These knives are “similar” but they feel night and day different. I have both and I prefer the Sage 5 all day. The liners make it feel more stout in the hand and rigid, the ergos are the best. The only con to me is blade steel availability. The para3 gets the fancy treatment with sprint runs. Sage 5 is just s30v though I did score an M4 version some time ago
I recently picked up the PM3 LW and fell in love with it. I really like the compression lock and the "fall" to closure! At first glance, these two are so similar, I thought, "what's the point" (of adding a second)...but my eye gravitates towards the more streamlined blade shape of the Sage5.
Minor points: The Para3 lightweight only the bronze busing on one side; the other side rests on a surface molded onto the scale. The blade stop on the Para3 lightweight is anchored only on the lock side. Still, the Para3 is an excellent every day carry and very capable. Also, there are already Para3 dealer exclusives, such as the DLT Trading M390 version, but, even at $129.95, those sold out quickly.
Another detail that might justify the price difference is that Para 3 lw runs only on one bronze washer while Sage 5 lw runs on two bronze washers AND has a pivot bushing. One could see in this video how much smoother it was closing. I am still waiting for Chaparral FRN with the compression lock.
Same here. I really enjoy both. But I like the Sage LW just a bit more. The blade shape and ergonomics are both great but the Sage is just a better in my hand. You can’t go wrong with either.
I had the Para3 LW - and when I used it for heavier carving tasks - I would get pinched and blistered. The top if the handle seems to be more flexy. I really like the compression lock - so I tried the Sage 5 - and it is more comfy - and a less flexible handle.
I bought the Sage 5 a few weeks ago, and its my new favorite EDC. I have had the Manix 2 for a while and its just a little big for my hands, so the Sage is perfect. Plus im not a huge fan of the Para 3's profile, i prefer the leaf shape
The first review of yours I watched was a comparison between the Ontario Rat 2 and the Esee Zancudo. The Spyderco PM2 is my favorite knife, I went to Spyderco and the Para 3 ergos are not not my favorite so I purchased the UK penkife with the new CTS-BD1N steel, which is now my favrite user steel. As you had mentioned it holds a good edge but it strops back to a scalpel's edge easily. Thanks for another excellent review.
I prefer the leaf shape blades. Para's not as comfortable in my hand. I only wish there were other scale color options and steels. Spyderco should bring back the Sage 3 with the axis like mechanism.
Great review. As I commented below I like both but prefer the Sage LW. However the Para 3 LW will have more variants of steels offered. I think there have already been several such as an orange in CPM Rex 45. They do sell out quickly. The US made Spyderco knives will have sprint runs and steel variants but the knives made in Taiwan generally do not. However the factory in Taiwan is where many of the premium Spyderco knives are made and the do great work.
just bought the sage5 LW! so for me it is perfect! usually I eat apples and open box, but now I do want to cut everything around me)) and there is no problem with mental mood and carry, which I faced when i've got spyderco hungarian M390 into my pocket. oh forgot to say I've bought Sage for 90$))
They really dropped the ball with the Para3 LW. The Sage 5 LW wins in nearly every category. Including x2 washers & liners ! The Para3 only has *one* washer & no liners. No thanks! I traded my Para3 White FRN due to those reasons.
Great review.You brought out few points that hadn't occurred to me. I own the PM2 like it way better than the 3 b/c of larger handle.I have tougher knives if I need them.I carry them.Keep up great work.
Thanks for the very helpful video! I went with the Para 3 lw and definitely love it. At first I thought I’d like the look of the Sage better, but in the end I just love the look of the Para. I already dropped it onto tile and not a scratch so I feel it is definitely tough. I just need a good folder for around the house and patio so definitely it meets my needs. Thank you again and I have subscribed!
Great vid... useful info. However, still see that you have the manix2 lw listed as your favorite EDC.... any comparison or ranking of these three knives that you'd care to offer??? Thanks again...
Dude, it's 2020, not 1965--skilled labor in Taiwan is no cheaper than the US today, so your argument that these should be the same price holds no water, especially when you factor in shipping costs and import duties. The Sage 5 LW has MUCH better steel, full liners, dual bronze bushings, and steel standoffs (as you point out)--that is worth much more than $20 easy. The Para 3 LW should be selling for $75, not $105.
Much better steel? I can sharpen my BDN1 to a sharper edge, and obviously faster than my sage5. Like the sage better, but wish it had BDN1 or CPM154 instead.
Spydercos wire clips are my favorite. I would like to see the Sage 5 with the contouring of the Para 3's scales. I'll bet if the Para 3 were made in the Taichung factory it would be more expensive. I like depressing the lock with my middle finger as it feels more balanced in my hand. I dig that Spyderco offers so many different models.
I own both. Actually like the BDN1 steel on para better than S30V sage. But sage is a bit smoother action, and like the leaf blade shape slightly more.
I like the way the Para 3 fits better. I've never really choked back on it as an edc knife, so that metric hasn't ever made a whole lot of sense to me as a con, but I'm not a bruiser on my knives very much either.
@@Lumpy_Peter Strengths: Strong lock up without the lock being too beefy. Your fingers are out of the closing path. Weaknesses: Takes some getting used to with disengaging the lock. However once you get used to it opening and closing is a breeze. Some people complain about getting "pinched" by the liner but I've never had this problem personally.
Not sue if you would be able to tell me but can you put aftermarket Para 3 scales such as from flytanium on a lightweight instead of on a regular Para 3. I’ve been wanting a brass para 3 for a while and not sure whether to go with a regular para 3 or the lightweight to save a little bit of extra cash?
Only on one side. Though that may be subject to change for some of the sprint runs; I could have sworn I read that one of the sprint/retailer's exclusives was going to have the same pivot setup as the Sage.
Nice review Aaron. Can you answer 2 questions please? Does the P3 have a larger pivot? And are you concerned at all about how the Sage's blade edge terminates at the ricasso/kick? It appears that it would make sharpening a problem. I noticed that the P3 edge terminates at a small choil. A Dremel could create a choil of course.
Lol slightly better slicing/cutting preformance? Umm no lol the Sage 5 vastly out cuts the Para 2/3. Much thinner BTE, just better cutting geometry however that's not saying anything about the Para 3 it's a hell of a slicy knife! The Sage 5 is just on another level.
Sage is way better than the Para 3 LW. But it is a higher price point. I’ve always preferred Spydercos with the less pronounced hump on the ramp such as the Shaman and Manix.
These knives are “similar” but they feel night and day different. I have both and I prefer the Sage 5 all day. The liners make it feel more stout in the hand and rigid, the ergos are the best. The only con to me is blade steel availability. The para3 gets the fancy treatment with sprint runs. Sage 5 is just s30v though I did score an M4 version some time ago
I recently picked up the PM3 LW and fell in love with it. I really like the compression lock and the "fall" to closure! At first glance, these two are so similar, I thought, "what's the point" (of adding a second)...but my eye gravitates towards the more streamlined blade shape of the Sage5.
Minor points: The Para3 lightweight only the bronze busing on one side; the other side rests on a surface molded onto the scale. The blade stop on the Para3 lightweight is anchored only on the lock side. Still, the Para3 is an excellent every day carry and very capable. Also, there are already Para3 dealer exclusives, such as the DLT Trading M390 version, but, even at $129.95, those sold out quickly.
Another detail that might justify the price difference is that Para 3 lw runs only on one bronze washer while Sage 5 lw runs on two bronze washers AND has a pivot bushing. One could see in this video how much smoother it was closing.
I am still waiting for Chaparral FRN with the compression lock.
Hexagon.. those are hexagons. I love the sage style knives..natives, shaman, and so on
I think $120 for the Sage LW is ok considering fit and finish of the Sage.
I own both and for some reason sage 5 seems to find my pocket more often than pm3 ....love them both
Same here. I really enjoy both. But I like the Sage LW just a bit more. The blade shape and ergonomics are both great but the Sage is just a better in my hand. You can’t go wrong with either.
@@mjc7778 Sage def looks better
This. Love everything about the Sage 5 LW. Been carrying it exclusively since April.
I had the Para3 LW - and when I used it for heavier carving tasks - I would get pinched and blistered. The top if the handle seems to be more flexy. I really like the compression lock - so I tried the Sage 5 - and it is more comfy - and a less flexible handle.
Hey Aaron, Para 3 has only 1 phosphor-bronze washer against steel liner insert. Second side is plastic.
I bought the Sage 5 a few weeks ago, and its my new favorite EDC. I have had the Manix 2 for a while and its just a little big for my hands, so the Sage is perfect. Plus im not a huge fan of the Para 3's profile, i prefer the leaf shape
Sage is way better, better steel(in this case), more comfortable to handle and work with, and I love that leaf shape.
Been watching since you started Arron is awesome, great guy answered questions I had n always shows great content
I appreciate your time and effort on this video. It helped me decide to go with the Para 3.
All the Sage series have the wire clip & S30V steel, their differences are the scales & the locking system.
The first review of yours I watched was a comparison between the Ontario Rat 2 and the Esee Zancudo. The Spyderco PM2 is my favorite knife, I went to Spyderco and the Para 3 ergos are not not my favorite so I purchased the UK penkife with the new CTS-BD1N steel, which is now my favrite user steel. As you had mentioned it holds a good edge but it strops back to a scalpel's edge easily.
Thanks for another excellent review.
Had to get a sage after watching this. Totally agree with your assessments
It’s great you won’t be disappointed
I wish they would use the shorter wire pocket clip. Just like the one on the dragonfly.
Hmm interesting point, would the dragonfly pocket clip work on these?
Best review I’ve seen in a while!
I prefer the leaf shape blades. Para's not as comfortable in my hand. I only wish there were other scale color options and steels. Spyderco should bring back the Sage 3 with the axis like mechanism.
Great review. As I commented below I like both but prefer the Sage LW. However the Para 3 LW will have more variants of steels offered. I think there have already been several such as an orange in CPM Rex 45. They do sell out quickly. The US made Spyderco knives will have sprint runs and steel variants but the knives made in Taiwan generally do not. However the factory in Taiwan is where many of the premium Spyderco knives are made and the do great work.
MJC 777 same question... anyone know?
Hands down Sage 5 FTW⚔️
Thanks for the video my Bladed Brother ✝️
I'm not a knife connoisseur, so I'm finding the differences to be insignificant. Either would be suitable for a smaller EDC.
Sage 5 easily the better knife and is justified in it's cost. Made Overseas has nothing to do with justified matching cost for me.
just bought the sage5 LW! so for me it is perfect! usually I eat apples and open box, but now I do want to cut everything around me)) and there is no problem with mental mood and carry, which I faced when i've got spyderco hungarian M390 into my pocket. oh forgot to say I've bought Sage for 90$))
They really dropped the ball with the Para3 LW. The Sage 5 LW wins in nearly every category. Including x2 washers & liners ! The Para3 only has *one* washer & no liners. No thanks! I traded my Para3 White FRN due to those reasons.
Great review.You brought out few points that hadn't occurred to me. I own the PM2 like it way better than the 3 b/c of larger handle.I have tougher knives if I need them.I carry them.Keep up great work.
Thanks for the very helpful video! I went with the Para 3 lw and definitely love it. At first I thought I’d like the look of the Sage better, but in the end I just love the look of the Para. I already dropped it onto tile and not a scratch so I feel it is definitely tough. I just need a good folder for around the house and patio so definitely it meets my needs. Thank you again and I have subscribed!
Awesome video once again buddy. I'm kind of sold on the Sage. Makes you wonder why you see more Paras out there
Moorlander EDC I don’t own either but if I had to pick it would be the sage. I just wish the sage lw had the same style handles as the para.
Thanks for filming
Great vid... useful info. However, still see that you have the manix2 lw listed as your favorite EDC.... any comparison or ranking of these three knives that you'd care to offer???
Thanks again...
Dude, it's 2020, not 1965--skilled labor in Taiwan is no cheaper than the US today, so your argument that these should be the same price holds no water, especially when you factor in shipping costs and import duties. The Sage 5 LW has MUCH better steel, full liners, dual bronze bushings, and steel standoffs (as you point out)--that is worth much more than $20 easy. The Para 3 LW should be selling for $75, not $105.
Much better steel? I can sharpen my BDN1 to a sharper edge, and obviously faster than my sage5. Like the sage better, but wish it had BDN1 or CPM154 instead.
Spydercos wire clips are my favorite. I would like to see the Sage 5 with the contouring of the Para 3's scales. I'll bet if the Para 3 were made in the Taichung factory it would be more expensive. I like depressing the lock with my middle finger as it feels more balanced in my hand. I dig that Spyderco offers so many different models.
I own both. Actually like the BDN1 steel on para better than S30V sage.
But sage is a bit smoother action, and like the leaf blade shape slightly more.
I like the way the Para 3 fits better. I've never really choked back on it as an edc knife, so that metric hasn't ever made a whole lot of sense to me as a con, but I'm not a bruiser on my knives very much either.
Wish they'd put a spine lock on it.... hate the compression lock...
But that would take away from all the fake knife users, that use their knives as toys and just play around with them🙄
That was Sage 4. You can also go a bit smaller Chaparral FRN.
May I ask why do you hate the compression lock? Just asking. I've never owned one, but I would like to try it out.
@@Lumpy_Peter
Strengths: Strong lock up without the lock being too beefy. Your fingers are out of the closing path.
Weaknesses: Takes some getting used to with disengaging the lock. However once you get used to it opening and closing is a breeze. Some people complain about getting "pinched" by the liner but I've never had this problem personally.
Check the sage 1, same knife but with liner lock
Very Cool versus video, Aaron !!!!!!!!!!
Not sue if you would be able to tell me but can you put aftermarket Para 3 scales such as from flytanium on a lightweight instead of on a regular Para 3. I’ve been wanting a brass para 3 for a while and not sure whether to go with a regular para 3 or the lightweight to save a little bit of extra cash?
Same question... anyone know?
You cant as the regular Para 3 has liners on both sides as opposed to one on the lightweight.
Like the Sage 5 Lightweight, does the PM 3 LW have a pivot bushing? Makes for a centered blade and smoother action.
Only on one side. Though that may be subject to change for some of the sprint runs; I could have sworn I read that one of the sprint/retailer's exclusives was going to have the same pivot setup as the Sage.
Could you review the real steel terra? It's like a para2 liner lock with a wire clip
Thanks for the review. Great one.
One question: How good is Sage 5 LW compared to Manix 2 LW in your opinion?
The Manix2 is better if you can get the s110v or maxamet steel. The BD1 is ok but the sage 5 lw s30v will hold an edge a lot longer.
Great review. 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽 I’m new in your channel and really got hooked on it. Cheers from Mexico City.
His name is Pete, his dog was named Cedric.
The sage is speaking to me.
I’m digging the old G-Shock on your wrist. Is that the venerable 5600?
I think the sage 5 is more expensive because is more solid and complex. And should have nothing to see from who is made by
The steel is more expensive so way around it
Nothing cheap about Taiwan, Japan, or South Korea these days.
Thomas Maloney No I totally agree with you. I was just making an observation about US versus Taiwanese production costs
Would like to see you review the ruike d191-b I have had it for a couple of months and love I am sure you will connect with its blade shape it awesome
I have and love the pm3 lw but I’m sure I would be happy with the sage.
Nice review Aaron. Can you answer 2 questions please? Does the P3 have a larger pivot? And are you concerned at all about how the Sage's blade edge terminates at the ricasso/kick? It appears that it would make sharpening a problem. I noticed that the P3 edge terminates at a small choil. A Dremel could create a choil of course.
Manix vs Sage? Are they similar?
No, not at all. Different lock, ergos, size, blade length.
And shipping cost over seas!
7:41
Hexagon polygon.
Native 5 for me. All day everyday
Same. It was a hard decision, but very pleased with the native
MY ADVICE;? BUY'EM BOTH
I love my Para 3 lightweight
I gotta have one!
Lol slightly better slicing/cutting preformance? Umm no lol the Sage 5 vastly out cuts the Para 2/3. Much thinner BTE, just better cutting geometry however that's not saying anything about the Para 3 it's a hell of a slicy knife! The Sage 5 is just on another level.
Sage is way better than the Para 3 LW. But it is a higher price point. I’ve always preferred Spydercos with the less pronounced hump on the ramp such as the Shaman and Manix.
Sage5 is better because it’s made out of metal, but Para3 is plastic!
Great battle. I prefer the Chaparral over both. Cts xhp...blade geometry...game over.
PETE ! not celdrik
Sage is an efficient
Para 3 is a Para 3 😊
Earth usa
Shaman lightweight anyone?!
I have both, and prefer the Sage 5.