Spyderco Para 3 Compression Lock Knife Discussions | Drop

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Spyderco Para 3 Compression Lock Knife

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Spyderco Para 3 Compression Lock Knife

RayF

22218

Jul 18, 2018

Had a chance to handle one (live and in person) at a knife store (the way people used to buy knives) and I can tell you I was not particularly impressed (felt the same way about the other Paras too). Definitely not a fan of the Compression Lock mechanism on the 3--works fine, just awkward to use. Getting a little bored with G10 too (works okay too, just have too many dressed that way). Still, if this is your kinda knife, MD's price is pretty good.
Frankly, I don't really give a rats-ass what the steel is either (if it was good enough for Spyderco, I can deal with it). Don't go out of my way to keep the knives I have especially sharp (don't shave my arms much, don't slice a lot of paper). I do use a Spyderco Sharp Maker when I need too, just not in an OCD sort of way. Don't care how many positions the clip can be moved to (don't have a big preference for carrying tip up or down).
Over all I just don't think paying a lot more gets you a lot more--and I'm speaking here about Spyderco for the most part, but I'm not enamored of "car-payment" priced knives from any manufacturer. Truth is, I have more knives than I actually need, and regardless of what they're made of, or how much I paid for them, they'll all be around long after I'm gone.
Getting back to the knife store, after handling all of the Paras, I eventually settled on much less expensive Spyderco "Resilience"--part of Spyderco's Chinese-made line. The Resilience is a longer version of the Tenacious--a knife I carry regularly (I have the plain-edge and half serrated versions). At just under 9 3/4" over all, the Resilience is a bit too large for my EDC needs, but it's comparable to the larger Military's, when a larger/longer size is needed--and, as I said, it's much less expensive.
I won't use it to cut down trees and build a cabin in the woods, and I doubt I'll ever have to kill and skin a bunch of damn Grizzly bears with it either. May have to open a box or two from Amazon, or a bag of Doritos from time to time, but I'm pretty sure any of my cheap Chinese steel knives won't fail me even when the going gets really tough--like opening multiple Christmas cards-- in rapid succession. The chances of the blade overheating and melting before I get to the last ribbon on the last xmas present are pretty remote too.
That's the Resilience, by the way--at the bottom...

JeremyHeld

Jul 18, 2018

RayFIf all you use your knife for is opening Christmas cards or the occasional package then why even carry one at all? Why even spend $40 on one? You could get a kitchen knife or a utility blade or a even a cheap Kershaw and those will handle those types of jobs just fine. But if you ever do actually have to use your knife for more than that, and use it frequently, you absolutely get out of it what you paid for (i.e. the tenacious will chip, will get dull, will get loose, will be uncomfortable, etc. while the para won't be any of those things).

RayF

22218

Jul 18, 2018

JeremyHeldIs that so? I have a Kershaw, and all the rest of the inexpensive knives I mentioned above (and lots of others I haven't) and I'm especially fond of it. Neither that one, or any of the rest have chipped, become dull, or gotten lose, or become uncomfortable. So tell me, Grizzly Adams, how many log cabins have you built (or bears have you skinned) with your expensive, "he-man" knives?

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Trilobites

217

Jul 18, 2018

RayFLike he said, you need to use the knives for more than that*

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RayF

22218

Jul 18, 2018

TrilobitesLike I asked him: What are you using yours for, that mine can't do?

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JeremyHeld

Jul 19, 2018

RayFWhy do you have so many knives if you only occasionally need one. I use my knives for a variety of things but the best example being at my old job I had to make hundreds upon hundreds of cuts into Paracord. Doesn't seem like much but even that dulled my less expensive knives with cheap steel in a matter of days. I also got hot spots on my hands and the pivot would inevitably loosen. On the other hand I could go seemingly forever with a para or nice fixed blade with no issue whatsoever. That's just one example. I also routinely use my knives to cut up cardbaord at work. I also like to wittle recreationally. I also camp/backpack frequently and use my knives for a variety of things while doing so. In all cases the high priced knives are very much worth it. But you're right, if you're just openening Christmas cards and an occasional package ONE Kershaw should do the trick (still not sure why you have so many knives if practicality is all you care about). And that's nothing to do with the value of aesthetics and the part they play in people valuing and buying better, more expensive knives.

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RayF

22218

Jul 19, 2018

JeremyHeldWell, those are some interesting uses--both work related and personal interest. If my work involved tasks such as those, I might discover the limitations of my less expensive knives (although, the last Spyderco I purchased was about $80--not an especially small amount, to my mind), but so far, I haven't found any application that was beyond the capabilities of the particular knife I chose to use.
I think the difference lies in repetition--meaning I don't use any of my knives to do the same task over and over again (my work doesn't require a knife). I use knives mainly for convenience, rather than necessity. But when I do need one, I find them very convenient, and I don't care to search for one when I need one--better to have a few in several handy places than only one, in an inconvenient place.
By the way, you take me too literally when I say I only use them for Christmas cards--I also use them for Birthday cards.
And while we're on the subject, here's my latest MD envelope opener:
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/kizer-willumsen-super-bad-drop-point-fixed-blade
Should be up to the task--don't you think?

JeremyHeld

Jul 19, 2018

RayFRight. But your original point seemed to be that knives like the Para 3 are overpriced and/or not worth it because you could get a cheaper knife. I'm simply pointing out that there is a reason some knives are more expensive than others and that you do get what you pay for. You're right that if you don't use your knife frequently and don't care about aesthetics much then a cheaper knife works fine.

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RayF

22218

Jul 19, 2018

JeremyHeldAesthetics?!!! Some of the ugliest knives I've ever seen have also been some of the most expensive. Besides, beyond a certain dollar amount, you reach a point of diminishing returns where utility is concerned--no one is in a hurry to beat up their LE Collector grade knives while pitching camp in the mountains of Borneo!

Uzuzu

1431

Jul 20, 2018

RayFI agree with RayF. These knives are just ridiculously priced. Why should the para 3 cost the same as the paramilitary 2? It's smaller, uses less materials = it should be priced accordingly, at 80 or 90 dollars. Even then, markup is insane. s30v, s35v, s110v knives don't justify spending 100+ dollars on compared to steels like 440c, sandvik, etc. The steel doesn't cost them what they justify charging, and let's be honest, it's all automated machining, 99 percent of the way. I really did love my paramilitary 2, but sold it years ago for a cheaper kershaw that I abuse just as hard, and does just as well, and it keeps sharp longer than needed, because I constantly am touching up my knives sharpness on the whetstone.