Initial impressions: Spyderco Para 3
So I got this kind of by accident, I walked into the local knife store debating a Delica Wharncliffe or a Native5 LW. Instead I walked out with the Para 3.
These are just initial impressions, mostly comparing to the Delica4, but here goes:
A robust blade:
The blade on the Para 3 is much thicker at the spine where it meets the pivot than my Delica4, and overall is very robust, including the somewhat larger Spyderhole. More Belly on blade: The curve seems to offer more than the Delica or other similarly sized blades, and it has a nice finger groove at the base of the blade. The blade is about the same length, but somewhat taller, probably to accommodate both the larger spyderhole and the greater curvature that gives the Para 3 more belly to its cutting edge. The overall effect is one of a knife that is “overbuilt”. The increased thickness in the blade near the pivot and overall proportions seem based around the idea of a robust knife, something deliberately overbuilt, which can certainly be a good thing.
Weird and effective ergos:
As for as handle length/ width: The knife isn’t very long, but it does have a thick handle, which makes me glad for the hollowed out open back construction, in terms of weight savings, however it feels very different in the hand than the Delica. Combined with the thick spine near the pivot/thumb ramp this seems a much more overbuilt knife. That can be a good thing in use, both in terms of the handle and blade thickness; for instance, a thicker blade near the pivot not only means the knife is theoretically stronger, but also is more comfortable if your thumb is on the back of the blade than a narrower blade would be.
However, the thicker blockier handle construction – necessitated by the thicker blade -- definitely feels a little weird, if effective, in the hand, especially after using a slim extremely ergonomic knife like the Delica. To be fair I have heard it said the knife was designed to allow use with gloves, which is why it has a larger spydeyhole; with gloves the square edges of the grip might not be a big deal. Some have alleged the handle is too short if they don’t put a finger on the forward finger groove, but for me it is just right.
However, in hand, the blend of considerate – the forward finger groove for instance – with the seemingly unfinished – the blocker edges to the G10 handle scales – makes this knife seem odd to me in the hand. Spydergo obviously went to a great deal of trouble designing this and there is a reason it is quite popular, but to me it seemed something was missing, so I rounded the edges of the G10 with a file and sandpaper. It feels much better in the hand, now, though with the thick handle it definitely rides thicker in the pocket.
The pocket clip:
Speaking of pockets, how the knife sits in your pocket has caused more stir than much else about the Para 3. Specifically, what has caused much fuss is Spyderco’s decision to use the same large lanyard hole they did on the Paramilitary 2. In a handle that has a different scale height near the end of the grip, this left no room for the lanyard hole to be side by side with the pocket clip, so they moved the pocket clip under the lanyard hole. The result? It is set lower meaning more of the knife sticks out over your pocket. However, side by side with the Ambitious, I didn’t see it as that bad. Yes it stuck out, but not enough to make me worry about losing it.
That lock: The compression lock is quick and easy to operate, almost intuitive, and lefty friendly as well. I can easily open and close the knife one handed. Perhaps it is stronger, and it allows open back construction while maintaining ambidexterity, unlike many linerlocks, but in terms of operation, however, I do not see much advantage over a backlock in ease of use, as neat as it is.
Overall: I love it, and it’s a fine knife, but the Delica has spoiled me in terms of how a knife carries when folded. Its slimmer, probably lighter, and as easy to open/close one handed. That said, the Para 3 is growing on me. I do like that it was made in the US (the “USA, Earth” was a nice touch) and do enjoy how it feels, and looking at the blade handle junction it is clearly more robust than a Delica.
However, I’ve never exceeded the limits of my Delica, so far, so I guess the question becomes, what price piece of mind? The Para 3 costs nearly a third more than most Delicas, and while it is more robust, it is also a level of “overbuilt” most users will probably never need, except in their imaginations.
I mean, when hiking I once was able to cut down a small sapling for a walking stick using a crummy flea market knife, so something tells me the build quality of this knife is, maybe a little excessive. That said, there is a reason people buy good quality equipment beyond practical usage; does everyone who wears a Submariner dive? Etc. Sometimes it is just nice to have good quality stuff.
Just make sure you try one out before you plunk down the cash, because the quirky ergonomics will probably be the deciding factor; I love the knife, am sort of unimpressed with the contours of the handle (the handle build quality however is quite good). However, a file and some sandpaper soon fixed that, and though still thick, the knife no longer feels blocky. The question is do you want to start sanding the grips of a hundred and thirty dollar knife?
That said, I am glad to have one, and find myself using it a lot lately.
Yes, Delicas ride better and feel better in the hand, but Para 3 has a lot going for it from the steel to the design and there is a reason it is one of the more popular models right now. The lockback Delica/Endura design may be the iconic Spyderco knife that everyone thinks of when they hear the name, but the Para 3 is looking to be a new classic for the twenty-first century and beyond.
