Kinda Like The Native III........

[Mudflap]

Yep, think I'm going to keep this one! Got the Native III yesterday from Knifeworks and I had to say that I was very pleased. Ya know, some knives you pick up and they're O.K. Others just don't feel quite feel right or fit the bill for one reason or another. This one felt very right out of the box. Again, a keeper.

And actually a fairly substantial knife for a lightweight Zytel folder. I was looking for something that was slightly heavier duty than my Delica, but not overweight. And there it was. The thicker handle feels good and although it is slightly bulkier and heavier than the Delica, I don't necessarily consider this a bad thing. In essence, I notice the knife is there-either clipped somewhere or in the pocket, but don't forget the knife this there like I occasionally do with the Delica. Not a bad thing at all.

I took the knife running last night to see how it would feel during activity. I clipped the knife outside my trunks using only the wire clip and the results were very positive. The knife stayed put (this is the only time I usually carry a knife by the clip alone without the added security of it being inside the pocket too) and again, I noticed the knife was there, but it didn't bother me at all. The big advantage to the wire clip was the fact that it was nice and rounded and didn't rub or chafe my skin. I gotta go thumbs up on the wire clip. It worked.

Like this blade design too. And the A-typical Spyderco razor-sharp edge. The blade feels bigger than it's size would suggest.

I tried one of the other Native models and it was fine. I just liked this one a little better--for my uses. Aren't but a handful of folders that I take out of the box and put in my pocket. This was one of them. Straight into the daily rotation. Anybody else have a similar experience with the Native III?

 

[edb]

I reacted the same way you did when I got mine. I hope your impressions
remain as positive longer than mine did.

Don't get me wrong - I think it was a great knife while I had it - I just
had a couple issues that caused me to trade it away:

1) The blade, after only a little pocket carry and use, would far too easily
stay in an open position, even if only 1/2 inch away from being closed. Spyderco service did fix this, but I always was wary of it occurring again. I did get one of the first ones, so maybe that was an issue that no longer exists.

2) That wire clip (!). At first, I loved it. But after only another few weeks, I ended up catching it while walking by something. I didn't exactly bash the thing -- it just got caught (i.e. considerably less abuse than my Delica clip, or Endura clip, or Native I clip). The wire clip on the III bent out of shape considerably, so the entire knife went back to Golden to be fixed again.

After the clip thing, I no longer trusted it. Maybe it was just bad luck, or one of the early ones. I loved (repeat, ) the ergonomics of the handle, and the blade, and all that. I just didn't trust it enough to carry it anymore, so I let it go.

As I said, I hope your impressions do not change. There are certainly many
other big fans of this knife out there, so I hope you end up joining them

 

[Esav Benyamin]

I like the Native III a LOT. I usually carry more high-end knives, like my tanto Sebenza or Mnandi, but it's nice to have a real lightweight when I am minimally dressed in very light clothes in this hot weather, and the Native III doesn't leave me short on performance.

I find the handle extraordinary with its really great grip. The flare at the butt makes it especially easy to grab onto to pull it out of my pocket.

I don't know what's with you guys hooking the clips on things and bending them, though! Failure to judge clearance? I would never let you drive for me!!

 

[jose']

I recently bought a Native like you and I really like the knife. It is scary sharp and also a very robust knife. I haven't decided on using it for EDC due to the fact that there are Spydies that are better suited for that mission.I like the flat scales like what is used on the Endura and REALLY like the Salsa system, but would prefer the steel clip over the wire. I am looking to buy another Spydie and am totally in love with the Karambit and wouldn't sneeze at a stainless Cricket. I currently carry a Merlin for EDC and love the knive and have put it thru hell at work. My Endura was a great knife and I would still be carring it if not for losing it. The Native III is a very good knife and I'll probably buy a sheath for EDC to eliminate problems with the clip/snag nightmare.

 

[Moon]

I too recently purchased a Native III. I havent had any problems with the clip (yet), it's my first wire clip Spydie. It feels great in my hand and It's been my EDC for over a month now. My only gripe is the action is not very smooth, but I have gotten used to it and I can still open it with a flick of the spyder hole.

 

[Ming65]

I think the Native has the best ergos of any knife in the world - there I've said it. Waiting for a H1 vesrion...