Everyday Carry

Spyderco Para 3

Authored by:
Mikey Bautista
Spyderco Para 3

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When Spyderco created one of the most popular and iconic knives on the market with the Para Military 2, following it up would be a daunting proposition. It's a balancing act of respecting the original design while giving it fresh legs for the next generation of owners. Spyderco strikes that balance with the new Para 3. It's taken everything great about the Para Military 2 and made it EDC-friendly without sacrificing usability and utility.

It all starts with the handle. It's now much shorter at 4.29” long, but still retains its ergonomic shape for a full grip. It keeps the textured G-10 material and pairs it with a slight curve along the top for even better handling. Its compression lock mechanism is embedded into the handles to cut down weight, making the Para 3 even friendlier on the pockets.

The blade is the most drastic change the Para 3 has over its predecessor. While still made from hardy CPM S30V steel, it's now a much more compact at 2.95”.  It hits below the magic EDC number of 3” that lets it fall under most knife laws. While it's a shorter blade with a steeper angle, it's actually thicker than the Para Military 2's along the spine (0.145” vs 0.141”). That means despite saving on length, you're not missing out on cutting performance—especially with its long belly and precision tip.

The Para 3 continues its name's legacy with a design for everyday carry that reaches (and cuts) far beyond its size. Pick one up at that Amazon link below.

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Mikey Bautista

Director of Everyday Carry Operations


About the Author
Mikey Bautista is an everyday carry (EDC) expert who has been working with the EverydayCarry.com team for nearly a decade, starting with an interest in EDC as a hobby and ending up as a writer for the site in 2014. Through the years, he’s led the site in editorial content and writing about products across every category, from knives to bags to flashlights and everything in between, as well as discovering, bringing exposure, and building bridges with many brands in the industry. Today, he is the site's Director of Everyday Carry Operations, leading the editorial team and managing day-to-day operations.

He has lived through many personal and professional lives, spending nearly a decade in the workforce management industry, a minor career in gaming, and has lent a hand with entrepreneurial efforts back home in the Philippines. He has also been an active participant and helped build a number of significant social communities online, both for EDC and his other hobbies.

Mikey has been at the cusp of gaming, technology, and the internet since the ‘90s and continues to lend his experience, expertise, and authority to all his pursuits. When not online, in a game, or watching movies, you'll find him in the gym, speedrunning his next hobby, or talking at length about EDC with anyone willing to listen.

Discussion (10 total)

Big Todd ·
Para 3 for life. I picked up this knife as soon as I could, and couldn't be happier. I've used for everything from processing cardboard boxes to camp cooking to cutting rope off of a boat prop. Broke the tip off and ground a new tip in no time. Easy to sharpen, holds a good edge, and feels really good in the hand, even when wearing gloves. I love this knife. I would dare say it's perfect.
Gabriel Paduganan ·
I really like my Spyderco Dragonfly 2, but wish that they would make deeper carry options. At present, I'm carrying a Kershaw Fatback because it disappears into my pocket.
Got mine last week. Love it great length. Trying to decide which is the best EDC the 943 or this PM3. I also live in Canada. Props to Canada!
Richard ·
I picked one of these up as soon as they were released. I'm a big fan of the Paramilitary 2 (it's a legend for a reason) but this is, indeed, much more pocketable. Really nice knife.
DaBull ·
I have been carrying the Tenacious, for the past year. Great midsized knife and the value is bar none! This knife is easy to sharpen and holds its edge well !
Robert Razavi ·
I have a Paramilitary 2, bought on Massdrop, with camo G-10 handles. It's a great knife, that I do not EDC because it's too big and somewhat scary to the uninitiated, and would freak people out around me (I live in Canada).

I will wait until a premium model is offered (e.g. carbon fiber handles) and will buy a second one then, and that one will be EDC-able!
lieferung ·
This is an excellent little knife. Glad to see some more love for Spyderco on here, they may look different but the quality is phenomenal.