Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight Signature Knife with 2.58" Stainless Steel Blade and Durable FRN Handle - PlainEdge - C223

I didn't think the Para 3 was for me. I prefer a longer blade like the Para 2. I have a pile of those. Still . . . they got me with the cobalt blue handle color. My favorite FRN handle color that I have missed out on when other “Sprint Runs” have sold out before I found out about the knife.I wanted to try the new SPY27 blade material so I figured I would “put up with” the shorter blade.I still feel the same about the blade length, give me a longer blade or a much thinner much smaller knife for this blade length, that said this Para 3 is really well made : blade pivots well, the steel alloy is better than I expected in my standard blade alloy test of which I will elaborate later, the color is so nice, the handle really fits the hand, the knife is light and very pocketable, the price works for me, the lock works great.If I were to ding it I would wish for a thinner blade. This is as thick as the Para 2 up near the pivot. If you want a little, very stout, knife this will work. If you want a knife that blows you away with how it slips through what ever you cut then grind it thinner, get it ground thinner or buy the Chaparral or the Centofante ( I have all three in my stable ).My test ? At work I make the same carving / sliver trimming cuts over and over on the same abbrassive hard rubber material. This puts some side load on the very edge and some alloys get sick from it.For instance :Basic blade alloys like Case or Swiss Army go dull and or roll the edge in a few cuts.Spyderco alloys do this :S110V can’t take it and gets dull relatively quickly (it’s the side loading)M4 can take it all day and goes for ever and stays quite sharpMaxamet goes as long as M4 but M4 retains that silly sharp edge longer even over Maxamet.VG-10 does alright no big deal (much better than Case or Swiss Army).HAP-40 almost as good as M4SPY-27 some where in between VG-10 and HAP-40 leaning toward the latter which is really quite good ! ! !In spite of my self I like this knife quite a lot and the SPY-27 alloy is a real winner !

I have several Spydercos, SOGs, Cold Steel, Kershaw knives and for general EDC this knife is perfect. I have had a Delica 4 since 2007 and I often carry it because of the pocketability to usefulness ratio. This knife is roughly the same size in the pocket but it has a superior clip, superior blade shape, superior grind, superior steel, superior ergonomics, superior lock mechanism, and it is lighter. The Delica 4 is not a bad knife but the para 3 lightweight has so many minor improvements overall for EDC purposes that, for my use, it blows it out of the water. The only nit I can pick is that the edges of the handle scales are molded and finished so precisely that the edge along the spine and foregrip of the handle were slightly uncomfortable. I went over the edge with some 1000 grit sandpaper and the personal qualm was completely eliminated. It is so minor I wouldn't even knock off 1/10th of a star for it. The SPY27 steel appears to be just as good as advertised. I have a lot of experience with VG10, S30V, AUS8, 154CM steels and I have no reason to doubt its incremental improvement over the other popular CPM steels. If you are considering the knife, there should be no hesitation. It is worth every penny.

I was hesitant to lose this knife from my wish list for a long time because of its price After viewing many online reviews and waffling between this and the BD1N steel, I finally pulled the trigger on the SPY27.This is my 3rd Spyderco and by far my favorite. The blade is the perfect size, beautiful and stupid sharp. The FRN handle is light, I love the wire pocket clip, and the ergonomics are over the top. While I probably wouldn't have noticed the difference in the steels, the cobalt-blue color was the deciding factor. Not only that, my other Spydercos are in VG-10 (SPY27 is a similar powdered version) and I've become very adroit at sharpening that particular steel, so I'm hoping for some familiarity when I finally have to sharpen this one at some point in the future.Three Spydercos down, many more to go!

Great Spyderco Knife! I love the PARa 3 lightweight!! Nice ergonomics and build quality!! The knife itself is very light in hand and as a carry piece. I love the FRN scales and the compression lock is also very good! The BD1N blade is Not the best steel but is adequate for most people I think. The knife will hold an edge relatively well and should be easy to sharpen!! The knife should be able to perform most dedicated tasks with ease as long as you don’t abuse it!! The price was right also! Definitely recommend this knife!!

I left my older model at cabin I stayed in for about an hour, and when i came back for it, it had ran away with another. I can’t blame who ever adopted it; the knife was solid. This knife is good but the plastic handle is much lighter weight and the belt clip is wire versus a solid metal clip. Don’t get me wrong, for the price, this knife is good and i use it everyday; blade stays sharp and its single handed opening n the back side of the blade is essential. I do wish I had my older model since it felt higher quality to me. I’ll keep searching and hoping my older one decides to come home….

Although this is a very very expensive item, my son loved it to pieces and said it is so sharp he can’t believe it… So I’m glad I bought it for him!