Is the Native FRN being Discontinued?

Rhyno37

Rhyno37

Joined
May 27, 2012
Messages
291
Recently, I've been on a kick to get a Native FRN S30V Plain edge. From the browsing I've down, many places are out of stock, including Amazon which used to always carry it. Even eBay has only about 4 different sellers. This begs the question: Is the Native FRN being discontinued? I had hear rumors earlier in the year that Spyderco was updating the design, perhaps this is true and they are flushing out old inventory? I'm looking to get one, but if it's being refreshed I might wait.
 
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Are you referring to the native lightweight? The native 3 was made with VG10 and discontinued years ago.
 
The only potential design changes I've heard of is it being converted to a FFG. I must say, I really do like the hollow grind and the swedge on the Native 2 model. That knife is slightly more perfect for me than the Stretch.

(Sorry Paul) :p
 
rycen said:
Are you referring to the native lightweight? The native 3 was made with VG10 and discontinued years ago.
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Meant to just say the FRN S30V model
RevDevil said:
The only potential design changes I've heard of is it being converted to a FFG. I must say, I really do like the hollow grind and the swedge on the Native 2 model. That knife is slightly more perfect for me than the Stretch.

(Sorry Paul) :p
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I agree, a hollow grind with swedge is a nice change up from the typical FFG these days, it'd be nice if they offered both. I really wish they would update the clip though
 
They did recently update the clip. It's no longer a squared off Ti clip, rather a SS hourglass. I much preferred the Ti clips over the wire (offers no security in the pocket) or hourglass (generic clip found on every offering across the board almost).
 
That was my first spydie. I have really misused it and it keeps on ticking. That was back in the day when Walmart had spyderco and I splurged on a 40$ knife. Fast forward to yesterday when I received a crk sebenza 25. That native was the beginning, and I have no regrets. Russ
 
RevDevil said:
They did recently update the clip. It's no longer a squared off Ti clip, rather a SS hourglass. I much preferred the Ti clips over the wire (offers no security in the pocket) or hourglass (generic clip found on every offering across the board almost).
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Are you talking about the Native 5? Because I'm pretty sure the Native FRN has a squared off clip, not the spoon or hourglass like the delica, endura, para2, etc... Also, does the Native FRN have nested steel liners or is it just the FRN handles? If not, does it make it feel cheap or weak at all? My FFG delica handle feels kinda weak even though it has nested steel liners
 
Rhyno37 said:
Are you talking about the Native 5? Because I'm pretty sure the Native FRN has a squared off clip, not the spoon or hourglass like the delica, endura, para2, etc... Also, does the Native FRN have nested steel liners or is it just the FRN handles? If not, does it make it feel cheap or weak at all? My FFG delica handle feels kinda weak even though it has nested steel liners
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The Native FRN did have a squared off clip but more recent production as well as the replacement clips from Spyderco come with an hourglass shape. As for the liners it doesn't have any but does not feel weak because of this. I carried one at work for several years alternating it with a Delica III and an Endura III. None of these had liners and they held up well to hard use.
 
wdr270 said:
The Native FRN did have a squared off clip but more recent production as well as the replacement clips from Spyderco come with an hourglass shape. As for the liners it doesn't have any but does not feel weak because of this. I carried one at work for several years alternating it with a Delica III and an Endura III. None of these had liners and they held up well to hard use.
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I see that now, most websites I was looking at didn't have an updated picture. Not sure why they don't put the three screws for the clip on the Native LW instead of the one large screw.

I went ahead and ordered one from GPknives today, was suprised to hear them say it's the last one. Seems like everywhere is running out. Maybe a shortage, or clearing stock for a new model?
 
The reason for the single screw clip is that there's nothing for the screws to anchor to in unlined FRN.
 
The FRCP Native V Lightweight is due out soon. AFAIK, at this point it's still an open question whether it will replace the FRN Native Lightweight, or supplement it.
 
The Deacon said:
The FRCP Native V Lightweight is due out soon. AFAIK, at this point it's still an open question whether it will replace the FRN Native Lightweight, or supplement it.
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Thanks for any inside scoop you have. I've been wanting to keep my ear to the ground on this, so I can buy a spare before my old one isn't easily replaced.
 
Rhyno37 said:
Are you talking about the Native 5? Because I'm pretty sure the Native FRN has a squared off clip, not the spoon or hourglass like the delica, endura, para2, etc... Also, does the Native FRN have nested steel liners or is it just the FRN handles? If not, does it make it feel cheap or weak at all? My FFG delica handle feels kinda weak even though it has nested steel liners
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I am a huge fan of the lightweight native. It fits the hand perfectly, functions (opens/locks/closes) smoothly, is the right size for edc (in hand and pocket), is nice and light, has a great blade (steel/shape/grind), and is ultra affordable! And to answer your question on strength, it is a tank. you may have felt like the Delica was weak because of the ffg and acute tip (its not weak, but the feeling is understandable. it may also be that you are not used to frn. get used to it, it rocks). But the blade of the native will be stronger because of the shape and grind. I have used and abused my native for things I don't think a lot of people would use a "hard use" folder for, and it still has absolutely Zero blade play.

Oh, and the newest natives definitely have the hourglass clip. the ones with the square clip are old inventory.
 
rycen said:
The reason for the single screw clip is that there's nothing for the screws to anchor to in unlined FRN.
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And in my opinion it is just as (or more) secure and much easier to use, while incorporating a lanyard hole.
 
The Deacon said:
The FRCP Native V Lightweight is due out soon. AFAIK, at this point it's still an open question whether it will replace the FRN Native Lightweight, or supplement it.
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Holy bejeezus! How much do you know about it? I would greatly appreciate a pm with all the information you have...
 
ALLHSS said:
Holy bejeezus! How much do you know about it? I would greatly appreciate a pm with all the information you have...
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It's not a secret. Back on Aug 30, in response to a question as to what he carries, Sal posted on the Spyderco Forum that he was carrying a Native V Lightweight prototype that day. Later that day someone started a thread there asking for more info on it, to which he responded that:

Sal Glesser said:
It's certainly taken longer than intended, but that is often the case. We'd prefer not to pull the trigger until we know it's as right as a new model can be. We had a time making the mold. The model is a co-polymer injection molded handle. The lock is the Native5 lock. 2.46 oz. 4 way clip. The model we're testing is S35VN.
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AFAIK, that's where it stand as of now, at least I haven't seen any further information from him.
 
The Deacon said:
It's not a secret. Back on Aug 30, in response to a question as to what he carries, Sal posted on the Spyderco Forum that he was carrying a Native V Lightweight prototype that day. Later that day someone started a thread there asking for more info on it, to which he responded that:



AFAIK, that's where it stand as of now, at least I haven't seen any further information from him.
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Any speculation as to what "native5 lock" is? Doess that just mean the back lock of the native 5?
 
The current FRN Native is already $70... with upgraded steel, lock, and grind, it doesn't sound as if the Native V lightweight will be much less expensive than the G10 version. I hope I'm wrong.
 
The old Gin-1 Native was my first Spyderco, so hopefully something approximating it will remain in production. It was a great knife then, highly ergonomic, light and functional, and although it could use the update, I would hate to see it discontinued. Maybe ZDP?
 
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