EDC Review: Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight

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The Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight is a slim-downed version of the original, often contentious, Spyderco Para 3. Regardless, both versions of the Para 3 come from the same pedigree, the tremendously popular Spyderco Para Military 2.  Let’s para-chute right into the EDC review of the Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight.

Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight – Blade

Much like the PM2, the Para 3 LW comes with a super slice-y leaf-shaped blade that is undeniably Spyderco. I guess it’s technically a clip point, but Spyderco has been developing and refining this particular blade shape for quite some time. There are no other blades quite like it and it’s all thanks to the large trademarked “Spyderco hole”.

Carpenter CTS-BD1N Steel

The blade steel is made from CTS-BD1N. It’s an American steel made by Carpenter Technology. According to Carpenter, CTS-BD1N is a “nitrogen-bearing, high-carbon chromium martensitic steel.” That’s a mouthful of technical jargon.

In real-life use, CTS-BD1N is no super steel but has adequate edge retention. What it lacks in edge retention is remedied by how easy CTS-BD1N is to sharpen. The steel responds well to the Work Sharp Precision Adjust sharpener as well as routine passes on a leather strop.

Spyderco Leaf-Shaped Blade

The blade stock is surprisingly thick for a knife this size. Since the blade is leaf-shaped, Spyderco has a lot of room to grind the thick stock to a thin edge. The combination of the thin edge and full flat grind makes the Para 3 LW an incredibly slice-y knife. However, the blade shape also has its downsides.

First and foremost, it is a tall blade. When fully closed, the Para 3 LW measures around 1 5/8” (41mm) at the widest point. That’s a lot of pocket real estate for what Spyderco dubs as an ultra-compact knife. Secondly, the tip is thin. Although good for piercing, I wouldn’t use the Para 3 LW for any hard use outdoor tasks. My Para 3 LW has a minuscule chip at the tip. I haven’t done anything but gather vegetables from the garden, cut cardboard boxes, and do a bit of food prep. It’s not a deal-breaker and I can easily remove the chip with 10 minutes on a sharpener.

Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight – Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon (FRN) Scales

When I was impulse buying knives, I wasn’t sure if I would like the fiberglass reinforced nylon (FRN) scales on the Para 3 LW. Regardless, I hit that buy button and within several days it was in my mailbox. Now that I have the knife in hand, I actually quite like the FRN material. Sure, it feels like plastic and has that hollow plastic sound when you tap the scales. But for injection-molded pieces of plastic, it is really well done.

Spyderco did a great job rounding the edges where it matters. Basically, all of the outer edges are rounded and no rounding on the inside edges. This makes for a comfortable knife and I did not develop any hot spots during use. You’d also think that plastic handles would be slippery, but it’s surprisingly grippy. This is all thanks to the bi-directional texture molded right into the scales.

Is that a spider web?

Come to think of it, the pattern of the FRN texture looks like a spider web spun by the Spyderco logo. In the web of grippy texture, the fantastic wire pocket clip rests right on top of the smooth logo. I would presume this aids in easier pocket removal and helps prevent premature pocket shredding. Unless you’re a hipster, nobody likes shredded pockets. This is just good design all around if you ask me.

Overall, the handle geometry and ergonomics feel comfortable. For my large size hands, I can wrap all four fingers around the handle. The Para 3 LW also includes a finger choil for the times you need to choke up on the blade and get to serious business.

Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight – Compression Lock

I’m not going to beat around the bush when it comes to the compression lock. It is arguably the best lock design on the market. It’ll be difficult for me to review any compression lock equipped Spyderco and not list the lock design in the pros column. 

For those unfamiliar, the compression lock may look like a spine-side liner lock, but the designs are worlds apart. In a liner lock, think of the lock as a doorstop and the blade tang as a door. Liner locks utilize a spring bar that wedges itself on the tang of the blade. Thus, keeping the blade in the open position. Liner locks can fail if there is extreme pressure on the spine or there is torquing of the blade. Much like I can force a door open that’s held in place by a doorstop.

Anatomy of the Compression Lock

The compression lock also utilizes a spring bar. However, instead of the doorstop/door analogy, the compression lock is more like jamming a wrench into gears. On the end of the spring bar, there is a metal protrusion. This is what Spyderco calls the compression insert. When the blade locks into place, the compression insert wedges itself laterally between the anvil pin (stop pin) and a ramp on the blade tang (compression surface).

Since the anvil pin and compression surface pinch the lock in place, this makes for a very strong lock. Even when you’re exerting extreme force on the spine, the lock (in theory) gets even stronger. You would either have to shear the compression insert or the anvil pin for the lock to fail, which is highly unlikely. Even though the Para 3 LW has no liners, Spyderco engineers a standalone spring bar insert and incorporates the compression lock. Sorry, I nerded out on the design of the compression lock.

Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight – Spydie Hole for the Win

The Para 3 LW uses the signature Spyderco hole or spydie hole for short. The 1/2″ (13mm) spydie hole is so simple, but one of the most versatile deployment designs. Even though you can use your thumb, I find that it’s best to deploy using the spydie flick technique. For day-to-day use, any knife that allows me to effortlessly spydie flick is by far my favorite.

Although I wouldn’t consider myself old, I also didn’t grow up during the hype of fidget toys. Regardless, EDC items are my fidget “toys” and in large part, it’s the knife I’m carrying. With the combination of compression lock and spydie hole, the Para 3 LW makes me a legitimate fidget addict. One time around midnight, I received a text from my wife that read, “What’s that clicking sound? Can you stop? I’m trying to sleep.” Congratulations Para 3 LW, you officially win the award for “The Most Annoying Knife to My Wife.” Needless to say, but the Para 3 LW has a high fidget factor. 

Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight – Fit, Finish, and Disassembly

Everything about the Para 3 LW is well made. That’s not exactly surprising, as I’ve never had a Spyderco that wasn’t. The blade comes laser sharp and the grinds are even. The jimping on the thumb ramp and finger choil is well implemented. They are aggressive enough to provide extra grip while not so aggressive to tear up your fingers. As I mentioned before, the FRN scales are comfortable and grippy. 

I love the unobtrusive deep-carry wire pocket clip. Good job Spyderco. Again, not surprising considering Spyderco did invent the pocket knife clip. There is no option to carry tip-down, but the clip can be reversed for lefties or righties. 

For disassembly, you’ll need three different Torx sizes. T10 for the pivot screws. T8 for the clip and a screw on the show side near the lanyard hole. Finally, T6 for the anvil pin screws. Taking a look at the inside, we can surmise how the Para 3 LW gets its “lightweight” moniker. There are no liners and in fact, the only metal pieces within the scales are the anvil pin, spring bar insert, and the single phosphor bronze washer.

While some of you may scoff at the idea of having only one washer, I haven’t had any issues with deployment. Spydie flicking the blade is lightning fast and the blade drop shuts with the best of them. 

Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight – Final Thoughts

The Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight has quickly become one of my favorite EDC knives. Even though it carries a little wide in the pocket, at 2.4oz, I often forget it’s there. While I do wish CTS-BD1N had better edge retention, it performs well, sharpens easily, and let’s just say I’m not surprised by the steel choice. What I have is the first iteration of the Para 3 LW. Knowing Spyderco, there will be many sprint and exclusive runs of this knife in better steel. In fact, there are already versions in REX 45, CPM SPY27, and M390.

Should you get the Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight? Whether you are new to knives or a knife veteran, the Para 3 LW is a great knife to add to the rotation. It’s currently my #1 recommendation for an affordable midsize Spyderco. You get all the key features of the venerable Spyderco Para Military 2 in a compact, lightweight package. The compression lock is always a plus. And with a closed length of 4.29 inches, it’s carry-friendly and the perfect knife for day-to-day use.

Technical Specifications

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Tools Mentioned in Article (My Knife Maintenance Kit)

Work Sharp Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener with Tri-Abrasives (Non-ELITE)

Wiha Tools Micro Bit Set

Beaver Craft Leather Paddle Strop