Spyderco Ladybug® 3 FRN Folding Knife | LPRP3 | VG-10 | Purple FRN | Pocket Field Instrument

The Experience

The Ladybug is the knife Spyderco's founder carries every day. Small enough to ride on a keychain alongside a set of car keys, yet capable of tackling every cutting task that crosses his path with authority that consistently surprises anyone who borrows it. This is the essential Ladybug — VG-10 stainless steel, hollow ground to a precise, efficient edge, in a Purple FRN handle that makes it unmistakably, unapologetically its own. Not black. Not tactical. Not trying to be anything other than what it is — the smallest, most capable folding knife in its class, in a color that stands out in a field kit, on a keychain, or in a jacket pocket without effort. At 0.6 ounces and 4.49 inches overall, it disappears into any carry configuration. The lockback is stout. The Round Hole opens one-handed. The Bi-Directional Textured handle holds in wet hands. And the VG-10 blade holds an edge well beyond what the knife's size suggests is possible. This is the Ladybug in its purest, most accessible expression — the founder's carry, in purple.

Scientific Engineering

• VG-10 Hollow Ground Modified Clip Point Blade: The 1.94-inch blade is precision ground from VG-10 stainless steel — a cobalt-enriched Japanese alloy manufactured by Takefu Special Steel and heat-treated to approximately 60 HRC for an exceptional balance of edge retention, corrosion resistance, and ease of sharpening. Hollow grinding produces a concave geometry that creates an exceptionally thin, aggressive edge profile optimized for slicing performance in a compact blade length.
• Modified Clip Point Profile: The blade's modified clip point provides a versatile tip geometry suited for both precision work and general field cutting tasks — a more refined profile than a standard clip point with improved tip strength.
• Trademark Round Hole™ One-Handed Opening: Spyderco's signature round hole allows smooth, reliable one-handed deployment with either thumb or forefinger — accessible even on a knife this compact.
• Bi-Directional Texturing™ FRN Handle: The Purple fiberglass-reinforced nylon handle scales are injection-molded with Spyderco's patented Bi-Directional Texturing — angled ridges that provide a secure non-slip grip from any hand position including wet or gloved hands in active field conditions.
• Lockback Mechanism: A stout back lock secures the blade firmly in the open position during use — one of the most time-tested and mechanically reliable locking systems in folding knife design.
• Keychain/Lanyard Configuration: An integrated keychain hole allows the Ladybug to ride permanently on a keychain, carabiner, or pack attachment point — always accessible, never left behind.
• Clipless Design: The Ladybug's clipless handle keeps its profile minimal and snag-free — riding flat in a watch pocket or on a keychain without the bulk or printing of a conventional clip knife.

Boutique & Conservation Values

• The Founder's Carry: The Ladybug was the knife Spyderco's founder Sal Glesser chose to carry daily — above every other model in the company's catalog. The Purple FRN Ladybug 3 is the essential expression of that choice — no premium steel, no collector angle, just the pure Ladybug platform in a color that reflects its personality perfectly.
• The Bundle Anchor: The Purple Ladybug is the feminine counterpart in the Midwest Nest insect collection — the natural pairing for the Cobalt Blue Manbug in The Field Companions set and the anchor of every bundle in the series.
• Country of Origin: Japan
• Spyderco Warranty: Every Ladybug® 3 FRN is backed by Spyderco's manufacturer warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.

Specifications

• Blade Length: 1.94" (49.3mm)
• Cutting Edge: 1.63" (41.4mm)
• Blade Thickness: 0.087" (2.2mm)
• Blade Steel: VG-10 Stainless Steel
• Blade Profile: Modified Clip Point
• Blade Finish: Satin
• Blade Grind: Hollow
• Overall Length: 4.49" (114mm)
• Closed Length: 2.56" (65mm)
• Handle Material: Purple FRN (Fiberglass-Reinforced Nylon)
• Lock Type: Lockback
• Weight: 0.6 oz. (17g)
• Carry System: Keychain hole, clipless
• Country of Origin: Japan
• Shipping Weight: 1 lb. (estimated)
• Warranty: Spyderco Manufacturer Warranty