Are These Spyderco Knives Still Worth Buying in 2025? Para 3, Paramilitary 2, Military Compared

It’s a family feud! Squaring off today are a trio of Spyderco’s most iconic knives: the Paramilitary 2, its younger brother the Para 3, and the oldest and largest member of the family, the original Spyderco Military. All three knives are outstanding expressions of Spyderco’s design philosophy, but are they worth putting in your pocket?

What you’ll find here:

• How and why the Spyderco Military knives became Spyderco’s most successful USA-made designs
• Honest assessment and comparison of the Para 3, Paramilitary 2, and Military based on real user testing
• Recommendations to help you pick which knife is right for you

The Original Spyderco Military: Built for the Battlefield

Both the Paramilitary 2 and the Para 3 are descended from a common ancestor: the Spyderco Military (pictured above). The original Military was Sal Glesser’s answer to the question “if your son were going into the military, what folding knife would you send him with?” Large, light, and fast, the original Military has become a cornerstone of Spyderco’s USA-made lineup and is instantly recognizable by its design DNA:

• Oversized round opening hole
• 50/50 finger choil
• Lengthy undulating handle shape
• Straight clip point blade shape
• Full-flat grind

Aside from a handful of subtle internal tweaks over the years, the original Military has remained unchanged to this day. For many, that’s a good thing. However, features like a tip-down-only clip and liner lock now feel a bit dated compared to modern Spyderco models.

Military 2: A Modern Classic Reimagined

Luckily, Spyderco have been paying attention. The Military 2.0 updates the classic design for a new generation of knife users with key upgrades borrowed from Spyderco’s more modern folders:

• Compression Lock for improved strength and safety (more on this in a minute)
• Refined ergonomics
• 4-way repositionable clip for ambidextrous carry

Best of all, the original Military remains in production, giving users a choice between tradition and innovation. Time will tell which version becomes the new favorite.

Spyderco Compression Lock: Why It Matters

Both the Paramilitary 2 and Para 3 modernized the Military’s winning formula by shrinking it and introducing Spyderco’s Compression Lock. But what makes this lock system so special?

• Simple: It needs no separate spring, button, or bar to operate.
• Lightweight: No need for a backspacer or other bulky parts to secure the blade.
• Strong: Wedge-like mechanics hold fast between the blade tang and the stop pin to latch the blade in place.
• Safe: Disengage without putting fingers in harm’s way.
• Fun: Great for fidgeting with satisfying, free-swinging action

Paramilitary 2: The Best All-Rounder in the Spyderco Lineup?

Like the Military before it, the generous dimensions and lightweight construction of the Paramilitary 2 give it a surprising feel when you first pick one up—your brain just isn’t expecting something this size to weigh this little (3.8 oz). As a result, the Paramilitary 2 feels agile in use and rides easy in the pocket. Even with its average-sized 3.5” blade, it feels a little bigger than you might imagine thanks to a somewhat oversized handle that supports multiple grips.

The blade is pure utility, Spyderco style: a steep thumb ramp for grip, a sloping belly for long slices and an aggressively precise—but not delicate—tip. The 3.7mm blade stock is relatively thick so it’s up for rougher work than, say, a Spyderco Delica. That thicker blade stock coupled with the Paramilitary 2’s full-flat grind provides a great balance between low-friction cutting performance and strength. It may not be the best slicer in Spyderco’s catalog, but it’s got the muscle to power through just about anything.

If I have one gripe with the Paramilitary 2, it’s the ergonomics. Even though the handle does just about everything right, the edges of the scales are boxy and the butt end of the handle is a little pointer than I would prefer. Compared to the larger Military, there’s not enough length to stretch out on; compared to the smaller Para 3, there’s too much length to make the forward finger choil feel necessary. Nonetheless, the compromises it makes are smartly done, making it arguably the best all-rounder in the line.

Para 3: Compact, Capable, and Crowd-Favorite

The youngest, smallest, and arguably most popular member of the family, the Para 3 is the latest knife to carry on the legacy of the original Spyderco Military.

Although it’s significantly shorter than the Paramilitary 2, the Para 3 is identical in a number of key dimensions: it has the same blade stock thickness, the same sized finger choil, and the same handle thickness. Taken together, those similarities mean that even though the Para 3 is technically lighter than the Paramilitary 2 (3.0 oz. vs 3.8 oz.), it feels somewhat more dense. It’s not a bad thing; in fact it makes the knife seem a little more pugnacious in a way I quite enjoy. However, if you’re really after a true ultralight experience, check out the Para 3 Lightweight. It swaps out the G10 scales for linerless FRN, and the controversial pocket clip (more on that later) for a deep-carry wire one for easy, discreet carry.

The blade is more (or less, rather) of the same great formula in a slightly shorter 3” package: strong, precise, utilitarian. Unless you’re working in a kitchen or a war zone, the Para 3’s blade length is long enough to handle whatever it needs to do.

Ergonomically, the Para 3 fixes a couple of the gripes I have with the Paramilitary 2. First, the shorter overall length means that the extra space provided by the finger choil feels a lot more natural. Those with larger hands will definitely appreciate the extra grip it affords. Secondly, the back end of the handle is dropped, tapered, and rounded in a way I find very comfortable: it tucks into my palm and doesn’t have the bothersome hard-edged feel that the Paramilitary 2 does.

Of course, no knife is perfect and the Para 3 is no exception. The Para 3’s pocket clip positioning can leave a lot of the handle sticking out in the tip-up position. Luckily, there are lots of aftermarket deep-carry clips made to solve the issue.

Customize Your Spyderco: Para 3 & Paramilitary 2 Mods

One of the best parts about the Paramilitary 2 and Para 3 is the massive community behind them. Whether you’re upgrading for performance or just for looks, you’ll find a rich ecosystem of:

• Deep-carry pocket clips
• Custom handle scales
• Backspacers and hardware kits
• Blade swaps and regrinds

From factory excellence to fully personalized EDC tools, these knives can be as unique as you are.

Final Thoughts: Which Spyderco Knife Should You Buy?

Whether you’re drawn to the tactical pedigree of the Military, the balanced versatility of the Paramilitary 2, or the compact power of the Para 3, there’s no wrong choice here. These knives aren’t just related—they’re foundational to the Spyderco legacy. Choose the one that fits your hand, your pocket, and your mission.