How is the Spyderco Native?

Maikutis said:
I'd love to get the native if only because I hear so many people on these boards say that they love to carry it every day. I've put a knife in my pocket every day for the last 12 years and I don't think I've ever even had the thought of having to use if for self defense. I know some of you may call me unprepared, but yeah, I've never thought of myself as having to get into a knife fight.
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I certainly wouldn't want to get into a knife fight. Anyone who's seen what a knife can do wants to stay as far away from someone else's knife as they can get. And I don't think many of us have any qualms about someone not wanting to be armed in self defense. It's a matter of personal choice.

The Native, in fact, is made just for people like you. It's got a sharp blade that keeps its edge for a very long time and is built well and sells for a reasonable price. Would I get one just because so many people on this board recommend it? Well, possibly. These people know what they're talking about and unless you have people saying a knife isn't worth having, it generally is worth having.

For forty bucks, though, a good 4-incher can be had, and that would suit folks like me just fine. A CRKT M21-14 goes for about the same price and appeals to me on many levels that the Native doesn't. But then, woo hoo for diversity! Anyone who says they "need" a knife can probably do with a great variety, but we live in a consumer's society where anyone can get just about what they want for the money. Why, did you know that within fifteen minutes you can order a knife online that has a blade on one end and a twisted steel handle that's made from the same piece of steel on the other? Why anyone would need something like that is beyond me, but you can find it, order it, and pay for it in fifteen minutes. And you can have it within a week. Isn't that amazing?

But back to defense, no knife is totally useless in that regard. Remember the movie Cellular? Kim Basinger took out a guy with a piece of glass, just because she knew a little bit about anatomy. Even violent criminals in prison study Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body so they can more effectively off other people. So don't sell anything short.
 
The Native looks to be held together with just a rivet or something; is this the case? If so, won't it get sloppy over time, and how does one disassemble for cleaning?
 
rhodeskeys said:
The Native looks to be held together with just a rivet or something; is this the case? If so, won't it get sloppy over time, and how does one disassemble for cleaning?
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My serrated Native is by far the most abused folder I have. For years it has been my yard work/chore knife. It has cut many roots in the dirt, pruned, removed small saplings, etc. The dang thing has developed no blade play at all, for all of the abuse it has received. None, not even a hint. For cleaning, I just turn the hose on it, sling the excess water off, and leave it open while it drys.
 
My Spyderco Native III should be arriving tomorrow, so I'm looking forward to checking it out. From the sound of most of these responses, it's gonna be a good one!!!
 
lorise said:
For example my friend:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=503924
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The Native was mentioned by two people in that thread.
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When I did a search for "Native" in the General Discussion forum I got 11 pages of hits. Sounds to me like people on the forums like the Native and mention it frequently. I sure do.

The above is probably what I should have put in my first post. I was just so shocked that anyone would think that the Native is not frequently mentioned. I see it all the time.
 
Confederate said:
I certainly wouldn't want to get into a knife fight. Anyone who's seen what a knife can do wants to stay as far away from someone else's knife as they can get. And I don't think many of us have any qualms about someone not wanting to be armed in self defense. It's a matter of personal choice.

The Native, in fact, is made just for people like you. It's got a sharp blade that keeps its edge for a very long time and is built well and sells for a reasonable price. Would I get one just because so many people on this board recommend it? Well, possibly. These people know what they're talking about and unless you have people saying a knife isn't worth having, it generally is worth having.

For forty bucks, though, a good 4-incher can be had, and that would suit folks like me just fine. A CRKT M21-14 goes for about the same price and appeals to me on many levels that the Native doesn't. But then, woo hoo for diversity! Anyone who says they "need" a knife can probably do with a great variety, but we live in a consumer's society where anyone can get just about what they want for the money. Why, did you know that within fifteen minutes you can order a knife online that has a blade on one end and a twisted steel handle that's made from the same piece of steel on the other? Why anyone would need something like that is beyond me, but you can find it, order it, and pay for it in fifteen minutes. And you can have it within a week. Isn't that amazing?

But back to defense, no knife is totally useless in that regard. Remember the movie Cellular? Kim Basinger took out a guy with a piece of glass, just because she knew a little bit about anatomy. Even violent criminals in prison study Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body so they can more effectively off other people. So don't sell anything short.
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How is a four inch knife going to be any better than a three inch knife for self defense? I agree with your point about the importance of knowing how to use a knife. I think training and physical conditioning would be much more important than an extra inch on a blade.
 
Im glad this thread came along.I have looking at the Native line lately.Wal-mart has them for 40 bucks.Looks like a nice knife.
 
At about $40 from wally world it's hard to beat. I carried one for a while and it became my "take on vacation" knife. just about a perfect size, i would have preferred it in aus 8 but the S30v did pretty good. A definite must have for the money,ahgar
 
I know this thread is a week or two old but I just wanted to share this picture of my Native. Took it on my girlfriend's new Cannon A570. It came out a bit blurry which I don't understand since this camera is supposed to have image stabilization.
Native.JPG
 
jonnyt16 said:
I know this thread is a week or two old but I just wanted to share this picture of my Native. Took it on my girlfriend's new Cannon A570. It came out a bit blurry which I don't understand since this camera is supposed to have image stabilization.
Native.JPG
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The most common reason for blurry pictures from digital cameras is that people don't allow the camera that extra fraction of a second to finish capturing the picture. Digital cameras or the "non professional" digital cameras are slower to capture pictures than their predesessors. So you need to hold the camera still after you've pushed the button for just a moment. Then no blurr.
 
Silverdagger said:
I have one. If it fits your hand, it's a keeper.
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It didn't fit my hand.

It's a great knife for the money.
Top blade steel and pretty well made.

Mostly, I really did not like the fact that the Spydiehole is partially covered by the handle.
Did not like that at all.

Also, the Native is a bit "chubby".

The Endura, a larger knife, is actually a slimmer, more comfortable carry.
IMO.
 
lorise said:
The most common reason for blurry pictures from digital cameras is that people don't allow the camera that extra fraction of a second to finish capturing the picture. Digital cameras or the "non professional" digital cameras are slower to capture pictures than their predesessors. So you need to hold the camera still after you've pushed the button for just a moment. Then no blurr.
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Thanks for the tip!
 
Grey Mullet said:
How is a four inch knife going to be any better than a three inch knife for self defense? I agree with your point about the importance of knowing how to use a knife. I think training and physical conditioning would be much more important than an extra inch on a blade.
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How is a 5-inch knife going to be better than a 4? Or a 6-inch better than a 5? Every inch you can put on a knife is beneficial when it comes to self defense. Many municipalities allow 3-inch blades, but not 4 and beyond.

Training and physical condition play a crucial part in knife fighting, and there are all sorts of books available on how to avoid them and, failing that, how to use a knife. But none of the guys writing these books would tell you that blade length isn't a factor, especially when you're talking about smaller knives.

Take a Native and compare it to a 4-inch Cold Steel Recon 1 or a CRKT spearpoint. Not only do these knives sport more substantial blades, but the handles are designed for combative situations. They have handles and guards to keep the fingers from slipping over the blade and a grip that can be maintained if slippery from sweat or blood. Tantos and spearpoints are my favorite blade configurations because when they enter the body, they can be torqued to cause a quicker end to the conflict. Most Spydercos can enter the body in a stabbing motion, but blade configuration is not adequate for anything but slashing.

The Native is a great cutting knife, but it's clearly not self defense. I'm not sure I would use it in a garden, cutting roots and weeds, either, but as a pocket knife, it's great for the money.
 
My first Spyederco was a "First Generation BRK" Native I got real cheap off eBay. I loved it, and have bought lots more Spyderco's since. I removed the clip and prefer carrying it loose in my back pocket. It's an excellent, light, rugged little no worries pocket knife if you ask me. Still have it. Still use it. It's a keeper.
 
Wow to each their own I guess huh ?

I think the Native is one of the finest knives ever produced , ever.
Right up there with the venerable Buck110.

Steel is top notch though be wary of chipping , it takes an incredibly sharp edge but it is not a prybar by any realm of the imagination.
IMO the grip is perfect for what I think the primary purpose of this knife is and that is self defense.
The lock is spot on , F&F on mine was spot on , best of all was the very wallet friendly price.
:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 
I remember buying a Native when they first came out, and I also picked up a Renegade at the same time. I've since traded these off, and can't remember, but did these come out with G-10 handles originally? As I remember the Renegade was a larger knife than the Native and I really liked it. A shame Spyderco doesn't bring it back.
 
rebeltf said:
Wow to each their own I guess huh ?

I think the Native is one of the finest knives ever produced , ever.
Right up there with the venerable Buck110.

Steel is top notch though be wary of chipping , it takes an incredibly sharp edge but it is not a prybar by any realm of the imagination.
IMOthe grip is perfect for what I think the primary purpose of this knife is and that is self defense.
The lock is spot on , F&F on mine was spot on , best of all was the very wallet friendly price.
:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
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Also Wow! I would never have taken the primary purpose of a Native to be self defence. I have to use the choil for the knife to be comfortable in my hand. That turns a 3" blade into a 2 1/2" blade, which would be a bit short for SD IMO. But by the same token, using the choil gives you incredible control for precision cutting operations. I frequently EDC the Native III and use it for all sorts of cutting. I never carry knives for SD. But if I did I wouldn't choose the Native. YMMV (and obviously does in this case.;))
 
unfortunately I had to return mine because I already have a Delica, and they are too similar. Honestly I'd prefer the Native over the Delica. But I'm the kind of guy that wants to wear out his knife completely before getting a new one. It's been over 10 yrs. I've had that Delica :o



www.geocities.com/knifebat
 
The Wallyworld Native is a favorite in every thread about "What's the best knife under $50". It's not carried in a lot of their stores by me (MN), but you can order from their website and ship to a store near you for free.
 
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