Is the Native 4 comfortable?

NDJeep

NDJeep

Joined
Jul 14, 2009
Messages
1,262
Been interested in this knife for quite awhile.

It looks to be meant to be to gripped with the index finger in the choil. Doesnt look like it'd be comfy any other way. On alot of spydercos the choiled grip is possible but optional. The native 4 looks like its a one-grip knife.

Thats OK in this case because I'm looking for a Spyderco that works best choked up on a choil. The choil on the Stretch and the GB is not deep enough for me and doesnt inspire confidence gripped that way. I do have stumpy fingers...

Can anyone comment on the choiled grip ergos of the Native 4? Looks like it would grip well.

Thanks :thumbup:
 
I have large hands and it fits me well.But the caly 3 has a better choil grip.
 
I think its one of the most comfortable sypdies I've owned. I love the lack of jimping and overall sleekness of it. Too bad the qc was a bit off on them, pretty sure that's the reason for the short production length. Could be wrong about that tho. I'm dying for the 5.

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Can't speak for the 4. but I have the s30v native, which should be similar in thickness and overall ergonomics, yes?

On that one, I do pretty much all cutting while gripping in the choil. I do have long, slender fingers, and have heard by some with chubbier fingers that the choil isn't the most comfortable for them. Cutting while gripping only the handle is doable, but not ideal. The choil on the Native is one of my favorite things about it, it's such a small knife in pocket, but gives such a positive grip with the choil.
 
I don't own a Native but I have been thinking about getting one after having one of my friends Walmart S30v Natives for a week.

He realized he didn't know how to sharpen it and I put an edge back on it. Took a few hours as he really beat it up in the previous 2 years he had it. Which by itself says something about S30V.

My buddy has HUGE hands, he is 6'6", and I have more normal size hands, I stand 6'1". Both of us agree it is quite the comfy knife.

I too am interested in new variations on this design. It is a real workhorse.
 
As for comfort, I prefer a little jimping on blades that provide a choke-up option, and like to see it along the spine as well as the choil. The handle on the Native 4 has been rounded, which is more comfortable to hold the knife unchoked, in my opinion.

It seems as though Spyderco wanted to 'soften' the aggressive look that was indigenous (lol) to the original Native; there are times when I won't carry my Native 1 because it's too scary looking to non-knife persons. I actually almost passed on picking up my Native for this reason, and although it took me a while to warm up to it, I'm glad I pulled the trigger.

Ultimately, I feel that the Native 4 design is trying too hard to be another knife. Maybe a Sage or something. I hope to see a new Native designed with large hard-cut spine jimping (like the fins on a freakin' shark) an aggressive swedge, and grippy FRN scales. I say let the Native run wild, savage and free! Unleash the beast, Spyderco! :thumbup:
 
I've got the Native 4. It's only my second Spydie. It's comfortable for the most part but it feels odd that my index finger rests on the blade, even though it's protected by the choil. I guess it takes some getting used to. And it's a little harder to open with one hand than my Delica. But I'm improving with practice.

Just .02 from a Spyderco newbie.
 
Does the Pope wear a funny hat? Yup it is VERY comfortable, it fits like a glove in any position and the heft is just right. Good luck in your search.
 
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