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Spyderco Para 3
The Spyderco Para 3 is the Paramilitary 2 rebuilt around a three inch blade. Spyderco shipped the first run in December 2016 in CPM S30V and black G10. The standard Para 3 now runs a full flat ground CPM S45VN blade at 2.93 inches, 7.2 inches open, at 3.4 ounces, with the Compression Lock in the spine so the blade folds closed one handed without your fingers crossing the edge. Every Para 3 is made in Golden, Colorado, like the other Spyderco flagships.
What Does the 3 in Para 3 Mean?
The blade length. Spyderco has been clear since launch that the Para 3 is its own model, not a third generation Paramilitary. Instead of shrinking everything, Spyderco kept the PM2's handle width and trimmed the length, so the grip still fills your hand, with the same choil, thumb ramp, Round Hole, and four position clip.
Spyderco Para 3 vs Paramilitary 2
The Paramilitary 2 carries a 3.44 inch blade with about three inches of edge, against the Para 3's 2.62. Most hands, even large ones, still get a full four finger grip on the Para 3; it simply feels more compact, and it rides unnoticed in jeans or slacks. Our hands-on Paramilitary 2 vs Para 3 comparison breaks down who each one fits.
Para 3 Lightweight and Para 3 Salt
The Para 3 Lightweight swaps G10 and full liners for FRN scales with an open back and a streamlined Compression Lock, dropping to 2.4 ounces in CTS BD1N, with plain, serrated, black blade, and pink builds. It is a strong pick for smaller hands and shallow pockets. The Salt versions pair MagnaCut with corrosion proof hardware for saltwater carry, in the all black G10, black and yellow G10, and yellow Lightweight Salt, part of the full Salt Series.
Para 3 Blade Steel Options
Standard G10 builds run S45VN in satin or black with plain, partially serrated, and fully serrated edges and a digital camo option. Beyond that, the platform rotates through steels collectors hunt for: CruWear on brown canvas Micarta for toughness, Maxamet on dark gray G10 for extreme edge retention, S110V on dark blue G10 for wear resistance, and CPM SPY27, Crucible's Spyderco exclusive, on cobalt blue G10 and FRN. Our knife steel guide breaks down the tradeoffs, and limited runs land in Sprint Runs and Exclusives.