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- Jan 11, 2015
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- 2,575
I posted my thoughts about the Paramilitary 3 and compared it to my Delica 4 and Tenacious.
I like Spyderco as a knife company, I always have, their attention to detail, quality of materials, constantly evolving line of knives all adds up to good business and die hard fans, in this day and age that goes a long way and they have my respect because of it. So it should be of no surprise to me, but often is, that I come back to Spyderco first and often last in my search for a new blade.
I like my Tenacious, it's a stout blade with good steel, G10 scales, and a liner lock, all features I like, add that to its size and you have a pretty well rounded blade. But if that's true then why so often did I find myself carrying my Delica 4, after all they are both built well with similar qualities. Maybe because the Delica has a more ergonomic grip and isn't so large (even though size is why I like the Tenacious), maybe, well I don't know why I just do. If you could only put the best qualities of the Delica 4 and the Tenacious together and simply have everything you like about both all in one quality piece.
I have long heard other Spyderco fans say their favorite is the Paramilitary 2, and although I have XL hands it just looked too big for an EDC folder. During my search I looked at it many times and almost went with it, but I came across the Paramilitary 3 and remembered hearing about it. I watched a half a dozen videos and read countless reviews and soon enough I couldn't get enough of it.
The Paramilitary 3 OAL comes in at 4.27" closed, with a 3" blade a 2.63" full flat ground blade giving it an open OAL of 7.27"
[Comparing that to the Delica 4.25" closed, a 2.875" blade, and 7.125" open].
Yep, they are close, so why carry the PM3 instead? Well because it's features lend to a stronger and better built knife overall suited for hard use and even self defense. The G10 is less likely to be stressed and the texture is easy to grip. A thicker blade on the PM3 should speak for itself, as does the CPM-S30V stainless steel. The compression lock is superior to the spine lock on the Delica and IMO even the liner lock on the Tenacious.
In the hand the Paramilitary 3 feels fantastic and like it was made just for me. The blade feels more substantial and honestly it instills more confidence in the hand. I love the lock, it releases the blade and it's so smooth the blade nearly closes itself under its own weight and opens smoother than any Spyderco I have ever held. I'm not generally a lanyard guy but the large hole is begging for one, I may try it and if I hate it I'll take it back off.
Yep, I like it and I'm keeping it. I will always have affection for the Delica and Tenacious. Next time you think about a folder, just take a better look at the Paramilitary 3, you may be as impressed as me.
Closed the Delica (blue) and the PM3 are almost the same size.
Open they are also similar but you can tell the blade is larger. (Photog decided to be tricky, they are closer in size, see image above.)
Size in hand comparison.
Blade profile-the PM3 is obviously thicker.
Fits the hand great and the forward choil and jimping of the back of the blade allows you to choke up on it. You can hold it further back as well or even in reverse grip comfortably.
The PM3 uses a compression lock which is much stronger than most other folding lock types. The Delica uses a spine lock, while strong it doesn't compare to a liner lock and neither compare to the PM3's Compression Lock.
Delica 4 - Paramilitary 3 - Tenacious
Note: IMO folders should still be treated as folders, proper knife rules and common sense should always be used. If you need to poke or stab, get a fixed blade, if you need to pry, get a prybar. Don't come whining about cutting off a digit or two or that you broke your folder trying to use it as it wasn't intended. Modern lock are only intended to make folding knives safer, not turn them into a fixed blade.
I like Spyderco as a knife company, I always have, their attention to detail, quality of materials, constantly evolving line of knives all adds up to good business and die hard fans, in this day and age that goes a long way and they have my respect because of it. So it should be of no surprise to me, but often is, that I come back to Spyderco first and often last in my search for a new blade.
I like my Tenacious, it's a stout blade with good steel, G10 scales, and a liner lock, all features I like, add that to its size and you have a pretty well rounded blade. But if that's true then why so often did I find myself carrying my Delica 4, after all they are both built well with similar qualities. Maybe because the Delica has a more ergonomic grip and isn't so large (even though size is why I like the Tenacious), maybe, well I don't know why I just do. If you could only put the best qualities of the Delica 4 and the Tenacious together and simply have everything you like about both all in one quality piece.
I have long heard other Spyderco fans say their favorite is the Paramilitary 2, and although I have XL hands it just looked too big for an EDC folder. During my search I looked at it many times and almost went with it, but I came across the Paramilitary 3 and remembered hearing about it. I watched a half a dozen videos and read countless reviews and soon enough I couldn't get enough of it.
The Paramilitary 3 OAL comes in at 4.27" closed, with a 3" blade a 2.63" full flat ground blade giving it an open OAL of 7.27"
[Comparing that to the Delica 4.25" closed, a 2.875" blade, and 7.125" open].
Yep, they are close, so why carry the PM3 instead? Well because it's features lend to a stronger and better built knife overall suited for hard use and even self defense. The G10 is less likely to be stressed and the texture is easy to grip. A thicker blade on the PM3 should speak for itself, as does the CPM-S30V stainless steel. The compression lock is superior to the spine lock on the Delica and IMO even the liner lock on the Tenacious.
In the hand the Paramilitary 3 feels fantastic and like it was made just for me. The blade feels more substantial and honestly it instills more confidence in the hand. I love the lock, it releases the blade and it's so smooth the blade nearly closes itself under its own weight and opens smoother than any Spyderco I have ever held. I'm not generally a lanyard guy but the large hole is begging for one, I may try it and if I hate it I'll take it back off.
Yep, I like it and I'm keeping it. I will always have affection for the Delica and Tenacious. Next time you think about a folder, just take a better look at the Paramilitary 3, you may be as impressed as me.
Closed the Delica (blue) and the PM3 are almost the same size.
Open they are also similar but you can tell the blade is larger. (Photog decided to be tricky, they are closer in size, see image above.)
Size in hand comparison.
Blade profile-the PM3 is obviously thicker.
Fits the hand great and the forward choil and jimping of the back of the blade allows you to choke up on it. You can hold it further back as well or even in reverse grip comfortably.
The PM3 uses a compression lock which is much stronger than most other folding lock types. The Delica uses a spine lock, while strong it doesn't compare to a liner lock and neither compare to the PM3's Compression Lock.
Delica 4 - Paramilitary 3 - Tenacious
Note: IMO folders should still be treated as folders, proper knife rules and common sense should always be used. If you need to poke or stab, get a fixed blade, if you need to pry, get a prybar. Don't come whining about cutting off a digit or two or that you broke your folder trying to use it as it wasn't intended. Modern lock are only intended to make folding knives safer, not turn them into a fixed blade.
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. Delica vs. Para 3 reminds me of Ladybug vs. Manbug.
