Compression Lock

Spyderco Rhino Review

Expectations are a terrible thing to shake. As gear geeks, hopping onto the hype train is all too easy, especially because most of us are passionate about our hobbies. We see something cool – either the newest catalog or the latest teaser on Instagram – and start forming our own idea of what the end product will be like. All too often, those expectations proceed to get in the way of enjoying the product for it is.

Buy the Spyderco Rhino at BladeHQ
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Enter the Spyderco Rhino. When it was first teased (long enough ago that I can’t remember the date), it was slated to be a refreshing new entry to Spyderco’s line-up, sporting G10 scales, BD1 steel, and a compression lock in a reasonably sized package. What’s more, its original street price was going to fall right around $50.00. That was a hell of a steal at the time, and honestly would still be a great buy today, even with the recent price drops in premium steels.

Unfortunately, that version of the Rhino never made it beyond the trade show demonstration booth. Apparently that package was too much of an ask for the factory, and the project was put on hiatus. The next time we caught a glimpse of the Rhino, it was a radically different product: the steel was upgraded to CTS-XHP, the handle scales were upgraded to carbon fiber, and the street price was upgraded all the way up to $140.00.

That’s the point I lost interest in the Rhino. It had morphed from a product that would challenge the market to yet another overpriced and oddly designed Spyderco, destined to hang out in the inventories of cutlery purveyors across the world.

In the months that followed its debut, I started to see it pop up online. Folks that I follow on Instagram (whose taste I respect) started including the Rhino in their daily updates. After seeing it a few more times, my curiosity was once again piqued. That’s when I started to realize that on paper, it was still a good product: high-end steel, carbon fiber*, a great lock, and the perfect size for everyday chores. It didn’t take too much speculation along those lines before I picked one up. I’m glad I did, but you’ll need to read on to learn why.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Spyderco Rhino is considered part of the “little-big-knife” family, a design ethos that seeks to pack the maximum amount of cutting power into a compact package. Other standouts include the much-acclaimed Techno as well as the Dragonfly 2. Like its cousins, the dimensions of the Rhino aren’t great on paper. Its 2.37” blade is housed in a 3.57” handle, and the overall package weighs in at 2.27 oz. Taken together, neither the blade to handle or blade to weight ratio is very compelling. Much like its cousins, however, these numbers don’t speak to the whole truth.

My tastes are depressingly pedestrian when it comes to blade shapes. Give me a nice drop point or modified wharncliffe and I’ll be happy; give me more than one angle to worry about when resharpening and I won’t. The Rhino’s trailing point walks a very thin line between being interesting and being a hassle, and – in my case at least – the jury is still out. When grappling with a clamshell package, it’s great: the refined tip and thin grind make short work of that modern headache. When it comes to spreading peanut butter or condiments (essential picnic tasks, in my view), the trailing point is uniquely unqualified. If that isn’t a concern for you, there are few downsides to this blade shape. The exaggerated belly also means that the cutting edge is longer than the listed blade length.

As expected, the grind that the fine folks at Taichung put on the Rhino is impeccable. The stock starts at .118” thick and is brought down to a very keen edge by a full flat grind. Between the stock and grind, the Rhino makes for a very mean cutter, passing the apple test with ease. If there’s a complaint to be made, it’s that the satin finish is slightly tacky and seems to attract gunk. Regular cleaning and a bit of extra vigilance is probably required.

This is actually my first experience with Carpenter’s CTS-XHP steel. If rumors hold true, it was designed to have the upsides of D2 (great edge retention and toughness) while mitigating D2’s chief drawback (poor rust resistance). My experiences with the Rhino generally reflect that: the edge rarely needs touching up, and it’s warded off rust handily, ever after I inadvertently stored it with fruit juice on the blade. Unfortunately, most users report that it can be a pain to sharpen, so I’ve been proactive with my strop, and actual resharpening hasn’t been necessary.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

Unfortunately, the handle breaks two of my cardinal rules when it comes to knives: avoid finger scallops and Spyderco’s carbon fiber/G10 composite scales. The former rule is rooted in ergonomics; the latter in priggish snobbery. My experience with the Rhino has made me reevaluate both – to an extent. The composite scales are reinforced by a skeletonized and recessed steel liner, and have endured everyday wear and tear without showing it. Moreover, they don’t have the glossy, too-light quality I’ve felt in other knives with carbon fiber scales.

The composite scales are well-suited to the role. There is enough texture that your fingers don’t slide around, but not the rough kind of texture you’d expect from Spyderco’s normal G10 treatment. Additionally, the edges and corners of the scales have been chamfered to the point that they are very nearly contoured. I’m very glad they went the extra mile in the finishing process; otherwise the Rhino would be an ergonomic flop, and that’s entirely due to the finger scallops. Apart from those problematic little curves, the Rhino is really quite good in the hand. The dip in the spine of the blade is a perfect place to put your thumb when you need more control, and the organic curve of the handle means that the Rhino can be gripped in a number of ways.

To be frank: finger scallops should be avoided as a rule. They force the user to hold the knife in a set grip, despite the fact that all of our muscular and skeletal structure varies wildly person to person. They do not actually improve our grip on a knife’s handle, according to hand surgeon and knifemaker Kyle Ver Steeg; in fact, by forcing our fingers farther apart, it weakens our grip instead. Finally, why on earth were finger scallops “necessary” on a knife this size? The Rhino isn’t going to be someone’s last ditch boot knife, or stowed in a bugout bag. It’s going to be toted around in some gear geek’s chinos, broken out to to open packages and trim loose threads. The Rhino’s saving grace is that the finger scallops have been chamfered to the point that I hardly notice them.

The Rhino is equipped with Spyderco’s classic spoon-shaped clip. It’s a classic design for a reason: it doesn’t cause ergonomic issues, it keeps the knife in the pocket without shredding your pants, and it’s only a little bit of a paint scraper.

Deployment and Lock-Up

At this point, there’s not a whole lot that can be said about Spyderco’s trademark thumb hole. Even as flippers reign supreme, the thumb hole stands out: it’s simple, versatile, and only there when you need it. The Rhino has at least as much fidget factor as any of my flippers, in part due to the phosphor bronze washers the blade rides on and the excellent detente. Absolutely no complaints in this regard.

In keeping with the “quintessentially Spyderco” theme, the Rhino utilizes the compression lock, an in-house design that’s strong, simple, and lightweight. By using a locking leaf that wedges between the blade tang and the stop pin, the compression lock blends the convenience and strength of an axis-style lock with the snappy action and simplicity of a liner lock. Unfortunately, compression locks do tend to have a bit of vertical blade play, and the Rhino is no exception. It doesn’t register visually or audibly, but you can feel it if you wiggle the blade around.

Spyderco Rhino Review – Final Thoughts

Ultimately, the Rhino is a fine addition to both Spyderco’s catalog and my collection. Part of me still wishes that the original version would have made it to market, but to be honest, the extra finishing on the handle scales probably wouldn’t be feasible at a sub-$50 price point, and the finger scallops would go from a theoretical pet peeve to a very literal pain to deal with. That aside, there’s a lot to recommend here. The blade uses some of the best steel on the market and is ground to be a lean cutter; the handle is remarkably comfortable, in and out of the pocket; and the deployment method and lock are some of the most reliable and convenient available.

As mentioned above, the street price for the Rhino falls around $140. That’s nothing to sneeze at; most of the major production knife companies have strong entries at this price point, from Benchmade’s upgraded Griptilian line to a veritable dragon’s hoard of Kizer offerings. While the competition is fierce, I think the Rhino holds its own. The blade – from the steel to the grind – makes the Rhino stand out in its own way, especially if you like the funky design aesthetic.

There are some people who should pay special attention to the Rhino, and a few who should actively avoid it. The Rhino is especially well-suited to modern office workers: opening packages, breaking down cardboard boxes, and maybe peeling an orange at lunch. If you have more specific needs (like frequent food prep or a knife suited to harder use), look elsewhere, as the Rhino was clearly not designed with those tasks in mind.

Spyderco Reinhold Rhino Folding Knife - Black Carbon Fiber Handle with PlainEdge, Full-Flat Grind, CTS XHP Steel Blade and Compression Lock - C210CFP

plainedge blade - this knife has a sharpened blade with no serrations or teeth sometimes referred to as a smooth blade.
carbon fiber handle - graphic fibers (the size of a human hair) woven together then fused with epoxy resin. lightweight with a high level of tensile strength it is three dimensional in appearance.
full-flat grind - this knife features a blade ground with flat bevels that extend from the spine all the way to the cutting edge. this grind reduces drag during cutting and decreases overall weight.
compression lock - developed and patented by spyderco, the compression lock mechanism uses a leaf-like spring from a split liner in the handle to wedge laterally between a ramp on the blade tang and the stop pin (or anvil pin).
specifications - closed length (inches): 3.6, overall length (inches): 5.95, blade length (inches):2.35, blade steel: cts xhp, grind: full-flat

Editor: I recommend purchasing the Spyderco Rhino at BladeHQ or Amazon. Thank you for reading.

Spyderco Kapara Review

by Seth Vietti 1 Comment

On paper, the Spyderco Kapara offers an attractive proposition: utilitarian design, high-end looks, and some of Spyderco’s most popular features fused together in a slim, pocket friendly package. Since it released in late 2018, the Kapara has been my near-daily companion. It took me longer than I expected to form my opinion of this beguiling new Spyderco knife. One question kept nagging me: do the elements of the Kapara that were so appealing to me on paper, hold up under scrutiny in hand?

General Dimensions & Blade Details

At eight-and-a-quarter inches overall with just over three-and-a-half inches of blade, the Kapara is by no means a small knife. Dimensions aren’t the whole story, though – while somewhat long, it feels exceptionally lithe. The blade is thin (3mm stock thickness) and slim, barely widening around the spyderhole before winding down to the slender tip. It’s a fresh, elegant take on a classic Spyderco blade shape, reminiscent of Sal Glesser silhouettes like the Stretch or UKPK Drop Point.

Typically, blades in the 3.5 inch range don’t really work for me. I find they suffer from something like “middle child syndrome:” too small to shoulder the responsibility of impromptu kitchen knife duty, too big to get away with sneaking into a pocket unnoticed. The Kapara, however, splits the difference perfectly. It’s got enough blade length to flex into some “big knife” work, but feels light for its size at just 3.4 ounces.

The Kapara was designed by Australian knife maker Alistair Phillips with a mind towards everyday food prep tasks. While it definitely isn’t the king of the cutting board (a title still held uncontested by my Spyderco Hundred Pacer), the Kapara’s flat-ground blade and long, low, and thin edge geometry make it a great paring knife. I especially appreciated the articulate tip, which – thanks to the thoughtful blade shape and well-executed distal taper – was pointy enough to pierce effortlessly, yet wide enough to deftly pluck seeds from citrus or spread peanut butter.

I do wish Spyderco had included the small sharpening choil present on Phillip’s original design. Resharpening was easy enough, but the untidy edge at the heel of the blade feels out of place on such an elegant knife. Luckily for me, Mr. Phillips has published a video tutorial on how to add a sharpening choil to the Kapara should I ever feel bothered enough to modify it myself.

For blade steel, Spyderco have opted for CPM-S30V, an American powder-metallurgy alloy developed specifically for cutlery. I’ll touch on my personal quibble with this choice later, but speaking objectively it makes sense here. S30V’s combination of great corrosion resistance, good edge holding, and relative ease of sharpening make it a safe choice for a pocket knife users are encouraged to use on food.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

When I first slid the Kapara from its red, black, and gold foil Spyderco box, the handle immediately caught my attention. The tastefully embellished pivot and burgundy backspacer are nice, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen carbon fiber scales executed so excellently on a production knife: lustrous, gently radiused, symmetrical, perfectly flush with the liners, and neatly softened around the edges.

The handle is quite smooth, and I expected the knife to feel slippery and difficult to control. As it turns out, the ergonomics more than make up for the lack of texture. The arched back of the handle lends most grips ample leverage, and is plenty long enough to hold without feeling crowded into the finger choil. The thumb ramp, while subtle, reassures against sliding forward in a thrusting cut.

The finger choil is shallow but not at all undersized.

And the dip in the spine of the blade makes for an easy place to rest the forefinger when guiding the tip.

In pocket, the Kapara’s impeccable smoothness pays dividends. The wire clip hangs the knife deep with plenty of tension to hold it securely in place, yet it slides in and out of pocket effortlessly. No yanking, no forcing it down over a thick seam, no shredding your pocket lining day by day… honestly, the Kapara carries so well it may have spoiled textured handles for me. I know I’m not the only one with a drawer full of otherwise presentable pants all disintegrating at the right front pocket.

Deployment & Lockup

Spyderco’s compression lock is known for its simplicity, safety, and strength. Here on the Kapara it delivers unimpeachable lockup and a firm detent for snappy, satisfying deployment. Closing it, however, took a little getting used to. The knife is slender enough that there’s not much room to hold the knife and pinch the lock open at the same time. Instead, I found it easier to operate more like a back lock, by using my thumb to disengage the lock…

…then safely catch the ricasso of the smoothly dropping blade with my forefinger.

The experience isn’t quite as fidget-friendly as Spyderco’s USA-made compression lock knives (e.g. the Paramilitary 2), but it certainly didn’t stop me from compulsively flicking the Kapara open and closed in my idle moments.

Spyderco Kapara Review – Final Thoughts

In the end, the Kapara exceeded even my initially high expectations for the knife. It’s thoughtfully designed, expertly made, and a pleasure to use. More than that, it’s a knife with a distinct and charming personality, a knife that doesn’t feel quite like anything else on the market and is better for it. The closest comparison I can come up with is the venerable Benchmade 940: another 3.5 inch, easy to carry, dressed-up yet hard-working knife with its own quirky character. (Is it coincidence that both Alistair Phillips and 940 designer Warren Osborne are Australian? [Probably.])

The Kapara is such an outstanding knife, in fact, that I only wish it had a blade steel to match. S30V is better than average, but a high-performance stainless steel like 20CV or M390 would truly elevate the design. That said, it’s nothing to whine over. I find it hard to imagine anyone being disappointed with the Kapara, even at the full retail price I paid ($188 as of this review). If you’re looking for a pocket knife that cuts as well as it carries and feels as good as it looks, I unreservedly recommend the Spyderco Kapara.

Spyderco Kapara – From $188.50
From: BladeHQ

I recommend purchasing the Spyderco Kapara at Amazon, BladeHQ, or GP Knives. Thanks for reading.

Spyderco “S” – Discontinued But not Forgotten

by A Sharp Guest Contributor 2 Comments

Jealousy is often referred to as the Green-Eyed Monster. Being a little sister, I am all too familiar with this emotion.

As a kid, my big brother always had the nicest and newest gadgets. He is also incredibly smart, so he had the best grades. I looked up to him and was inspired to think that maybe someday day I’d have the nicest and newest things. Maybe I would be even smarter than him…

That last one didn’t come to fruition, but to this day, I strive to get something nicer and newer This determination peaked one summer day before my freshman year in college.

On that day a window was opened into the world of extraordinary pocket knives when my brother showed me his newest purchase. It was a Spyderco “S” Black. When I saw it, my hazel eyes turned to green.

This knife didn’t have a solid metal handle, it was intricately carved out like a web. Once the blade was revealed, I was blown away. The whole knife was one incredible black and silver web. I had never seen anything that strong look as though it might fold under the slightest pressure.

How was this possible for Spyderco to combine a delicate façade with such interior strength? Well, that’s easy to explain. The almost 2.5” long blade has been shaped, not cut out, to look like a web by a process called metal injection molding.

Basically, there are four ingredients, steel (which is Taiwan produced 440C steel), a binder, metal powder, and heat. The first three ingredients are mixed together and then molded to shape. Once in the shape the ingredients are sintered, or heated, to combine into a solid material.

The “S” was produced with option to choose between two different handle colors, black or silver. Both are made of anodized aluminum that has been cut with the same web pattern as the molded blade. It should come as no surprise that the entire knife weighs only 2 oz.

A wire clip is attached to carry in the tip-up position only but can be changed for left or right-handed carry. It’s a great length at 3.5” but the wire clip is positioned somewhat low on the handle so the top is visible when carried in a pocket.

Opposite of the blade in the handle is a Compression Lock. This incredibly strong lock has been developed and patented by Spyderco. It compresses just behind the blade and pops into place once open. The lock releases by pushing in on the tab and folding the blade back down. With four finger grips, you can be assured of a secure hold when cutting.

Fortunately, my eyes didn’t stay green for long. A few years later I was able to purchase my very own shiny, and new, “S” Silver. By far the best purchase I’ve made and one of my top five favorite knives of all time.

Even though the “S” isn’t an everyday use knife for me, it’s perfect for a special occasion or when you want to impress your friends. Unfortunately, Spyderco no longer makes the “S”, but if you want one bad enough, you’ll find it. Don’t let that Green-Eyed Monster get the best of you.

Editor: I hope you enjoyed this guest post from Jennifer Wood. As the PocketKnifeHousWife, she definitely brings a different perspective from your average knife reviewer. Jennifer and her reviews can be found at PocketknifeHousewife.com. Follow her on Instagram @Pocketknifehousewife or Twitter @PktHousewife.

Spyderco Paramilitary 2 Left Handed C81GLE2 Review

by Aaron Shapiro 3 Comments

Last Updated: August 7, 2019
In 2009 my house was broken into while I was living in West Nashville. This caused me to do two things in quick succession. First, I adopted a huge Irish Wolfhound mix named “Apple,” and secondly, I bought a handgun. Now, since I tend to dive headfirst into anything that I get myself into… I began to research handguns, and that inexorably led me to the EDC community.

Buy the Left Handed Para 2 at BladeHQ

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I think that everyone has a story about their relationship to carrying a pocket knife. Mine is wrapped up in EDC videos on YouTube, and hours spent scouring BladeForums threads. One of the knives that struck a chord for me, and has endured since the very first years of my collecting, has been the Spyderco Paramilitary 2.

Now, my handedness (being left handed) has limited me in several areas when it comes to knives, and it ultimately forced me into buying primarily custom knives that I could have made for me. Whenever I see a company offer a production knife in, specifically, a lefty configuration I always try to buy at least one to support that effort they went to. The Left Handed version of the PM2 (model number C81GPLE2) was a no brainer for me. After all, this is arguably Spyderco‘s most popular knife.

Editors note: It is worth noting that the only difference between this left handed version of the Para 2 and the original PM2 is that the locking liner side and non locking liner side have been swapped. This lefty version is literally a mirrored version of the original Paramilitary 2. I can’t help but think of my days studying biology when I consider the Lefty Para 2. It’s the same concept of chirality that they teach in the introductory organic chemistry course.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Paramilitary 2 Left Handed has an overall length of 8.3″, a 3.4″ blade, weighs 3.75 ounces. Just like the original Paramilitary 2, this left hand version is made in the U.S.A. out of Spyderco’s Golden, Colorado factory.

The thing that DOES stick out about the PM2 blade, and is worth talking about, is how universally great it is. The leaf blade shape that Spyderco has championed for years is one of the more useful blade shapes out there. This, paired with their full flat grind on S30V steel gives you a strong but surgical tip for delicate operations, and long sweeping primary cutting edge. Now, I’ve used this blade for a LOT; opening packages, slicing apples, I even chopped up a cream filled cronut the other day. The Paramilitary 2 is a versatile and capable blade that will carry out day to day tasks, from the campsite to the kitchen without hesitation.

As a footnote, I’m not gonna go in depth about S30V. It’s a knife-specific allow that was developed by Chris Reeve and Crucible for folding pocket knives. At this point, we should all be at least a little familiar with it, it performs well, it’s very stainless, and it’s at least reasonable to sharpen. They make PM2’s in a variety of steels these days, but not the left handed version… and I’m not a steel snob, pretty much anything from VG10 nicer is okay for me, as subjective as that might be.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Paramilitary 2, true to it’s name, was designed for LEO and Military use. Now… in reality that most likely means that it’s 99% bought and used by people like you and I, and 1% make it into the gloved hands of actual military users. But it’s intended purpose did inform some of it’s design decisions. The handle is slightly oversized with a pronounced shape to seat and lock your hand in place. There’s an alternate grip position with the knife open and your index finger inside the front choil that would allow you to “choke-up” on the knife for finer control. The handle slabs are peel ply black G10. That is very grippy. It’s not shred-your-jeans-grippy, but grippy all the same. Last big detail that is instantly apparent when you hold the knife is the thumb ramp. It’s steep, and it’s jimped. This serves as just another step in locking the knife into your grip when you hold it.

The pocket clip is one of Spyderco’s typical “spoon” pocket clips. Not a lot to say here except that they are functional and nicely designed. Tension is perfect and the knife carries well. There are a few other people that make deep carry clips for the PM2, so if you wanted another option you could find that there.

Deployment and Locking Mechanism

In keeping with the Spyderco trend, the PM2 utilizes a “spydie-hole” opening method. This is a distinguishing feature of the Spyderco line of knives. This is basically a .5” diameter hole in the blade that serves as the opening method. It’s something that Spyderco has been doing for a long time, a lot of you are likely familiar with it so I won’t belabor that particular point.

The PM2 utilizes Spyderco’s patented compression lock. For a long time I thought of this as sort of a “reverse liner-lock,”— that it just had the release on the back of the knife instead of on the bottom like a normal liner lock. Operationally and aesthetically this is true. However, in terms of use and strength that’s a bit of a misconception. The compression lock snaps into place between the blade tang and the stop pin. This “traps” the blade between those two forces. It’s not a matter of lockup “geometry” as much as it is two lateral forces holding the knife open. To use the compression lock, it DOES work like a reverse liner lock, you just have to push the liner the opposite direction of the spring and the blade will swing free.

Spyderco Paramilitary 2 Left Handed Review – Final Thoughts

Well… the Paramilitary 2 is my go to knife when people ask for a recommendation for what knife they should buy. I love the size, I love the grind, and I love the steel. Priced around ~$100 it packs a TON of pound per pound capability. The blade will preform equally well in the kitchen as it would on a construction site. The handles are comfortable to hold, and will stay grippy in almost any conditions. Lastly, the lock is one of the most solid out there, easy to disengage, and simple to operate.

Before I completely button up this review, I think I need to address the backwards elephant in the room. Spyderco released one of the most successful models in a left handed version, and it occurred to me (and my editor Dan), that I should touch on that fact. I think the best way to describe this would be the following: My experience with the Lefty PM2 is likely exactly the same as the right-handed world’s experience with the original PM2. Now, this is worth spending some time considering, the PM2 has a 4-way placeable clip, so most southpaws carried it lefty and just operated the lock the best that we could. The compression lock when operated with the opposite hand that it was designed for is awkward, incredibly, and can be borderline dangerous. Spyderco fixed that problem for us. As I stated earlier, whenever a company released a left-hand specific I typically buy it to support that gesture. This is a great example of that.

Sale

Spyderco Para Military 2 Signature Left-Handed Knife with 3.42" CPM S30V Steel Blade and Durable G-10 Handle - PlainEdge - C81GPLE2

An Improved Classic: Undeniably one of Spyderco's most popular and in-demand designs, the Para Military 2 distills the world-class performance of our legendary Military Model into a more compact, Pocket-Friendly package.
Superior Quality: We kept the same high-performance full flat-ground blade but we've also lengthened the blade's tip and added additional surface jimping to both the spine and finger coil.
A Secure Grip: The G-10 handle is narrowed at the end improving the Ergonomics. The handle and blade have been profile thinner; removing uncomfortable angles when in the closed position.
Easy-to-Use: The Para Military 2 features extreme strength, reliability, and ease of use of our patented Compression Lock mechanism and versatility of a 4-position pocket clip.
Dependable: Refinements to overall construction may not be drastic but from the G-10 textured handle to the steel full flat blade, everything is sharper, smoother and guaranteed to provide performance and user comfort.

$198.75
Buy on Amazon

I recommend purchasing the Paramilitary 2 at Amazon or BladeHQ. Purchasing anything through any of the links on this site helps support BladeReviews, and keep this review train running. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated.

Spyderco Para 3 C223GP Review

by Benjamin Schwartz 11 Comments

The Para 3 started as a fantasy: “Wouldn’t it be great if there were a smaller version of one of the most storied modern production knives of all time?” Then, this fantasy became a rumor, and that rumor became a confirmed project. Then there was a year-long lull. Then all of a sudden, in a whirlwind three months, the Para 3 was unveiled and released.

Buy the Spyderco Para 3 at BladeHQ

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Expectations were not just high, they were at that particular airless altitude where it’s hard to say that people were even aware of just what it was they were asking for. Companies like SOG, Cold Steel, and CRKT habitually release their knives in different sizes – why were we getting so excited about the Para 3?

Well certainly the Paramilitary 2 has a reputation few production knives can match. The knife community is almost unanimous in its praise for the PM2. Most of the criticism comes in the form of wishing for a smaller version. So if the Para 3 address this one issue, wouldn’t it be a perfecter version of a nearly-perfect knife?

No doubt about it, there’s a lot to talk about here. So let’s get into it.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Para 3 has a blade length of just about 3”, with a cutting edge of 2 5/8”, an overall length of 7 1/8”, and a weight of 3.37 oz. It is made in Golden, CO, and is the first Spyderco I’ve handled that was produced in their new facility. Although the Golden, CO knives are fundamentally different in overall ethos than the Taichung stuff, if this Para 3 is a fair representative of the new plant’s capabilities, they are every bit their equal in terms of fit and finish. Unlike some of those fine knives, however, the Para 3 doesn’t feel like a collectible in any sense. This is an immaculately finished EDC blade that you’re meant to use.

What do we call this particular Spyderco blade shape? To me it’s always been their most iconic, appearing on the PM2, the FFG Delica/Endura, and the full-size Military. It’s a great shape for everyday cutting, with all the cutting surfaces you want: straight edge, belly, and a pointy tip. Little performance is lost in the transition to a sub-3” cutting edge, either. It might be a little less efficient in long cuts (as through cardboard), but it gains a little more maneuverability, and that seems like a fair trade.

Spyderco is thought of as an ergonomics-oriented company, but they also always emphasize cutting performance. The Para 3 embodies a lot of Spyderco philosophies, but perhaps this one most of all. The blade stock is thicker than even the saber ground Delica, and yet the flat grind is such that the Para 3 remains a top-tier slicer. It’s tough and aggressive when it needs to be, but graceful and delicate when the situation calls for it. The satin finish is perfectly done to reduce friction as well – definitely a better finish than Taichung.

Some would have it that Spyderco’s S30V is sub-par, but others praise it to the skies. After using it on my Zulu, PM2, and now Para 3, I’m comfortable saying it’s very good. It doesn’t stay hyper keen after a day or two of frequent use, but it retains a clean, usable edge for a very long time. As for sharpening – well, I’m beginning to learn that any steel requires time and attention to sharpen properly. Be patient and maintain a steady hand, and it’s possible to get S30V very sharp, even with rudimentary skills and entry-level equipment.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Para 3’s handle is very similar, but not identical to, the PM2’s. In addition to the obvious reductions in length, it has a more curved spine than its bigger brother. The edges of the G-10 have also been hit with a mild chamfer. Material choices are the expected (but excellent nevertheless) G-10 with nested stainless steel liners.

I think it’s safe to say that the ergonomics are what makes the PM2 so popular. Rarely is a knife so agreeable in the hand, and when it is, it allows all the other excellent elements to shine even brighter. The Para 3’s ergonomics is a story in three parts, starting with the forward finger choil and ending, surprisingly, with the clip.

Utilizing the forward choil, the Para 3’s ergos are excellent. Control over the smaller blade is exemplary, and you’ll have no problem with most cutting tasks. Even smaller details contribute: the curved butt end keeps things comfortable when you’re holding the knife hard or pressing down during a cut. Also, thanks to Spyderco for keeping the finger choil the same size as on the PM2. Nothing more disappointing (nor weirdly prevalent) than a too-small finger choil.

Moving down toward the main part of the handle, the news is less good. If I’m not using the choil, I can’t quite fit all four of my fingers in the main portion of the handle. My pinky usually lands right on the beak at the back, or falls back behind it. The beak isn’t so pointy that it would create a hot spot during most use, but the PM2 was so accommodating in both grip styles that it’s a bummer the smaller Para 3 can’t quite pull it off.

The clip also presents issues. The Spyderco spoon clip is utterly solid in and of itself. I have no complaints with the way it works as a pocket clip. Early reviews/opinions of the Para 3 have lamented the fact that it doesn’t carry deeply due to the large lanyard hole, which has to go above the clip instead of beside it as on the PM2. This means that a good bit of knife is sticking out of your pocket. I didn’t mind this, but I did mind the way the clip interferes with the grip in both positions. The problem is that it goes across so much of the usable handle it’s bound to press uncomfortably somewhere at some point. Not a constant hotspot, but it is noticeable enough to meaningfully detract from the in-hand experience.

As you can see from my pictures, I found a solution to this particular problem. Casey Lynch of Lynch Northwest is well-known for his aftermarket Spyderco pocket clips, and his short clip works perfectly on the Para 3 – and I mean perfectly: it feels like it was made specifically for this knife, and it fixes every issue the stock clip presents. The deep carry is just a bonus for me. Do I think you need the clip to enjoy the Para 3? No. Even stock, ergonomics are well above average. They just aren’t quite as good as the PM2 and the clip helps close that gap.

Deployment and Lockup

If you do a deep-dive on their forums, you’ll find that Spyderco’s bushing/stepped pivot system has been the subject of much discussion over the years. Nobody questions the fast deployment and free-swinging blade, just the variance in terms of lockup from knife to knife. You can get a PM2 that deploys with lightning speed, but you’ll rarely find one that you can dial all the blade play out of, no matter how slight. That was the case with my PM2, although it never bothered me.

My Para 3 appears to have the same pivot, but is even faster than my PM2 to deploy. It flips open with any sort of positive pressure at all – truly thoughtless deployment. It also stands firm once locked up, with nary a hint of play in any direction. On the PM2 I’ve found the Compression Lock to be a somewhat finicky one to maintain, but I’ll chalk that up to my inexperience rather than some mechanical failing. In terms of the Specialty Locks I think I like the Compression Lock best, despite my personal hang-ups. It offers serious strength while still keeping deployment smooth and fluid.

Para 3 Vs. Sage 5

The Para 3’s strongest competition comes from within Spyderco’s catalogue – and it’s NOT the PM2. I know a lot of people will get both, but to me the size difference is enough to put them in separate knife categories. The Sage 5, however, was released just months ahead of the Para 3, and is in the same product class of the PM3: EDC Compression Lock folder with a circa 3” blade.

The Sage 5 doesn’t have the mystique of the Para 3, but it is quite competitive in an objective sense. It’s lighter and it is better in the hand. The little beak and ill-placed clip that cause so much ergonomic drama on the Para 3 are gone on the Sage 5.

The Para 3, however, is an unquestionably better rendition of the Compression Lock: faster deployment and non-existent blade play where the Sage 5 is sluggish and has a little wobble. It is also better balanced; both knives offer phenomenal blade control but the Para 3 is more graceful and responsive.

How about cost? Well, the Sage 5 is about $15 more – not enough to give most of us pause, but tangible. And I’ll say that I think the Para 3 is perfectly priced. It is worth exactly $120 to me, and pretty much sets the limit for what I consider sensible spending on a pocket knife.

Ultimately, you can’t go wrong with either, and a full-fledged showdown between the two might be worth doing, but off the cuff I’m giving the nod to the Para 3: ergonomics are important, and the Sage 5 edges out the Para 3 in this category, but I like the blade shape and mechanics better on the Para 3, and it is certainly not a disaster in hand. And hey, you can use the $15 you save to buy a Casey Lynch clip and solve half of that problem anyway.

Spyderco Para 3 Review – Final Thoughts

The Para 3 has been so long in the coming that in some ways it’s just a relief to be able to say a bunch of nice things about it. I was a little skeptical that scaling down the PM2 would be redundant, but Spyderco managed to make it feel like a different knife, and a great one at that.

That being said I’m also not totally blown away. Some things to consider: If you can legally own the PM2, I still think it edges the Para 3 out in terms of design. Technically they aren’t in the same use category, but they do share design fundamentals and I’d rather have more variety amongst my tools than two very similar albeit excellent knives. The Delica 4 is a great EDC knife for half the price. There is also the Sage 5 to consider, as well as knives like the Native 5 and Caly 3.

So I guess the worst thing I can say about the Para 3 is that it’s just another great Spyderco design. This is an excellent follow-up to what is arguably their best knife. Is it a must buy world beater? No. But Spyderco managed to bring something long wished-for to life without losing the magic, and in and of itself that’s an accomplishment.

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Editor: I recommend purchasing the Paramilitary 3 at Amazon or BladeHQ. Purchasing anything through any of the links on this site helps support BladeReviews, and keep this review train running. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated.

Spyderco Sage 5 Compression Lock C123CFCL Review

by Dan Jackson 23 Comments

I am sure a few people saw this review coming. When you consider my recommended EDC knives page, you can see that my general top 2 choices for someone is either the Spyderco Paramilitary 2, or the Sage 1.

Buy the Spyderco Sage 5 at BladeHQ

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I arrived at this conclusion after handling and reviewing hundreds of knives. There are a ton of other great Every Day Carry (EDC) options out there, but if I had to just suggest 2 knives to any random person off the ~~street~~ internet I’d say go with a Para 2 if you want a bigger knife with a 3.5″ blade, or go with a Sage 1 if you want something with a 3″ blade. Granted this assumes you are willing to spend $100+ on a pocket knife.

The Sage 5 takes the unassuming footprint of the Sage series, a product line designed to celebrate knife locks and their inventors, and matches it with the beloved compression lock. People have clamored for a smaller compression lock knife for years, and Spyderco has finally delivered with the Sage 5.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Sage 5 has an overall length of 7.17″, a 3″ blade, weighs 3.1 ounces, and is made in Taiwan. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I like this size of knife for EDC. It’s not too big, and not too small. Compared with the Sage 1 this knife is a little lighter and thinner thanks to nested and heavily milled out stainless steel liners. The Sage 1 weighs 3.2 ounces, so only .1 of an ounce more, but it feels heavier in hand. I hate to use the “P” word these days, but I still think this may be the perfect size EDC knife for my purposes.

Like all the other knives in the Sage series, this knife features Spyderco’s leaf shaped blade. It’s simple and unassuming with its full flat grind and satin finish. The blade is ground from 3mm thick stock, and the end result is a blade that is thin and agile. It easily tackles cardboard, food prep, and mail. It will press into harder tasks if necessary. The tip is a reasonable balance of strength and precision. No surprises and no complaints with the blade.

Spyderco went with CPM S30V blade steel. This is the same steel they have used on the other Sages I’ve handled. I think CPM S30V is good, but these days I would prefer to see Spyderco upgrade this to S35V. S35VN is tougher and I find it a little easier to sharpen. S30V can be brittle, and it can be relatively tough to sharpen. The heat treat can make a difference, but all things equal I think S35VN is a nice little upgrade of over S30V.

That said, the S30V here is plenty good and I have a lot of experience with it. The blade is relatively easy to sharpen, exhibits good edge retention, and is decently tough. As always, for more information on blade steel I invite you to check out my page on knife steel or I suppose you could re-read this section on my Sage 1 or Sage 2 reviews. The blades and steel are all identical.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle design is where we begin to see the uniqueness of the Sage 5. To the untrained eye you may not think there is much different from the original Sage 1. Sure, they share a similar faux carbon fiber cladding, but beyond that there are key differences to note. Specifically, the Sage 5 has nested stainless steel liners, while the liners of the Sage 1 are not nested. As previously mentioned, this results in a thinner and lighter knife. The Sage 5 has only 2 stand offs while the Sage 1 has 3. However, the Sage 5 does come with a sleeved lanyard hole, something I could live without. Also, the color of the carbon fiber veneer is slightly different from the Sage 1.

As you would expect, the fit and finish of this knife is immaculate. The handle is put together with the same eerie precision of all the other Taiwanese Spydies. If it wasn’t for the fact that someone wrote on the inside of the handle scales with a pencil, I would have not have guessed that a human hand touched this knife.

Like a lot of Spyderco knives that share this profile, the ergonomics are great. Just like the Para 2 and Dragonfly 2, you have a forward 50/50 finger choil. You also get a pleasantly jimped thumb ramp. It provides traction without being overly aggressive. The main portion of the handle easily accommodates a full 4 finger grip, while that finger choil gives you some extra options.

The Sage 5 comes with Spyderco’s wire clip. Ah, the wire clip. This is a love it or hate it thing. Personally, I love the wire clip. Here it is a bright stainless steel. My preference is for the black chrome version found on the Sage 1, but I must admit that this satin version looks nice with the rest of the stainless steel hardware. It reminds me of the Chaparral.

This knife carries like a slimmer and lighter Sage 1. That is to say, it carries pretty damn good. This is a knife you could carry with a suit or slacks if you wanted to. The fold over wire clip buries deep, and most people will probably mistake it for a pen. The Sage 5 is a knife you will forget is in your pocket.

Deployment and Lockup

Of course like all the other Sages the blade is opened with a thumb hole. It’s easy to access and the blade moves on phosphor bronze washers. No complaints there. However, I did run into a problem when trying to close the knife. The action was very stiff from the factory. I didn’t mind at first as I knew that my Sage 1 required a break in period due to its tight tolerances, but I became concerned when the action didn’t improve after a couple weeks of carry and a healthy application of Tuf Glide.

So I decided to take my Sage 5 apart to take a closer look and try to resolve the issue with the stiff action. The problem was that the blade would not shut easily, and I actually needed 2 hands to close the knife. Not ideal, especially when compared with the easy action of my Para 2.

I found that Spyderco used an industrial strength version of Loctite on this knife. I am glad I had my new WiHa drivers as I am sure my Husky set would have stripped out. It required a lot of force to crack the pivot open, but with a little patience and elbow grease I was able to get the knife apart.

I ended up adding a little more Tuf Glide and then re-assembled the knife. Everything came back together without issue and now the blade moves freely. I can now easily open and close the knife with one hand. I think the pivot was adjusted a shade too tight at the factory. If you run into this problem there is no need to take the knife completely apart. Just carefully adjust the pivot.

The compression lock works great here, now that the blade moves freely. For the uninitiated, this is not a “liner lock on the back of the knife”. This is a totally different lock that sandwiches the locking leaf between the tang of the blade and a stop pin. You can get a better feel of this from the picture. Spyderco claims this makes for a stronger lock, but I think the most significant benefit is that you can close the blade with one hand, and without putting your fingers in the path of the blade, much like an axis lock.

I was concerned that the compression lock might be a little figety on the small profile of the Sage, but it works fine. The lock itself is easy to manipulate and lockup is tight. This is a nice locking mechanism worthy of a spot on the Sage lineup.

Sage 1 vs. Sage 5

I am sure at least a couple people will be curious to get my opinion on whether I like the Sage 1 or the Sage 5 more. This was actually a lot harder than I thought it would be. Before I took my Sage 5 apart I would have said the Sage 1. It was just too tough to manipulate with one hand. Now that the pivot is loosened slightly and the knife has broken in, I really like the thinner and lighter Sage 5. It is very easy to manipulate with one hand and it carries even better than the Sage 1. As much as I enjoy the Sage 1, I gotta “keep it real” – I think the Sage 5 is an improvement.

Still, the Sage 1 will always have special significance for me. It was one of the first higher end knives I bought for myself, and I love the simplicity of the knife. It’s solid and perfectly made. I also appreciate the familiarity of the liner lock. The compression lock is great, but there is something very simple and comfortable about a liner lock. The Sage 1 is a great pocket knife and you can’t go wrong with it. But I do think Spyderco managed to make some improvements with the Sage 5. Neither will be leaving my collection. I’ll update the review if my opinion changes.

Spyderco Sage 5 Review – Final Thoughts

I am not sure a review of this knife was entirely necessary. Combining the footprint of the Sage series with a compression lock is a no brainer, and Spyderco executed this knife near perfectly.

In a perfect world I’d like to see S35VN and the pivot perfectly adjusted out of the box, but these are small quibbles on an otherwise excellent knife. I’m sure some might want a different pocket clip, but I love the simplicity and elegance of the wire clip. Sorry wire clip haters.

The Sage 5 will likely be a “must buy” for Spyderco fans, and a serious contender for anyone seeking a 3″ EDC knife in the ~$100 range.

Looks like I’ll have to make some room on my best EDC knives page. We have a winner.

Spyderco Sage 5 Prestige Folding Utility Pocket Knife with 3" CPM S30V Stainless Steel Blade and Black Carbon Fiber Laminate Handle - PlainEdge - Everyday Carry - C123CFPCL

High Performance: The Spyderco's Sage Series is a unique family of knives showcasing the innovative lock mechanisms that have helped define modern folding knife technology.
Designed to be Safe: The Sage 5 uses a compression Lock mechanism. This mechanism is substantially stronger than Linerlocks and its location allows the knife to be safely closed with only one hand without placing your fingers in the path of the edge
Dependable: Every Sage Series knife in the series features the same basic design parameters: a full-flat-ground, leaf-shaped CPM S30V blade, an ergonomic handle design with textured forefinger choil and thumb ramp, and wire clip.
Versatile: The Sage 5 is an extremely capable all-purpose cutting tool with skeletonized Stainless Steel liners nested into textured carbon fiber/G-10 laminate scales.
More To Love: The open-backed construction reduces the knife's weight and allows easy cleaning, while a reversible deep-pocket wire clip provides convenient tip-up carry on either side of the body.

$211.99
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I recommend purchasing the Spyderco Sage 5 at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.