Description SP69PBL3K390: C69PBL3K390 Lil' Temperance 3 Lightweight K390 Spyderco Knives The Lil' Temperance Lightweight is a powerhouse cutting tool and the latest chapter in a long evolutionary history. Although rooted in Martial Blade Craft design, it provides reliable, full-service performance for any cutting task. To elevate that performance even further, this expression of it features a blade crafted from Böhler-Uddeholm, K390 MICROCLEAN, a state-of-the-art particle metallurgy tool steel formulated to withstand the rigors of the most demanding industrial applications. Full-flat ground from thick 4mm (0.157-inch) stock, the PlainEdge blade of this knife is supported by skeletonized stainless steel liners that form the foundation of its high-strength Compression Lock mechanism. The liners are nested within injection-molded fiberglass-reinforced-nylon (FRN) scales that feature a Bi-Directional Texture pattern for a secure, non-slip grip. Molded in the signature blue color of Spyderco's elite family of K390 knives, the scales are also home to a broad-based four-position clip that supports all possible carry preferences. Lil' Temperance Origins Introduced in 2001, the original Lil' Temperance was a powerhouse folding knife designed for both utilitarian and personal-defense use. It featured a stout leaf-shaped blade initially crafted from CPM 440V particle metallurgy stainless steel and later from CPM S30V. Full-flat ground from 4mm (0.157-inch) stock and produced in both PlainEdge and SpyderEdge variants, the blade was supported by Spyderco's innovative Compression Lock mechanism, which gave the knife “MBC-rated” lock strength for extreme reliability. The stainless steel liners that formed the foundation of the Compression Lock were nested within green G-10 handle scales that were meticulously machined to create an advanced ergonomic handle design. This three-dimensional design included three indexing “divots” in the obverse-side scale and a unique pocket clip with a matching series of holes. Designed only for right-side carry, the pocket clip could be configured for tip-up or tip-down orientation. In both positions, the clip's holes aligned perfectly with the divots in the opposite scale to provide index points for martial arts grip-change tactics. Pinching one of the holes between the thumb and index or middle finger created a natural pivot axis that allowed the knife to be changed swiftly from standard grip to reverse grip and back. The presence of three pairs of holes and divots enabled users to choose the pivot point that best fit their hand size and manipulation technique. Lil' Temperance 2 In addition to the original version, Spyderco also produced a second variation of the Lil' Temperance folder. It featured the exact same handle construction, but instead of a leaf-shaped blade, it had an upswept, trailing-point blade with a concave “clip” on the spine. Reminiscent of a classic Bowie knife shape, the concave clip also provided a more secure purchase when the knife was held in reverse grip and used to hook and redirect an attacker's limb. Like its sibling, the Lil' Temperance 2's blade was a stout 4mm thick and had a full-flat grind for optimal edge geometry. The grind bevels of both profiles also extended the full length of the blade, completely eliminating the ricasso (the unbeveled section of most blades between the shoulders of the grind bevels and the handle). This maximized edge length and allowed both knives to cut with authority far beyond the size of their compact blades. Early production of the Bowie-bladed Lil' Temperance 2 also showcased CPM 440V blade steel but was later switched to CPM S30V. Although a fully serrated SpyderEdge version was referenced in the 2003 Spyderco product guide, the Lil' Temperance 2 was only manufactured in the PlainEdge format. Lil' Temperance 3 The Lil' Temperance and Lil' Temperance 2 remained in the Spyderco product line from 2001 to about 2004. During that time, their distinctive clip design was refined several times to make it more pocket friendly, but ultimately both models were discontinued. In 2017, Sal Glesser decided to resurrect the Lil' Temperance, but in a leaner, simpler form. Christened the Lil' Temperance 3, it featured a broad, leaf-shaped blade crafted from CPM S30V. Like the first-generation design, the blade was made from thick 4mm stock and full-flat ground for an exceptional balance of strength, edge geometry, and low-friction cutting performance. Although its ricasso was slightly more pronounced than the original, it still boasted a full-length edge for maximum cutting performance. It also added a strategically placed section of jimping (textured grooves) on the thumb ramp to provide a positive thumb purchase. Like its predecessors, its Trademark Round Hole was also fully accessible from both sides to support swift, ambidextrous, one-handed opening. The most significant difference between the Lil' Temperance 3 and the first-