The Spyderco Para 3 knife, which I posted about here, is an EDC knife I can highly recommend, as it has a decent blade and is reasonably sized.
The Para 3 is priced over $100, and while that’s appropriate for what you get, such pricing will of course limit its appeal and affordability.
Spyderco has recently announced a new lower-priced version of the Para 3, called the Para 3 Lightweight (model C223PBK).
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There are 3 main differences between the new Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight knife and the previous base-level-priced Para 3.
First, and perhaps most important, the Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight is launching with a street price of $91, which is $42 less expensive than the standard G-10 model. As for the knife itself, the handle scale material and blade steel are different, and there is indication that the locking mechanism is slightly different as well.
The Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight features FRN (fiberglass reinforced nylon) handle scales, and a streamlined version of Spyderco’s Compression Lock mechanism. At this time, there is no clarification of how the locking mechanism might differ compared to that of the G-1o-handled Para 3 knives, but I would assume it’s comparable in terms of function and strength.
Spyderco says that this black FRN-handled Para 3 is almost 30% lighter than the G-10-handled versions, which will surely give it a different feel.
It will feature a CTS BD1N blade with full-flat grind. CTS BD1N is described as a nitrogen-enriched high-carbon chromium steel that offers a balance between high hardness, edge retention, and corrosion resistance.
For Enthusiasts: CarTech CTS BD1N Alloy Technical Datasheet (PDF)
Like the other Para 3 knife versions, the Para 3 Lightweight is made in the USA.
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- 2.92″ blade length
- 0.145″ blade thickness
- FRN handle
- 7.21″ overall length
- 4.29″ closed length
- 2.4 oz (68g) weight
- Compression lock
- Ambidextrous wire pocket clip for tip-up carry
Street Price: $125
A serrated version (C223SBK) will also be available. Serrated folding knives are useful for cutting rope and other fibrous materials.
First Thoughts
I am not familiar with CTS BD1N, but from online readings, it’s not considered a premium blade steel. That’s an observation, not a criticism on my part. At the least, that usually means that edge retention won’t be as long-lasting as more expensive knives that feature premium-steel blades.
I own several Spyderco knives with FRN handle scales, and it’s a good material. The texture feels great and grippy, and FRN knives are also typically light in weight. The downside is that, while FRN is a strong and tough material, it can feel like cheap plastic.
Spyderco FRN knives are highly functional and comfortable to use, and I’m not the only one who holds this opinion.
The Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight will bring many of the benefits of the Para 3 size, style, and design to users who aren’t ready or able to spend more on the G10 version.
Looking online, CTS BD1N blade steel seems to be commonly found in mid-priced kitchen knives, and so it’ll take some time before its pocket knife performance is tested and compared on enthusiast forums.
What I like about Spyderco is that their more popular knives are available with different combinations of handle materials and blade steels. The Para 3 Lightweight is their most affordable Para 3, and there are pricier options for those with different handle preferences or performance needs.
Ben
Meh, just get a Delica
William
It’s just a bit more than the delica, I think it’s worth it.
Ben
IMO, I’d rather have VG10 steel over CTS BD1N. I do like the deep carry pocket clip.
Stuart
There’s also the Native 5 Lightweight, which is a little pricier than the Para 3 Lightweight.
Rich
The Delica was once a great knife at a great price, but considering all of the other offerings from Spyderco now, the Delica is most definitely not worth the $70+ price tag anymore.
Truth
Spyder are the best knives for edc
Good quality at a fair but premium price
I grab my spyder necklace every damn day and my 7” police closer when I ain’t wearing shorts
All damn day
Corey
Damn, man lol
Nils
Got a Benchmade bugout after debating between Spyderco Para 2 and Griptilian.
I gotta say the thumb lock is perfect, I can’t imagine using any other kind of lock now. (Just hope the omega spring holds up).
Will
Benchmade will repair the Griptillian or you could easily replace them so not a big deal.
Will
Sorry bugout.
Paul
What is going to be different about the compression lock on this knife relative to earlier pm3s?
Stuart
I am not sure. Their product pages say it’s streamlined and the knife is linerless with steel insert.
A stainless steel lock bar inset into the handle’s interior forms the foundation of its sturdy lock mechanism, while keeping the overall weight to an absolute minimum.
The other Para 3 knives have steel liners on both sides. So… linerless and streamlined could mean different internal structuring.
John Shirley
BD1 has been used on pocket knives for years, so its performance is well known. It is highly rust resistant, doesn’t hold an edge as long as VG-10, but resharpens easily and quickly.
I used a Manix 2 LW with BD1 in Afghanistan in 2012. Loved it.
William
I think this is a different steel than BD1 it’s BD1N
Will
The nitrogen actually will help improve stain resistance, otherwise the only other difference is the lack of .10% of vanadium. It’s a mid level steel with carbon and chromium content similar to 440b.
MichaelHammer
According to SHOT show interviews with Spyderco, it seems they are going to go all in with this steel, releasing a lot of new knives featuring it. Also notable is their new schedule of releases; fewer knives quarterly with faster production times rather than all at once annually with unknown production times. Should prove to be a fun year for Spyderco fans.
Nascar
Does it have SS liners.
Stuart
I can’t tell until the knife is released and I have one in-hand. Spyderco says it’s linerless but with a stainless steel lock bar inset into the handle’s interior. A G-10 Para 3 is described differently, as having stainless steel liners. So, based on Spyderco’s descriptions, the internal framing is almost definitely different.
Koko The Talking Ape
I like fiber-reinforced nylon (FRN) as a handle material. Light, durable, grippy, cheap. It does become marred or gouged more easily than G10, but that doesn’t affect its function. Good for a knife you will actually use.
I do wonder about the lack of liners. Even skeletonized liners (i.e., drilled to lighten them) add rigidity. I had an old Buck that wouldn’t close completely if the handle were squeezed the wrong way. The FRN handles flexed just a hair too much.
John R. Shirley
If I had only one folding knife, I would choose a Spyderco LW Manix 2. FRCP, no metal liners.
Rigid enough, lightweight, and strong. Spyderco has been making folding knives for a long time, and pioneered the one-handed knife. They know what they’re doing.
garrett
I like the lines and ergo’s of the Native 5 much better, and now with the Salt version out, it stays clipped to my B.C.
Josh
I have a couple Yaxell kitchen knives in BD1N. It’s nice. Easy to sharpen, pretty comparable to a higher end VG-10 kitchen knife. Edge retention is excellent, sharpening is very very easy. I think it’ll make a very nice pocket knife steel.
Joe framer
Appreciate the made in the USA being mentioned….
Rich
The only people who say the Para 3 is a good knife are people who can’t afford a Para Military 2 or who haven’t tried any of Spyderco’s other premium under 3” knives. The lanyard hole and clip mount placement are just atrocious and make it carry WAY larger than it should. Looks like Spyderco knows this as the Para 3 LW directly addresses both of those issue. Maybe this one will be an ok knife to carry instead of the edc abomination the Para 3 currently is.
Steve
I own a Paramilitary 2, Military, native 5, manix 2, chaparral, delica, endura, spydiechef, mantra , Caribbean….
I own or have owned them in multiple sprints as well..
Para 3 is a great EDC knife. Period.
Rich
Steve, I have those (minus the caribbean) in addition to the Lil Native, Dragonfly, Manbug, original Delica, Native 1, Chaparral Titanium, and a couple others that I can’t think of at the moment. The Para 3 is an abomination of an EDC, period.
Will
Well the pm2 is bigger so price isn’t the only deciding factor
Rich
Will, I agree, which is why I said all 3” and smaller Spyderco knives. They’re nearly all better than the Para 3, IMO.
RCWARD
Sounds Like a 50 dollar knife selling for 92 because of the name. No thanks
Rich
That’s definitely the way of the Spyderco, especially on a lot of their sub-$150 models. There’s so few actually worth their asking price at that level.
William
Certainly other brands offer better value, but not many companies offer the ergonomics and design that Spyderco provides.
Rich
Ergos are entirely subjective, though, and to say they’re consistent within an entire brand makes no sense. Some Spydercos fit my hand great. Some don’t fit at all. And the same can be said for any brand, so I don’t think there’s an argument to be made that Spyderco somehow does it better than others. Every model within a brand is different.
John Shirley
Eh. There will be some consistency across a brand. Many Emersons, for instance, have poor ergos, while most Benchmades and Spydercos have good ones.
William
I’m not really sure what is said would make you think that I think every mode from Spyderco has perfect ergonomics more every person. Overall, Spyderco has focused on ergonomics as an overall brand philosophy for many years, in my opinion more than any other brand.
Obviously each model is different, that’s part of the reason they have a large catalog. No one size fits all.
Spyderco has gotten pretty expensive in recent years…
928'er
It’s purely personal taste, but to me, the “thumbhole” blade design is just plain ugly.
I’m sure Spyderco makes fine knives, but I don’t buy ugly…
Rich
It’s a brand thing at this point. I thought the same thing as well for a while until I tried them out. They are very good. I still prefer a thumb stud at this point, but the Spyderco hole works nearly as well, even though I do agree with you and find them less attractive.
928er
Sal Glesser, inducting Al Mar into the Blade Magazine Hall of Fame, said Al Mar told him the same thing:
“I showed him drawings of my knife design. I asked if we could use his front lock geometry for [it]. He looked at the drawings, looked at me, looked at the drawings again and he said, ‘Sal, it’s butt ugly,’” Glesser remarked to good-natured chuckles from an attentive banquet audience. “‘It’ll never sell, but if you want, I’ll help you produce it.’”
Stuart
Personally, I like thumb holes over studs, depending on the brand.
Larry
I purchased a Kershaw Dividend, Model 1812 with a M390 blade a couple of months ago for $72.00. I would be hard to convince to spend $20 more for a knife with a lower quality blade. Just saying
Stuart
I like the Dividend, reviewed here: https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/kershaw-dividend-edc-knife-review-usa-made/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Not everyone likes assisted-opening folders for EDC.
Will
I agree with not liking assisted opening knives. I have the Cryo and never carry it even though I love the Hinderer design.
Mike E
This knife feels very light in your hands. The blade sharpens easily. I can’t say how long it holds the edge.
The FRN handles are formed through injection mold. This has one pin to block the blade’s travel as it locks in position, two for the pivot and a third for holding the wire pocket clip.
The final Torq screw screws into the other side of the FRN handle. This would make it more challenging to replace the handle with custom scales. Not impossible – just more difficult.
The compression lock sits only on one side of the knife. The other side has no metal material and plays no role in locking the blade in place.
It is a deep carry pocket clip with maybe 1/8-inch of the handle visible from your pocket. Not bad.
I am in the process of painting my pocket clip a flat black. I think it works better for this knife. I plan to do the same with all of the screw heads.
Overall, it’s a very nice knife, as long as you understand what you’re buying.
Stuart
Thank you for sharing that!
I bought one for review purposes, and find myself conflicted on what to think. It’s definitely a less expensive knife than the Para 3, but I like that idea of it offering a similar user experience but at a lower cost, and while still being made in the USA. It’s good to have options, and as you said, it’s a good choice as long as you know what you’re getting.