Hey everyone, David C. Andersen here coming at you from the KnifeCenter and
today we're gonna be looking at two kings of the ultra-light pocket knife scene.
It's the Benchmade Bugout versus the Spyderco Para 3 lightweight. Let's
find out where they stand and you get to pick the winner, let's go. Now despite the
difference in price we can see these two knives being cross shopped very easily
as they sport some of the same elements to appeal to folks looking for
high-performance cutting in a package that won't weigh you down. Both feature
slim synthetic handles the Para 3 lightweight is formed with Spyderco's
famous bi-directional FRN texturing. This pattern provides plenty of traction in
the wet or when doing sweaty work and it helps to keep your hands secure on the
knife. The Grivory handles on the bugout are even slimmer. 0.4 inches compared
to 0.45 on the Spyderco, which means that it'll live in your pocket even
easier. It does have a diamond checkered pattern on each side. It gives you some
texture but it's not quite as much as on the Spyderco. There's just enough
length for a four finger grip on this knife at least as far as my hands are
concerned but if I were putting either of these through heavy work I'd prefer
the handle on the Para 3. The increase in thickness is slight but
noticeable, but even more than that the extra length that handle affords you
thanks to the full size finger choil allows for a better purchase overall.
Black is the only color available right now with the Para 3 whereas the
Bugout gives you options for blue or the Ranger Green shown here. The blades
on these two knives follow the precedent set by their handles. the Bugouts is a
little bit thinner it's not quite three thirty-seconds of an inch thick compared
to being just over 1/8 inch thick on the Para 3. Both will slice very well
though thanks to the full flat grind on the Para 3 and the almost full
flat on the bugout. Ultimately you'll be able to cut a little bit longer with the
blade on the Bugout though. It's made from s30v steel available with a satin
blade or the smoke gray chromium nitride coated finish and it has more sharpened
edge than the Para 3 as well. That blade on the Para 3 only features
about two and a half inches of cutting edge although it honestly feels like
more than that when you're using it. Likely due to that full grip and the
broad profile. The CTS-BD1N steel on the Para 3 won't hold an edge
as long as the s30v on the Bugout but remember it's noticeably cheaper to buy
this. The only other thing to note about the blades is that Bugout
is available with a partially serrated edge if your needs warranted, but for EDC
and ease of sharpening we much prefer these plain edge versions.
Speaking of EDC these blades are both versatile enough for a wide range of
uses combining a straight edge and a little bit of belly that's not too
aggressive. They're perfect for general utility another nice thing that ties
these two knives together is the parody of their locking mechanisms. Both the
Compression Lock on the Para three and the Axis-lock on the bugout allow
you to open and close the blade safely without moving your fingers into the
path of the blade, keeping your digits safe. They both also
enable you to flick the blade open and closed very easily just by holding the
lock back and twisting your wrist just so. If you prefer to open your blade more
deliberately the Bugout comes with an easy pair of dual thumb studs. Sports a
nice anodized gold color that really looks good against the gray of the blade
and the Para 3 opens just as easily. With a wide thumb hole that works
well and left or right-handed use. One thing to note, if you are left-handed the
Axis-lock will likely be easier to operate in southpaw configuration thanks
to that lock bar that goes all the way through the handles and is accessible
from either side. One last thing is that both of these knives feature a deep
carry pocket clip the para 3 features Spyderco's wire clip and the Bugout
features I fold it over clip with a gray finish to match the blade that won't
reflect like a shiny black or metallic finish can. Both of these options are
subtle and will be unobtrusive in use they don't really call attention to
themselves which is great for discretion and urban environments. For lightweight
knives with a lot of capability the Benchmade Bugout and the Spyderco
Para 3 lightweight get a lot of things right. Both would make a phenomenal ultralight
EDC but picking a winner is tough you go for the more affordable Spyderco or the
benchmade with more premium steel. This one's really hard for me but luckily I
don't have to make the decision you do. Be sure to let us know in the comments
which one you would carry and what suede your decision. In the meantime if you
want to get your hands on either of these knives
click the link in the description below to head over to KnifeCenter.com