Spyderco Lil' Temperance 3 Lightweight C69PBK3 – Compact, Hell-for-Stout EDC Pocket Knife
Originally designed by Spyderco co-founder Sal Glesser as a compact yet heavy-duty folder suitable for defensive use, the Lil' Temperance has been refined repeatedly over the years. This third-generation Lightweight edition trades the traditional G-10 scales of earlier versions for injection-molded fiberglass-reinforced nylon (FRN), cutting weight while adding the extreme grip security of a deeply molded Bi-Directional Texture™ pattern.
The stout 2.92" blade of the Spyderco Lil' Temperance 3 Lightweight C69PBK3 is full-flat ground from VG-10 stainless steel with a minimal ricasso to maximize usable edge length. Stainless steel liners nested in the black FRN scales form the foundation of the high-strength Compression Lock® mechanism and anchor a broad-based, four-position pocket clip. A fully accessible Trademark Round Hole™ allows swift, positive, one-handed deployment with either hand — everything you want in a serious EDC pocket knife.
Specifications
| Model |
Lil' Temperance 3 Lightweight |
| SKU |
C69PBK3 |
| Blade Length |
2.92" (74mm) |
| Edge Length |
2.82" (72mm) |
| Blade Steel |
VG-10 stainless |
| Blade Style |
Leaf-shaped PlainEdge™ |
| Grind |
Full-Flat |
| Blade Thickness |
0.157" (4mm) |
| Overall Length |
7.17" (182mm) |
| Closed Length |
4.37" (111mm) |
| Weight |
3.8 oz (108g) |
| Handle Material |
Black FRN with Bi-Directional Texture™ |
| Lock |
Compression Lock® |
| Pocket Clip |
Four-position, ambidextrous |
| Origin |
Japan |
Frequently Asked Questions
What steel is the blade made from?
The Spyderco Lil' Temperance 3 Lightweight C69PBK3 uses VG-10 stainless steel, a Japanese cutlery steel known for taking a very keen edge, resisting corrosion well, and being easy to re-sharpen at home.
How does the Compression Lock work?
The Compression Lock® on the Spyderco Lil' Temperance 3 Lightweight C69PBK3 wedges a leaf of the liner between the blade tang and a stop pin. You disengage it from the spine side of the handle, so your fingers never pass under the closing edge.
What is a leaf-shaped blade?
A leaf-shaped blade widens through the middle and tapers to a usable point — the profile used on the Spyderco Lil' Temperance 3 Lightweight C69PBK3. It balances slicing belly with tip control, which is why it is a Spyderco signature.
How do I sharpen it?
The full-flat grind on the Spyderco Lil' Temperance 3 Lightweight C69PBK3 sharpens easily on ceramic rods or diamond plates. Match the existing edge angle and finish with light passes on a fine stone; VG-10 responds well to a strop.
Is it legal to carry?
The Spyderco Lil' Temperance 3 Lightweight C69PBK3 is a manually opened folder with a 2.92" blade, which falls under most local blade-length limits — but knife laws vary by state and city, so check your local rules before carrying.
Can I carry it left-handed?
Yes. The Spyderco Lil' Temperance 3 Lightweight C69PBK3 has a four-position pocket clip for tip-up or tip-down, left or right, and its Trademark Round Hole™ opens with either hand.
Is this a good everyday carry knife?
At 3.8 oz with a 2.92" blade, the Spyderco Lil' Temperance 3 Lightweight C69PBK3 is compact enough for daily pocket carry while keeping the thick 4mm stock and stout build of a much larger folder.
Where can I buy the Spyderco Lil' Temperance 3 Lightweight C69PBK3?
You can buy the Spyderco Lil' Temperance 3 Lightweight C69PBK3 from Going Gear, an authorized Spyderco dealer, so your knife arrives genuine and backed by the full factory warranty.