Spyderco Paramilitary 3: Review
The Spyderco Paramilitary 3 represents one of the most successful downsizing efforts in the knife industry. After spending six months carrying and using this knife extensively, I can confidently say it hits the sweet spot between compact EDC convenience and genuine working capability. While it’s not perfect, it’s become my go-to recommendation for users seeking a premium USA-made EDC knife that can handle serious use.
Why This Knife Matters The Para 3 isn’t just another Spyderco – it’s the answer to years of user requests for a more pocket-friendly version of the legendary Paramilitary 2. Released in 2016, it maintains the DNA of its larger sibling while offering a more urban-friendly 3-inch blade format. In today’s market of ever-increasing blade sizes, this thoughtful downsizing stands out.
Technical Specifications & Materials
- Overall Length: 7.27 inches
- Blade Length: 3.0 inches
- Blade Steel: S45VN (standard version)
- Blade Thickness: 0.145″
- Handle Material: G-10
- Weight: 3.4 ounces
- Lock Type: Compression Lock
- Made in Golden, Colorado USA
- Price: $195-220 (standard version)
The Spyderco Paramilitary’s 3S45VN steel represents a sweet spot between edge retention and ease of maintenance. It’s a noticeable upgrade from the previous S30V, offering better edge holding while maintaining similar corrosion resistance. The G-10 handles are expertly textured – aggressive enough for secure grip without being pocket-shredding.
Personal Experience & Break-In Period
My Para 3 arrived with the typical stiff Spyderco action, but after two weeks of regular use and fidgeting, it developed into a smooth, hydraulic feel. The Compression Lock broke in beautifully, losing its initial gritty feeling while maintaining rock-solid lockup with zero play.
The first month revealed minor hotspots during extended cutting sessions, specifically at the forward choil area. However, these disappeared as I adjusted my grip technique. The pocket clip required slight bending adjustment for optimal tension – a common Spyderco quirk.
Long-Term Performance After six months of regular EDC use, including weekend projects and outdoor tasks, several points stand out:
Edge Retention
The S45VN blade has maintained its working edge admirably, requiring only light stropping every few weeks. I’ve performed a full resharpening only twice, mainly due to my obsession with hair-popping sharpness rather than necessity.
Cutting Performance
The full-flat grind and leaf-shaped blade excel at slicing tasks. It’s particularly impressive with cardboard, food prep, and general utility cutting. However, the blade stock is somewhat thick behind the edge, making some fine slicing tasks less efficient than thinner ground knives.
Carry Experience
At 3.4 ounces, the Spyderco Paramilitary 3 disappears in pocket despite its relatively wide handle. The standard clip is functional but not optimal – I strongly recommend upgrading to an aftermarket deep carry clip for better pocket placement.
Build Quality & Manufacturing Spyderco’s Golden, Colorado facility maintains excellent quality control. My example shows perfect centering, even grinds, and clean assembly. The G-10 scales are precisely milled with no sharp edges, and all screws came properly tensioned.
Notable Features:
- Compression Lock remains one of the strongest and most fidget-friendly mechanisms available
- Spyderco’s trademark Round Hole enables multiple opening methods
- Full liners provide structural rigidity without excessive weight
- Bi-directional texturing offers secure grip in all conditions
Customer Feedback Analysis After reviewing hundreds of user reports and forum posts, several patterns emerge:
Common Praise:
- Excellent ergonomics despite compact size
- Rock-solid lock reliability
- Superior blade geometry for everyday tasks
- High-quality American manufacturing
Frequent Complaints:
- Price increases over the years
- Standard clip could be better
- Some find the handle slightly short for larger hands
- Tip-down carry only with standard clip
Market Comparison At its price point, the Para 3 competes with:
- Benchmade Mini Griptilian: Lower price, less premium materials
- WE Knife Banter: Similar size, lower price, overseas manufacturing
- Giant Mouse Ace Biblio: Similar price, different aesthetic approach
The Spyderco Paramilitary 3 generally justifies its premium through superior materials and USA manufacturing, though the value proposition has diminished somewhat with recent price increases.
Paramilitary 2 vs. Para 3
A Brotherhood Compared As someone who has carried both knives extensively, the differences extend far beyond simple measurements. The Para 3 isn’t just a scaled-down PM2 – it’s a distinct tool with its own characteristics.
Size Comparison: PM2:
- Overall Length: 8.28″
- Blade Length: 3.44″
- Weight: 3.75 oz
- Handle Length: 4.81″
Para 3:
- Overall Length: 7.27″
- Blade Length: 3.00″
- Weight: 3.4 oz
- Handle Length: 4.27″
The real-world impact of these differences becomes apparent in daily use. The PM2’s longer blade excels at slicing longer materials and food prep, while the Para 3’s more compact blade offers better control for detail work. The handle difference is particularly noticeable during power cuts – the PM2 provides more real estate for larger hands and different grip positions.
Performance Trade-offs: Spyderco Paramilitary 3 sacrifices some cutting length and leverage for improved pocket carry and urban-friendly dimensions. However, it retains approximately 90% of the PM2’s cutting capability in a more compact package. The shorter blade actually improves precision work like opening packages or detailed carving.
Detailed Testing Scenarios To properly evaluate the Para 3’s capabilities, I put it through a series of specific tests over several months:
Food Preparation:
- Apple slicing: Excellent performance, though the thick stock becomes noticeable on hard apples
- Tomato slicing: Clean cuts with minimal pressure thanks to good factory edge
- Meat trimming: Adequate but shows limitations compared to kitchen knives
- Vegetable prep: Comfortable for short sessions, handle ergonomics support various grips
Outdoor Tasks:
- Feather sticking: Successfully created fine feathers despite thicker blade stock
- Small kindling preparation: Performed well with light batoning
- Rope cutting (3/8″ manila): Clean cuts through new rope, some sawing needed on weathered rope
- Cordage: Excellent control for detailed work with paracord and smaller diameter materials
Workshop Testing:
- Cardboard breakdown: Processed 50+ boxes without significant edge degradation
- Zip tie removal: Excellent control for detailed cuts
- Plastic packaging: Clean cuts through clamshell packaging
- Rubber/gasket material: Required more pressure than expected due to blade thickness
Durability Testing:
- Spine whacks: No lock slip or blade play developed
- Tip strength: Deliberately pressed tip into wood and twisted – no damage
- Lock stress: Performed spine whacks and cutting force tests – zero lock rock or failure
- Edge retention: Maintained working edge through 2 months of regular use before requiring touch-up
EDC Scenarios:
- Package opening: Superior control and clean cuts
- Letter opening: Perhaps overkill but extremely precise
- Apple slicing at lunch: Comfortable and clean cutting
- Emergency thread removal: Sharp enough for clean cuts without damaging fabric
Long-Duration Testing
The most revealing test was a full weekend of camping tasks, including:
- Food prep for 4 people
- Shelter preparation (cutting cordage, shaving tent stakes)
- Fire preparation
- General camp tasks
- Emergency repairs to gear
The Spyderco Paramilitary 3 handled all tasks admirably, though showed some limitations in longer food prep sessions due to handle size. Edge retention remained excellent throughout the weekend, requiring only light stropping to maintain performance.
These real-world tests revealed that while the Para 3 is positioned as an urban EDC knife, it’s capable of handling much more demanding tasks when needed. The combination of S45VN steel and robust construction allows it to punch above its weight class in terms of capability, though the shorter handle can become a limitation during extended use.
Pros:
- Outstanding ergonomics for most hand sizes
- Excellent blade geometry and steel choice
- Rock-solid lock mechanism
- Premium materials and construction
- Made in USA with excellent warranty support
Cons:
- Relatively expensive in standard configuration
- Stock clip could be better
- Thick blade stock impacts some cutting tasks
- Handle may be short for larger hands
- Limited color options in standard version
Verdict The Spyderco Paramilitary 3 excels as an everyday carry knife for users seeking premium materials and USA manufacturing in a compact package. It’s particularly well-suited for:
- Users wanting a premium EDC under 3 inches
- Those who found the PM2 too large
- People prioritizing robust construction and warranty support
- Users requiring ambidextrous operation
Who Should Look Elsewhere:
- Budget-conscious buyers
- Those needing a thinner blade stock
- Users with very large hands
- People requiring deep carry without additional purchases
Long-Term Outlook The Para 3 has established itself as a modern classic in Spyderco’s lineup. While the price has increased, the fundamental design and execution remain excellent. The growing aftermarket support for clips and scales suggests this model will remain relevant for years to come.
After extensive use, the Spyderco Paramilitary 3 represents one of the most well-rounded EDC options available, despite its few shortcomings. It successfully translates the PM2’s winning formula into a more compact package while maintaining most of its capability. While the price may give some pause, the quality, performance, and USA manufacturing help justify the investment for users seeking a premium EDC knife.