Head to head

Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight vs Benchmade Mini Osborne 945

Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight runs a 2.92″ clip point blade in CTS-BD1N; Benchmade Mini Osborne 945 runs 2.92″ of reverse tanto in CPM-S30V. The Benchmade Mini Osborne 945 is the lighter of the two by 0.40 oz.

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Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight · Clip Point
2.92″ blade · 0.145″ spine · 2.4 oz · ~0.68″ tall (derived)
Benchmade Mini Osborne 945 · Reverse Tanto
2.92″ blade · 0.104″ spine · 2 oz · ~0.68″ tall (derived)

Spine thickness, same scale

0.145″

0.104″

Length and spine thickness drawn to true scale from published specs. Profile is the shape family's outline, not a scan of this model.

Spec	SpydercoSpyderco Para 3 Lightweight	BenchmadeBenchmade Mini Osborne 945
Blade length	2.92″	2.92″
Spine thickness	0.145″	0.104″
Overall length	7.21″	6.76″
Closed length	4.29″	3.84″
Weight	2.4 oz	2 oz
Blade shape	Clip Point	Reverse Tanto
Steel	CTS-BD1N	CPM-S30V
Grind	Full Flat	Flat
Lock	Compression	AXIS
Handle material	FRN	Aluminum
Country of origin	USA	USA
Price band	Mid	Premium

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.