C223 Para 3
The C223 Para 3 is a smaller version of the extremely popular Paramilitary 2.
Appearance in catalogs
The C223 Para 3 appeared in the following catalogs:
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 | Not yet released | 199.95$ (2017) | regular production | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant | |
| C223GPBK | Black textured G-10 | PE | Black CPM-S30V | Not yet released | 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 | $155.95 (street), $207.95 (MSRP) | Bento Box Shop dealer exclusive | Limited | 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 |
| C223GPBN | Earth brown G-10 | PE | CPM-S35VN | Not yet released | $229.95 (2017) | Moteng distributor exclusive | 1200 | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
| C223CF52100P | Black CF | PE | 52100 | Not yet released | $309.95 (2017) | sprintrun? exclusive? | Limited | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
| C81GPBORE2 | Burnt orange G-10 | PE | CPM REX 45 | Not yet released | $214.95 (2018) | Sprintrun | Limited | Full Flat | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
Most collectible variation
Questions regarding collecting the C223
Some interesting questions we are looking for an answer to:
Questions with an answer:
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 |
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 |
References
