← Comparisons
Head to head

Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight vs Benchmade Mini Griptilian 556

Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight runs a 2.92clip 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 · ~0.68″ tall (derived)
  • Benchmade Mini Griptilian 556 · Drop Point
    2.91″ blade · 0.115″ spine · 2.83 oz · ~0.71″ tall (derived)
Spine thickness, same scale
0.145
0.115
Length and spine thickness drawn to true scale from published specs. Profile is the shape family's outline, not a scan of this model.
SpecSpydercoSpyderco Para 3 LightweightBenchmadeBenchmade Mini Griptilian 556
Blade length2.92″2.91″
Spine thickness0.145″0.115″
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 bandMidPremium

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.