Can't Decide...Native, Native III, or Calypso Jr. Lightweight

J

jkosydor

Joined
Jul 6, 2004
Messages
8
Hi everyone. I need an everyday carry knife that's tough, comfortable, and holds an edge well. I can't decide between a S30V Native, Black Native III, or Calypso Jr. Lightweight w/ VG-10. My biggest kicker is the steel. I'm not sure if I like S30V OR VG-10 better. I'm leaning towards S30V, but I don't know how well the locking is on the Native since it doesn't have a detent in the lock release. Is this a big problem? The Native III has this feature but I'd have to settle for VG-10. I'm not sure that would be a fair trade. However, I don't really know which steel keeps an edge better or which one is harder or can stand up to more abuse. I know S30V is usually more expensive but I'm not too clear on the greatness of it. Then there's the the Calypso Jr... I can get this one pretty cheap, so if it's tough enough to handle normal chores like boxes, plastic, wood (to make a spear for marshmellows of course), or even self-defense please let me know. If it's not, I'd rather pay a bit more for something a little beafier. I've handled a Native III and it fits my hands rather well. Another thing I like in a knife is smooth, buttery action. One thing I don't like about the Native is the black clip. Of all the pictures I've seen it seems a bit too glossy for me, or is this just from bad pictures? Sorry about the randomness in all of theses questions. I'm just kind of putting out thoughts. Anyway,I appreciate anyone's incite and I'm grateful for your time. Thanks a bunch!
 
One can't beat the S30V Native for price, weight, carryability, steel, and ergonomics.
As a lock back (or whatever Spyderco calls it now), the Native does not require a detent to keep it closed, as it has a cam to keep it closed.
 
I know the detent doesn't actually have anything to do with the locking mechanism, it's a safety feature to keep a person from accidently unlocking the blade while holding tight. I was just wondering if that was a problem with the Native. Sorry if I worded my question badly. Thanks a lot for your help!
 
I own a Calypso JR and a Native III, of those two I would recomend the Calypso jr. If you want a Native, I would personally avoid the III. The action just isnt as smooth as I would like, but it does feel good in my hand.
 
Welcome to the forums jkosydor. All three of the knives you mention have the Boye dent, so that should not be an issue for you. For a combination of robust strength, light weight, and silky smooth action, you can't beat the S30V Native. The Native III offers the most ergonomic handle, but pays the price for it by being the bulkiest in the pocket. It would be the top choice if you spend your entire day cutting stuff, otherwise the regular Native or Calypso Jr are probably better choices as it does have the stiffest action of the three. The Calypso Jr. is a fine knife, perhaps a shade less robust than the Native, but certainly strong enough for any reasonable use. Its action is not quite as silky smooth as the Native, but is still very smooth, and the flat ground blade makes it the best slicer of the lot. The Calypso Jr is the lightest of the three, it feels like a feather in your pocket. S30V may hold an edge a bit longer than VG10, but it also takes a bit more effort to sharpen, so the two kind of even out.
 
jkosydor said:
I know the detent doesn't actually have anything to do with the locking mechanism, it's a safety feature to keep a person from accidently unlocking the blade while holding tight. I was just wondering if that was a problem with the Native. Sorry if I worded my question badly. Thanks a lot for your help!
Click to expand...

There are mixed reactions to the Boye Dent, but I'm not aware of any serious need for it as far as accidental unlocking being a chronic problem of any particular Spyderco. But I can classify everyone's thoughts about it in 3 camps:

#1. A few, and emphasis on few, people don't like it at all and claim that it actually causes accidental unlocks because it gives their finger something to "grip" by accident. IMAO if you are doing this you either are using a knife that's the wrong size for you or you're not using a grip that these knives are meant for (for example a Pikal grip).

#2. Fewer people think it's the best thing that ever happened to lockbacks.

#3. Most of us are all for it as it is a clever idea that helps make the knife safer but can't really tell the difference between the older Spydercos without it and the newer ones with it in actual use. That being said I think if Spyderco were to discontinue the Boye dent I'd be the first to get upset :p
 
For me, it would be the S30 Native....even though the lll was designed to be more 'ergo', it actually didn't fit my hand as well as the original Native handle. The Calypso is a beautiful little knife, but not quite as robust as the Native, especially in the tip.

As for steel, IMHO...the ege-hold difference is neglible. The 2 steels have a different "feel", with the s30 feeling a little more 'toothy' and more aggressive in fibrous materials, while the VG10 feels "smoother", and takes stropping a little better. I think the s30 feels like it holds an edge longer, but, in terms of cutting ability, that has to do with the feel more than the edge.

Thom
 
Ahh Natives, my favorite Spydies.....

To me it's still a coin toss over the steels. I love my new Goddard's VG-10, it's EXTREMELY SHARP, however so is my Native's S30V.

So it comes down to the handle, I feel the older one not only fits my hand better & even looks better so...

The Colorado made S30V Native is my choice. IMHO it's just about the perfect EDC.

BTW...this version has a detent
 
I picked the III over the original but I was forced... (it was more than double the price!)
 
Native II and Calypso Jr.....
You are trying to decide between my two favorite FRN Spydies.....as advice which one to get: How about throwing a coin....or better, save that coin and get both!!! :D

I would say, you had already choosen wisely, when you first posted your question!
 
You can't go wrong with the S30V Native.The Calypso Jr is very nice too but not as heavy duty as the Native.
 
Woah! My Navtive III just arrived in the post today and I can't understand what you people dislike about it :) I think I've got one of the newer ones. Opens Very easily. Literally shaving sharp out the box (first time I've seen that!). I'm going to have a hard time finding an excuse to use it though because it looks like one hell of a viscious (and larger than legal EDC, locking) blade, not that I suspect the police will give me much trouble in the woods...

Whats wrong with VG-10? :(
 
HERE's a link to a review I did over a year ago on the Native with S30.

S30 for me, when I can :)

I think Thom gave a good blurb on the steels above.
Nothing wrong with VG10.
Tom
 
I kind of plan on getting a Calypso Jr. in the future, since it won't be around forever. Does anyone think it is worth saving on shipping and paying an extra $40 to just go ahead and get the Calypso now with my native? I guess my thought is... is there a big enough difference between the two so that I will be able to use one for one task and need to use the other for a different task? Thanks!
 
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