Looking for an affordable knife with choil and good steel

O

ooheadsoo

Joined
Dec 18, 2005
Messages
112
I got my hands on a Spyderco Native (not III) and loved the feel. However, it seems slightly unfair that the stainless steel ones have aus10 steel but the frn grips only have 440a. Couldn't we have the frn or a zytel grip etc with better steel? Are there any alternative out there? Similar size and feel as the original Native but with better steel in the same price ballpark?
 
Some of the older FRN Natives had CPM440V I think, not 440A. The current ones have S30V. Current Native IIs (ss handled) and IIIs have VG10. All of these are held as high end steels I believe.
 
Since when has the Native had 440A steel for the blade? First prod. run or something? - always thought Native I had S30V and the III VG-10....
440V is now renamed as S90V (better than S30V actually at edge holding).
 
Sounds like a perfect opportunity to grab a "controversial" Wal-Mart Native.

Good steel? Check. CPM S30V

Choil? Check.

Affordable? Check. $39.98.

Bonus: Made in Golden, Colorado.

Great knife, enormous bang for the buck.
 
Thanks for the tips - unfortunately, my walmart doesn't carry the Native. I'll check the place by my work again for blade material. Only problem I have with the Native is the serrated to plain edge ratio. Any takers on that issue? :p
 
They also make plain edge Natives. Or do you want serrations, but not so many?
 
senoBDEC said:
Since when has the Native had 440A steel for the blade? First prod. run or something? - always thought Native I had S30V and the III VG-10....
440V is now renamed as S90V (better than S30V actually at edge holding).
Click to expand...

Do a search on the BRK (Blue Ridge Knives), 1st generation Natives. They were partly made/assembled by Camillus for Blue Ridge Knives with lousy blade steel (read 440A). The real Spyderco FRN Natives (with the exception of the Native III, which has VG-10) have/had, in the following order: Gin-1, CPM-440V (same as CPM-S60V), and CPM-S30V (used on the current FRN Natives). The SS Native has/had AUS-10.

If you see a "1st generation BRK" marking on the blade, it has 440A blade steel.

Best wishes,
3Guardsmen
 
Yes, I was referring to the cheap BRK 1st gens. Hey, I they're cheap, I can't help but look.

Hair said:
They also make plain edge Natives. Or do you want serrations, but not so many?
Click to expand...

It would be nice to have serrations but with a standard ratio to plain edge instead the inverse they have with the native. I like using the serrated edge on cheap thin plastic or rope etc. but have not cut those materials on a regular basis with good steel, so maybe I shouldn't be avoiding the straight ahead plain edge. You tell me.
 
Another vote for the Native (either on S30V or VG-10). Another option would be the Calypso jr. (VG-10 or even ZDP-189) :D
 
You could also opt for the Buck Strider Tarani. With the BOS heat treated 420 HC it's definitely affordable, at about $50 on ebay. Has the choil and comes semi serrated. It's much more heavy duty than the Native.

For about 30 bucks more you can get it in ATS-34.
 
TheKnifeCollector said:
Get a Native! It is an EXCELLENT knife!
Click to expand...

I wish I could. I called 8 different walmart stores today and only one had the Native. I asked, "Do you carry the Spyderco Native?" He said, "Yeah, we have lots of spider stuff!" I was taken aback, because no one else at the other stores even knew what I was talking about...and it sounded a bit fishy. Spider stuff? I said, "...uh...do you have them in stock?"

"Yeah, lots!"

"...Uh...are you sure? Can you check for me?"

10 seconds later, "Yep we have them in stock."

"Plain edge or serrated?"

"Uh, lemme see...we only have the serrated."

"Thanks."

I go all the way out of my way to go to that walmart, and it turns out that the guy misheard me, after about 20 minutes of some poor middle aged lady employee on her hands and knees searching for the knife for me. I don't remember what he thought I said, but it was pretty lame. Whatever it was, it didn't even sound like "spider stuff."

I'm about ready to give up on it. For the $60 that it costs on ebay or gpknives, it has to compete with the mini-griptilian, which puts up a decent fight, I'd say. Or the D2 dozier folder on agrussell. Or the zdp-189 delica, though I don't like the feel of the delica.

Any thoughts on s30v vs zdp-189?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top