C223 Para 3
The C223 Para 3 is a smaller version of the extremely popular Paramilitary 2. It should be noted that the "3" refers to the blade length and is actually part of the model name, not a designation of what generation the knife is on.
Appearance in catalogs
The C223 Para 3 appeared in the following catalogs (with notes where models first appeared):
- 2017 Spyderco Product Guide (C223G)
- 2017 Spyderco Mid-Year Supplement (C223GS, C223GPS, C223GPCMO, C223GPCMOBK, C223GPDBL, C223GPBK)
- 2018 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2018 Spyderco Mid-Year Supplement (C223GPBORE)
- 2019 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2019 Spyderco Reveal v1 (C223PBK, C223SBK)
- 2019 Spyderco Reveal v3 (C223PBBK)
- 2020 Spyderco Product Guide (C223SBBK, C223GPDGY)
- 2020 Spyderco Reveal v4 (C223PCBL, C223GPFGR, C223PBORE)
- 2021 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2022 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2023 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2024 Spyderco Product Guide
Designer
History, mentionings from the forums etc.
Spyderco forum discussion about the "Paramilitary3".
Information from the Spyderco catalog on the web
C223 Para 3:
"The Para 3 takes all the proven features and benefits of Spyderco’s best-selling Para Military™2 and distills them into an even more compact all-purpose cutting tool. Its three-inch blade is precision machined from premium CPM® S30V® particle metallurgy stainless steel and features a full-flat grind for a superior balance of strength, point utility, and low-friction cutting performance. It includes a textured index-finger choil and thumb ramp that provide a solid purchase for a forward grip and offer enhanced control during precise cutting tasks. The blade’s signature Trademark Round Hole™ clearly brands it as a member of the Spyderco family and is fully accessible to allow quick, positive, one-handed opening with either hand.
To keep the Para 3 slim and pocket friendly, it features a lightweight, open-backed construction style and its stainless steel liners are nested into machined recesses in the textured G-10 scales. This reduces the handle thickness and provides excellent structural support for the knife’s patented Compression Lock™. Located in the spine of the handle, this high-strength mechanism locks the blade securely open during use, yet allows it to be closed easily and safely with only one hand. A four-position hourglass clip and an oversized lined lanyard hole complete the design, offering ambidextrous tip-up or tip-down carry and allowing the easy attachment of fobs and lanyards.
Ounce for once one of the most capable folding knives ever made, the Para 3 is destined to be a classic."
The C223 Para 3 in Spyderco's online catalog
Variations
The C223 Para 3 is made in Golden, CO and has
- Compression Lock
- Nested stainless steel liners
- Open-backed construction
- Lanyard hole
SKU | Handle | Edge(s) | Steel | From/To | MSRP | Note | Number made | Grind | Clip | Clip positions | Collectors club |
C223GP | Black textured G-10 | PE | CPM-S30V | Dec. 2016- | 199.95$ (2016) | Regular production | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Main | |
C223GPS | Black textured G-10 | PS | CPM-S30V | Mar. 2017- | 199.95$ (2017) | Regular production | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant | |
C223GPCMO | Digi camo G-10 | PE | CPM-S30V | May 2017- | 199.95$ (2017) | Regular production | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant | |
C223GS | Black textured G-10 | SE | CPM-S30V | June 2017- | 199.95$ (2017) | Regular production | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant | |
C223GPBK | Black textured G-10 | PE | Black CPM-S30V | June 2017- | 219.95$ (2017) | Black hardware | Regular production | Full Flat | Black Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C223GPDBL | Dark blue G-10 | PE | CPM-S110V | Aug. 2017- | $244.95 (2017) | Regular production | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant | |
C223GPCMOBK | Digi camo G-10 | PE | Black CPM-S30V | Aug. 2017- | 219.95$ (2017) | Black hardware | Regular production | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C223GPGYCW | Gray G-10 | PE | Cru-Wear | Aug. 2017 | $209.95 (2017) | Sprintrun | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant | |
C223CF90VP | Black peel ply CF | PE | CPM-S90V | Feb. 2018 | $319.95 (2018) | Sprintrun | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant | |
C223GPBL | Blue G-10 | PE | M390 | Feb. 2018 / Nov. 29, 2019 @ 9am PST | $155.95/$160.00 (street), $207.95/$220.00 (MSRP) | Bento Box Shop dealer exclusive. Second batch released Nov. 2019. | Limited (2 batches) | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C223GPDGY | Dark gray G-10 | PE | Maxamet | Mar. 2018- | $284.95 (2018) | Regular production | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant | |
C223GM4P | Jade G-10 | PE | CPM-M4 | June 26, 2018 | $144.95 (street), $214.95 (MSRP) | Blade HQ dealer Exclusive | Limited | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C223GPODFDE | Olive drab G-10 | PE | Flat dark earth PVD coated CTS-204P | July 2018 | $139.95 (street) | River's Edge Cutlery dealer Exclusive. Black hardware. First half of the run went on sale July 6 and sold out the same day. | 600 | Full Flat | Black Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C223GM4PBK | Jade G-10 | PE | Black DLC CPM-M4 | July 2018 | $154.95 (street), $224.95 (MSRP) | Blade HQ dealer Exclusive | Limited | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C223GPBORE | Burnt orange G-10 | PE | CPM REX 45 | Aug. 2018 | $214.95 (2018) | Sprintrun | Limited | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C223CF52100P | Black CF | PE | 52100 | Aug. 2018 | $309.95 (2018) | H.L. Dalis distributor Exclusive | Limited | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C223GPBN | Earth brown G-10 | PE | CPM-S35VN | Sept. 2018 | $229.95 (2017) | Moteng distributor exclusive | 1200 | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C223GPRDBK | Red G-10 | PE | Black DLC CPM-4V | Sept. 20, 2018 | $154.95 (street) | St. Nick's Knives dealer Exclusive. Black hardware. Sold out in 42 minutes. | ~700 | Full Flat | Black Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C223CF52100PS | Black CF | PS | 52100 | Oct. 2018 | $309.95 (2018) | H.L. Dalis distributor Exclusive | Limited | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C223GPCW | Smooth black G-10 | PE | Cru-Wear | Oct. 2018 | $136.47 (street), $209.95 (MSRP) | Knife Center dealer Exclusive | 600 | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C223GPOR | Orange G-10 | PE | Satin CTS-XHP | Nov. 16, 2018 @ 10AM MST | $129.97 (street), $199.95 (MSRP) | Cutlery Shoppe dealer Exclusive. Limit of two per customer (two satin, two DLC, or one of each). They had originally planned for a stonewashed finish on the blade, but ended up with satin. Sold out in about day and a half. | Limited | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C223GPORBK | Orange G-10 | PE | Black DLC CTS-XHP | Nov. 16, 2018 @ 10AM MST | $149.97 (street), $229.95 (MSRP) | Cutlery Shoppe dealer Exclusive. Limit of two per customer (two satin, two DLC, or one of each). Sold out in about a day. | Limited | Full Flat | Black Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C223GPBNBK | Earth Brown G-10 | PE | Black DLC coated CPM-S35VN | Apr. 2019 | $229.98 (2019) | Moteng distributor Exclusive. Black hardware (pivot, screws, lanyard tube), satin liners. | Limited | Full Flat | Black Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C223PBK | Black FRN | PE | CTS-BD1N | Apr. 2019- | $140.00 (2019) | Lightweight version. No metal liners. | Regular production | Full Flat | Chrome deep carry Wire | LH/RH, TU | Main |
C223SBK | Black FRN | SE | CTS-BD1N | Apr. 2019- | $140.00 (2019) | Lightweight version. No metal liners. | Regular production | Full Flat | Chrome deep carry Wire | LH/RH, TU | Main |
C223GPRD | Red G-10 | PE | M390 | Aug. 2019 | $213.00 (MSRP, 2019). $149.10 (Street, 2019) | DLT Trading Exclusive. | Limited | Full Flat | Black Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant
|
C223PRD | Red FRN | PE | Satin M390 | Oct. 29, 2019 @ 11AM CST | $129.95 (street), $200.00 (MSRP) | DLT Trading dealer Exclusive. Lightweight version. No metal liners. Limit 2 per customer. | Limited | Full Flat | Chrome silver deep carry Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C223GPRGR | Ranger Green G-10 | PE | K390 | Nov. 1, 2019 @ 1pm PST | $174.95 (street), $224.95 (MSRP) | Bento Box Shop dealer Exclusive. "Ranger Green" seems to be the same color as the classic "Foliage Green" used on previous Spyderco models. | Limited | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C223PBBK | Black FRN | PE | Black DLC coated CTS-BD1N | Dec. 2019- | $160.00 (2019) | Lightweight version. No metal liners. Black screws. Uncoated satin lock bar. | Regular production | Full Flat | Black deep carry Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C223SBBK | Black FRN | SE | Black DLC coated CTS-BD1N | Feb. 2020- | $160.00 (2020) | Lightweight version. No metal liners. Black screws. Uncoated satin lock bar. | Regular production | Full Flat | Black deep carry Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant
|
C223GPOROD | Orange and olive drab green G-10 | PE | Satin CPM REX 45 | Mar. 15, 2020 @ 12pm MDT | $147.00 (street), $210.00 (MSRP) | Cutlery Shoppe dealer Exclusive. Limited to 2 per household. Orange scale front side, olive drab green back side scale. The first of Cutlery Shoppe's "dual color" exclusive variants. Sold out in a few hours. | 600 | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C223PBORE | Burnt-orange FRN | PE | CPM REX 45 | Mar. 2020 | $175.00 (2020) | Sprintrun. Lightweight version. No metal liners. | 1200 | Full Flat | Silver deep carry Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C223GPORBL | Orange and blue G-10 | PE | Satin CPM REX 45 | Mar. 29, 2020 | $147.00 (street), $210.00 (MSRP) | Cutlery Shoppe dealer Exclusive. Limited to 2 per household. Orange scale front side, blue back side scale. The second of Cutlery Shoppe's "dual color" exclusive variants. | 600 | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C223GPGR | Forest Green G-10 | PE | CTS-204P | Apr. 2020 | $149.95 (Street), $205.00 (MSRP) | KnifeWorks dealer Exclusive. 150 were made available for preorder 4/1, but sold out in under 4 hours. The remainder went on sale 4/21 @ 8am CST and sold out in 4 minutes. Limit 5. A second run was offered in March 2022. | Limited | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C223PCBL | Cobalt blue FRN | PE | CPM SPY27 | 2020 - | $200.00 (2020) | Lightweight version. No metal liners. Uses new steel designed specifically for Spyderco. | Regular production | Full Flat | Silver deep carry Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C223GPFGR | Forest Green "diamond arc pattern" G-10 | PE | CPM S45VN | Jul. 2020 | $214.00 (2020) | Sprintrun | Limited | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant
|
C223GPRBK | Purple G-10 | PE | Black DLC coated Cru-Wear | Nov. 2020 | $268.00 (MSRP, 2020), $164.50 (Street, 2020) | DLT Trading dealer Exclusive. The C223GPRBK also features all-black hardware (liners, screws etc.), except for the lock bar. A second run became available in March 2023. | Limited | Full Flat | Black Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C223PNBL | Stone Blue FRN | PE | CPM-20CV | Mar. 2021 | $129.00 (Street) | Lightweight version. KnifeJoy dealer Exclusive | Limited | Full Flat | Silver deep carry Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C223GNGRBK | Neon green G-10 | PE | Black DLC coated CPM-20CV | April 2021 | $230.00 (MSRP, 2020), $169.95 (Street, 2020) | KnifeJoy dealer Exclusive. The C223GNGRBK also features all-black hardware (liners, screws etc.), except for the lock bar. | Limited | Full Flat | Black Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C223PTBL | Teal FRN | PE | CPM-S90V | 2021 | $140.00 (Street), $200.00 (MSRP) | Lightweight version. MGE Wholesale distributor Exclusive | Limited | Full Flat | Silver deep carry Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C223GRM4 | Mint green FRN | PE | CPM-M4 | June 2021 | $175.00 (MSRP, 2021), $122.50 (Street, 2021) | Lightweight version. Blade HQ dealer Exclusive. | Limited | Full Flat | Silver deep carry Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C223GPCWBK | Smooth black G-10 | PE | Black DLC coated Cru-Wear | Aug. 2021 | $235.00 (MSRP, 2021), $164.50 (Street, 2021) | Knifecenter dealer Exclusive. | Limited | Full Flat | Black Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C223PWH | White FRN | PE | CPM REX 45 | Sep. 2021 | $122.50 (Street), $175.00 (MSRP) | Lightweight version. GP Knives dealer Exclusive | Limited | Full Flat | Silver deep carry Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant
|
C223PWHBK | White FRN | PE | Black DLC coated CPM REX 45 | Nov. 2021 | $136.50 (Street), $195.00 (MSRP) | Lightweight version. GP Knives dealer Exclusive | Limited | Full Flat | Black deep carry Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C223GPPN | Pink G-10 | PE | CPM S45VN | 2021 | $156.95 (Street) | KnifeJoy dealer Exclusive | Limited | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C223PRDBK | Red FRN | PE | Black DLC coated CPM-4V | Feb. 2022 | $135.00 (Street) | St. Nick's dealer Exclusive | ~1600 | Full Flat | Black deep carry Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C223POR | Orange FRN | PE | CTS-XHP | March 2022 | $119.00 (Street) | Cutlery Shoppe dealer Exclusive | ~1000 | Full Flat | deep carry Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C223PORBK | Orange FRN | PE | Black DLC coated CTS-XHP | Jul. 2022 | $135.00 (Street) | Cutlery Shoppe dealer Exclusive, features all black hardware (liners, screws) | Limited | Full Flat | black deep carry Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C223MCFLMXP | Marbled Carbon fiber | PE | Elmax | August 2022 | $219.95 (Street), $299.95 (MSRP) | Fradon Lock Company dealer Exclusive | ~600 | Full Flat | Chrome hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C223GPTNBK | Tan G-10 | PE | Black DLC coated CPM-20CV | November 1, 2022 @ 9AM PST | $151.90 (street) | DLT Trading dealer Exclusive. All black hardware (screws, pivot, liner). | Limited | Full Flat | Black Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C223GPNGR | Neon green G-10 | PE | CPM-20CV | Oct. 2022 | $159.99 (2022, Street) | KnifeJoy dealer Exclusive | Limited | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant
|
C223GPCBBK | Coyote Brown G-10 | PE | Black DLC-coated CPM-10V | June 2023 | $189.95 (street, 2023) | River's Edge Cutlery dealer Exclusive | Limited | Full Flat | Black Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant
|
C223GPCB | Coyote Brown G-10 | PE | CPM-10V | July 2023 | River's Edge Cutlery dealer Exclusive | Limited | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant
| |
C223KBPI | Black FRN | PE | CTS-BD1N | Sep. 2023 | $183.00 (2023, MSRP), $112.00 (2023, street) | KBPI edition, a radio station from Denver, Colorado, USA. Features engraving on the presentation side of the blade with the KBPI logo. | Limited | Full Flat | Silver Wire | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C223GCBL | Cobalt blue G-10 | PE | CPM SPY27 | 2023 - | $285.00 | CPM SPY27 is developed by Spyderco and Crucible Industries, and is exclusive to Spyderco. The C223GCBL was announced in 2023 and delivery started in 2024. | Regular production | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C223PN | Pink FRN | PE | CTS-BD1N | 2023 - | $188.00 | Spyderco donates a portion of the sales of all pink-handled knives to the organization [Living Beyond Breast Cancer]. | Regular production | Full Flat | Silver deep carry Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C223PN | Pink FRN | PE | Black DLC-coated CTS-BD1N | 2023 - | $210.00 | Spyderco donates a portion of the sales of all pink-handled knives to the organization [Living Beyond Breast Cancer]. | Regular production | Full Flat | Black deep carry Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C223MCW | Brown canvas Micarta | PE | Cru-Wear | 2023 - | $275.00 (2023) | Regular production | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant | |
C223YL | Yellow FRN | PE | CPM MagnaCut | 2023 - | $225.00 (2023) | The C223YL is part of Spyderco Salt series of knives. | Regular production | Full Flat | Black Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C223PFGRCWBK | Deep forest green FRN | PE | Black DLC-coated Cru-Wear | Dec. 2023 - | $235.00 (MSRP, 2023), $164.50 (Street, 2023) | The Knifejoker dealer Exclusive | Regular production | Full Flat | Black Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C223PODFDE | Olive Drab FRN | PE | Flat dark earth PVD-coated CTS-204P | July 2024 | $169.95 (Street, 2024) | River's Edge Cutlery dealer Exclusive. | Limited | Full Flat | Black Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C223GMCBK | Black G-10 | PE | CPM MagnaCut | 2024 - | $275.00 (2024) | The C223GMCBK is part of Spyderco Salt series of knives. | Regular production | Full Flat | Black Hourglass | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C223GBN15V | Brown G-10 | PE | CPM 15V | 2024 - | $287.50 (2024) | Sprint Run | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TU | Variant
| |
C223BN15V | Brown FRN | PE | CPM 15V | 2024 - | $205.00 (2024) | Sprint Run | Full Flat | Silver Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
Most collectible variation
Questions regarding collecting the C223
Some interesting questions we are looking for an answer to:
Questions with an answer: Q: Is the Para 3 the same as a Paramilitary 3? A: No. While the C81 Paramilitary is sometimes shortened to "Para" by fans online, the C81 Paramilitary and the C223 Para 3 are two different models. To add to the confusion, there was a batch of C223's with the incorrect label of "Paramilitary 3" on the boxes, but this was an error. The "3" in Para 3 refers to the blade length and is part of the model name, so the "3" does not signify its generational status. As to what a second generation Para 3 would be called, we can't say. But if a third generation Paramilitary comes out (Paramilitary 3), the "Para" shorthand for the C81 will have to be dropped, as "Para 3" is already taken.
Technical information
Measurements (mm and grams) of the C223 Para 3:
Variation | Length overall | Length closed | Length blade | Length edge | Hole Ø | Blade thickness | Weight |
C223G | 184mm | 109mm | 75mm | 67mm | 14mm | 3.8mm | 96g |
C223 FRN | 183mm | 109mm | 74mm | 66mm | 14mm | 3.7mm | 68g |
Measurements (inches and ounces) of the C223 Para 3:
Variation | Length overall | Length closed | Length blade | Length edge | Hole Ø | Blade thickness | Weight |
C223G | 7.24" | 4.29" | 2.95" | 2.62" | 0.55" | 0.145" | 3.4oz |
C223 FRN | 7.21" | 4.29" | 2.92" | 2.58" | 0.55" | 0.145" | 2.4oz |
References