of my favorite carry knives now. I’ve only sharpened it the one time in the ~year I’ve had and used it (I put my own edge on every knife I buy). Otherwise that M4 strops back nicely.
 
Hi Fatherguidosard ucci,

Welcome to our forum.

I would suggest you get a Sharpmaker, watch the video, and sharpen a small knife that you have. That experience alone will move you miles towards understand edge maintenance (some say edge reborn). I would also suggest a magnifying loupe maybe 10X - 12X. Pretty inexpensive these days on Amazon. But that will allow you to actually SEE what is going on with the edge. If you look at the edge before you begin to sharpen, and again about every 10 strokes on the Sharpmaker, you will watch the new edge grow until sharp.

sal
 
Sal Glesser said:
Hi Fatherguidosard ucci,

Welcome to our forum.

I would suggest you get a Sharpmaker, watch the video, and sharpen a small knife that you have. That experience alone will move you miles towards understand edge maintenance (some say edge reborn). I would also suggest a magnifying loupe maybe 10X - 12X. Pretty inexpensive these days on Amazon. But that will allow you to actually SEE what is going on with the edge. If you look at the edge before you begin to sharpen, and again about every 10 strokes on the Sharpmaker, you will watch the new edge grow until sharp.

sal
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Thanks so much Sal-- appreciate you weighing in. I didn't realize you were not only active on the forum, but a moderator. I'm loving my Manix 2 salt in Magnacut btw.
What I'm having a hard time deciding on the para 3 is this: since the blade stock is thicker at 0.145", I'm simply trying to find the 'sliciest' of the available steel options. I understand the trade offs with hardness, edge retention, toughness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance.
If I'm willing to give up some of the toughness and wear resistance I would get in some of the tool steels like Cruwear, is there a SS that would maximize being able to get the sharpest edge possible for the para 3 (knowing its limitations given its thickness) and make it as 'slicey' as possible? And perhaps that's oversimplifying it since many have said they can get a great toothy edge with 15v if sharpened correctly, while also getting other benefits. Do you have a favorite steel for this particular knife?

thanks,
 
RubiSoHo said:
Don’t sleep on the Para3 light weight. I hear ya on the FRN scales, but they’re actually pretty nice.

I got a BHQ exclusive in DLC’d M4, and dyed the mint colored scales an awesome olive green. It’s one of my favorite carry knives now. I’ve only sharpened it the one time in the ~year I’ve had and used it (I put my own edge on every knife I buy). Otherwise that M4 strops back nicely.
Click to expand...
I tried the FRN scales in the Salt 5 and really didn't like them at all. OTOH, I love what Sal and company have done with the G10 scales on the Manix 2 Salt version with magnacut. It's unreal and is almost like the best qualities of the traditional G10 and FRN scales merged into one.
 
Get what appeals to you the most. Which reading from what you’ve said so far lands you on 15v.
You’re always going to want the one that your attracted to the most.

Steels are give and take, after going through many steels they all cut things and work for me.
I really like cruwear, s30v, and lc200n for myself.
For the most part I try not to get hung up on what steel is used as much as I once did.
 
fatherguidosarducci said:
I tried the FRN scales in the Salt 5 and really didn't like them at all. OTOH, I love what Sal and company have done with the G10 scales on the Manix 2 Salt version with magnacut. It's unreal and is almost like the best qualities of the traditional G10 and FRN scales merged into one.
Click to expand...

That’s fair, each of us will have his own opinion. I held my nose on the FRN to get an M4 DLC blade which is just about perfect combo in my personal opinion. But in the end, the FRN doesn’t bother me in the slightest, and I had a blast dying the knife.

A picture of the dye results are here: PM3 light-weight dyed.
 
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fatherguidosarducci said:
I tried the FRN scales in the Salt 5 and really didn't like them at all. OTOH, I love what Sal and company have done with the G10 scales on the Manix 2 Salt version with magnacut. It's unreal and is almost like the best qualities of the traditional G10 and FRN scales merged into one.
Click to expand...
You already like the scales! The Para 3 Salt is a no brainer out of the versions you mentioned! Then when you come to your senses…buy all three! 😉

IMG_6758.jpegIMG_6759.jpeg
 
DA170 said:
You already like the scales! The Para 3 Salt is a no brainer out of the versions you mentioned! Then when you come to your senses…buy all three! 😉

View attachment 3084624View attachment 3084625
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lol -- fair enough. I think I'm going with the spy27 and 15v and will EDC the spy27 while I also work on my sharpening skills with the Sharpmaker. As I improve my skills and then get a set of diamond stones for the 15v, I'll start using that blade as well for some serious cutting. The sprint run of 15v is too good to pass on, even I end up mostly EDC'ing the SPY 27.
 
Collect them all! I do need to get a Para 3 Salt

Here is a comparison - my M4 has been dyed peacock green - because that aqua color simply would not do 🌞

15v Para 3
M4 Para 3 LW
Magnacut Para 2
Magnacut Military




IMG_4501.jpeg

IMG_4504.jpeg

.
 
I must be weird I didn't like the salt scales and prefer the plain g10 ones. And I prefer the bidirectional frn over both of those.
 
F fatherguidosarducci I will probably get myself in hot water, but I clipped a rung or two off my manix 2 xl springs, and the action was perfect for me afterwards.
 
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