Native 1 and 3.. difference?

A

Applejacks

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Hi everyone, because of all the mentionings of it on this forum, I feel as though I need to own a Spyderco Native. I was looking online, and the 1st generation is much cheaper. Besides the 1 coming with a regular metal non black clip, is there any real difference? Also, its a lock back.. meaning two handed closing?

So for the noob question, but I am new to the knife game. Thanks.
 
Native S30V, FRN handle, made in USA
Native II - AUS10, steel handle, Japanese made if you can find any left.
Native III - VG10, FRN handle, Japanese made

There are some minor differences between the blade shapes of the I and III. Also some minor differences in the handle shapes. Esav has both and said that he likes the handle on the III better. Have heard some comments about variation in the fineness of the fit on the I. Have not heard any about the III. There have also been some comments about S30V chipping on some of the Native I's. That issue may have been solved. Don't know. But there have been no such issues with the VG10 on the III's.

I have a Native III. I am extremely happy with it. Great fit and finish. The FRN is quite robust and fits my hand great. Lockup is solid as a rock. The VG10 takes a great edge. Holds it well. Love the blade shape. A great user.
 
I hope you don't mean "native - first generation BRK"

it's not really a real native and not worth the $.

Between a native 1 and 3, I've had both. The 3 is more comfy but the 1 is flater in the pocket. Both are great knives though. The clip is personal pref, with the 1 having a standard style clip and the 3 having a wire clip (function of both is very similar IMHO).

The steel dif would be influenced by use. For strictly slicing, I'd go S30V. For abuse, I'd take the VG-10.
 
Applejacks said:
Hi everyone, because of all the mentionings of it on this forum, I feel as though I need to own a Spyderco Native. I was looking online, and the 1st generation is much cheaper. Besides the 1 coming with a regular metal non black clip, is there any real difference? Also, its a lock back.. meaning two handed closing?

So for the noob question, but I am new to the knife game. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Forgot to add comment on price. If you search around in the various on-line stores, you can get either I or III for about $45 plus shipping (I paid $43 for my III). If you can find the II, it will be close to $60 because of the steel handle.
 
There is a type of native made over seas for ~19 buck. They are pos. I do believe that they are refered to as Gen I. I own a Gen III native in VG 10. The thing about natives is that they are built for people with middle or smaller hands. For some, the native is really conformable. For others, it's no good at all. I would handle one before buying it. One issue with native III is that I and many others have complained that the pivot pin is too tight and the knife is hard to open. I think this happens when I warm up the knife in my hand and either then handle or the blade expanded. When this happens, the knife is impossible to open with one hand.
 
kidwholaughs said:
There is a type of native made over seas for ~19 buck. They are pos. I do believe that they are refered to as Gen I. I own a Gen III native in VG 10. The thing about natives is that they are built for people with middle or smaller hands. For some, the native is really conformable. For others, it's no good at all. I would handle one before buying it. One issue with native III is that I and many others have complained that the pivot pin is too tight and the knife is hard to open. I think this happens when I warm up the knife in my hand and either then handle or the blade expanded. When this happens, the knife is impossible to open with one hand.
Click to expand...

Applejacks was asking about Spyderco Natives. I have never seen any Spyderco Native for $19 from any legitimate dealer. Perhaps someone is selling knock-offs?

I cannot comment on the hand size issue. I have medium sized hands. The Native III works for me.

I have no problems opening my Native III one handed. The blade requires a decent pull to open, but it does open one handed all the time for me. Granted this is not a design with a blade you can flick open, but I've yet to see a lockback that is.
 
knarfeng said:
Native S30V, FRN handle, made in USA
Native II - AUS10, steel handle, Japanese made if you can find any left.
Native III - VG10, FRN handle, Japanese made

There are some minor differences between the blade shapes of the I and III. Also some minor differences in the handle shapes. Esav has both and said that he likes the handle on the III better. Have heard some comments about variation in the fineness of the fit on the I. Have not heard any about the III. There have also been some comments about S30V chipping on some of the Native I's. That issue may have been solved. Don't know. But there have been no such issues with the VG10 on the III's.

I have a Native III. I am extremely happy with it. Great fit and finish. The FRN is quite robust and fits my hand great. Lockup is solid as a rock. The VG10 takes a great edge. Holds it well. Love the blade shape. A great user.
Click to expand...

Thanks for all that info. Exactly what I need to know.

As far as the handle.. I am a fan of thin handles, and smaller knives overall. Is it much thicker than that of a mini grip? Thanks.
 
talonturbo said:
I hope you don't mean "native - first generation BRK"

it's not really a real native and not worth the $.

Between a native 1 and 3, I've had both. The 3 is more comfy but the 1 is flater in the pocket. Both are great knives though. The clip is personal pref, with the 1 having a standard style clip and the 3 having a wire clip (function of both is very similar IMHO).

The steel dif would be influenced by use. For strictly slicing, I'd go S30V. For abuse, I'd take the VG-10.
Click to expand...

Not sure what I mean. haha

Dang, now I am confused on which to buy. I liked that the III seemed a bit updated. But hearing the grip is thinner on the I.. I just don't know. I really like thin handles.
 
knarfeng said:
Forgot to add comment on price. If you search around in the various on-line stores, you can get either I or III for about $45 plus shipping (I paid $43 for my III). If you can find the II, it will be close to $60 because of the steel handle.
Click to expand...

Ewww, appreciate the heads up. Thanks.
 
kidwholaughs said:
There is a type of native made over seas for ~19 buck. They are pos. I do believe that they are refered to as Gen I. I own a Gen III native in VG 10. The thing about natives is that they are built for people with middle or smaller hands. For some, the native is really conformable. For others, it's no good at all. I would handle one before buying it. One issue with native III is that I and many others have complained that the pivot pin is too tight and the knife is hard to open. I think this happens when I warm up the knife in my hand and either then handle or the blade expanded. When this happens, the knife is impossible to open with one hand.
Click to expand...

Ewww, thanks for that. I didn't know any of that. Makes me think. Thank you.
 
knarfeng said:
Applejacks was asking about Spyderco Natives. I have never seen any Spyderco Native for $19 from any legitimate dealer. Perhaps someone is selling knock-offs?

I cannot comment on the hand size issue. I have medium sized hands. The Native III works for me.

I have no problems opening my Native III one handed. The blade requires a decent pull to open, but it does open one handed all the time for me. Granted this is not a design with a blade you can flick open, but I've yet to see a lockback that is.
Click to expand...

Thanks for clarification.
 
Applejacks said:
Thank you. Sadly, I can't find a place near me that has one to handle.
Click to expand...

If you go to a knife association meeting, I am pretty sure that someone will bring one for you to check out. As for handles go. It's not thin. The handle is about half an inche thick and an inche wide. I don't have a mini grip, but I think a mini grip is nicer than native.
Check this out.

http://spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?p=316504
 
kidwholaughs said:
If you go to a knife association meeting, I am pretty sure that someone will bring one for you to check out. As for handles go. It's not thin. The handle is about half an inche thick and an inche wide. I don't have a mini grip, but I think a mini grip is nicer than native.
Check this out.

http://spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?p=316504
Click to expand...

Indeed. Good advice, thanks. I was planning to check out a local meet here in NJ with some of the gentlemen from the forum.

I just bought a mini grip and love it. But I don't know, I feel like I need something else. I think I caught the knife buying bug from you guys. lol

Good link, reading now. Thank you.
 
Hey.. dun knock the BRK 1st generation Native...:) it was THIS knife that brought me to this forum!!!!
 
Applejacks said:
Indeed. Good advice, thanks. I was planning to check out a local meet here in NJ with some of the gentlemen from the forum.

I just bought a mini grip and love it. But I don't know, I feel like I need something else. I think I caught the knife buying bug from you guys. lol

Good link, reading now. Thank you.
Click to expand...

That's awesome. Have you thought about a medium fixed blade. There are so many nice knives out there. I would handle many knives as I can before buying another one just yet. Expand your horizon.
Knives with natural handle materials like wood or bone are a pleasure to use. The feel much softer on the hands.
 
kidwholaughs said:
That's awesome. Have you thought about a medium fixed blade. There are so many nice knives out there. I would handle many knives as I can before buying another one just yet. Expand your horizon.
Knives with natural handle materials like wood or bone are a pleasure to use. The feel much softer on the hands.
Click to expand...

I did... but I have zero confidence in carrying a fixed blade. Shoot, I am scared to carry the mini grip. lol.

Yeah, I really want something wood.. for that old school look.
 
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