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Head to head

Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight vs Benchmade Mini Griptilian 556

Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight runs a 2.92″ clip point blade in CTS-BD1N; Benchmade Mini Griptilian 556 runs 2.91″ of drop point in CPM-S30V. The Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight is the lighter of the two by 0.43 oz.

01234567 in
  • Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight · Clip Point
    2.92″ blade · 0.145″ spine · 2.4 oz · ~1.35″ tall
  • Benchmade Mini Griptilian 556 · Drop Point
    2.91″ blade · 0.1″ spine · 2.83 oz · ~0.94″ tall
Spine thickness, same scale
0.145″
0.1″
Length and spine thickness drawn to true scale from published specs. Outline traced from the maker's side-profile photo.
SpecSpydercoSpyderco Para 3 LightweightCheck priceBenchmadeBenchmade Mini Griptilian 556Check price
Blade length2.92″2.91″
Spine thickness0.145″0.1″
Overall length7.21″6.78″
Closed length4.29″3.87″
Weight2.4 oz2.83 oz
Blade shapeClip PointDrop Point
SteelCTS-BD1NCPM-S30V
GrindFull FlatFull Flat
LockCompressionAXIS
Handle materialFRNNoryl GTX
Country of originUSAUSA
Price bandPremiumPremium

Tinted rows are where these two differ.

The steel difference

CTS-BD1N

Nitrogen-enriched BD1. Sharpens very easily and resists rust well — a sensible steel for a knife you actually use hard.

CPM-S30V

The long-time American benchmark. Holds an edge far longer than 420HC and still sharpens on ordinary stones. Chippy if you pry with it.