Like many, I've been seduced by full steel liners, G10, CF, screwed-together construction and FFG grinds. All great practical features that, along with premium blade steel and high quality control, make current Spydercos truly superb knives. But since I first became a Spyderco fan based on their original molded lightweight Delica/Endura Clipits, I still have a fondness for the lightweight models.
After using and really liking the updated Manix 2 LW with translucent blue handle, I decided to try out the Native LW and Centofante 3. These are somewhat "old school" Spydercos. But these lightweight, pinned construction, FRN knives really have impressed me. Not only are they highly practical for light to medium duty daily cutting use, their thinner profile make them easy to carry and the designs look good as well. I like the blade shapes, hollow sabre grinds and the swedges. The pinned construction is often criticized but I've never had one of my old pinned Spydercos to loosen up or come apart and the Native and Centofante are two of the smoothest opening/closing and tightly locking Spydercos I own. The fit and finish work on both knives are second to none. The Native did take a little wearing in of the lock but, once done, it is now an incredibly sweet little knife.
New upgrades in Spyderco models are going to full flat grinds and screwed-together construction with adjustable pivots. Nested full steel liners are being used for strength in the FRN models and G10 is very popular for handle slabs. This is what the market demands and, in most cases, these new features improve overall function. But I still appreciate those nice swedges and hollow grinds and those linerless (or partially lined in the case of the Centofante) FRN handles with perfectly adjusted pinned construction.
After using and really liking the updated Manix 2 LW with translucent blue handle, I decided to try out the Native LW and Centofante 3. These are somewhat "old school" Spydercos. But these lightweight, pinned construction, FRN knives really have impressed me. Not only are they highly practical for light to medium duty daily cutting use, their thinner profile make them easy to carry and the designs look good as well. I like the blade shapes, hollow sabre grinds and the swedges. The pinned construction is often criticized but I've never had one of my old pinned Spydercos to loosen up or come apart and the Native and Centofante are two of the smoothest opening/closing and tightly locking Spydercos I own. The fit and finish work on both knives are second to none. The Native did take a little wearing in of the lock but, once done, it is now an incredibly sweet little knife.
New upgrades in Spyderco models are going to full flat grinds and screwed-together construction with adjustable pivots. Nested full steel liners are being used for strength in the FRN models and G10 is very popular for handle slabs. This is what the market demands and, in most cases, these new features improve overall function. But I still appreciate those nice swedges and hollow grinds and those linerless (or partially lined in the case of the Centofante) FRN handles with perfectly adjusted pinned construction.
