Native 5, I have to apologize to you

The Native 5 is a very stout precision folder that has zero blade play or lock rock. It really locks up tight. It has a thick spine but the practical full flat grind and a skillful sharpening technique makes mine a very good slicer. It will definitely smooth up with use. After all it’s bare FRN, no phosphor bronze washers over steel liners like some of my ultra smooth pieces. Mine weighs 2.28 ounces so thank goodness for grippy FRN. I don’t travel heavy and you won’t find me schlepping a quarter pound or more folder anywhere. This one is more than capable for the desert, canyons and mountains where I live and spend a lot of time. There are no size limits on pocketknives in these parts, zero.


There is a trail less canyon we like to go way up to some ideal spots we have found. It’s easiest to climb up on a bench above the rocky, boulder strewn creek so fast travel is possible. Occasionally a branch will need trimming for forward progress and this excellent cutting tool is so perfect without weighing me down. The various steel options make it even more enticing. Tying a loop of cordage through the lanyard hole is something I do too to secure it in a pocket of my lumbar pack, a minimalist pack that carries wind or rain jacket, sufficient water, snacks of course, fire starter and a lightweight, high performance folding knife. The terrain has a lot of vertical here so light gear is necessary for speed and distance.

Spyderco is my preference for overall design and performance along with light weight. I’ve been a Spyderco user for 39 years now. Always have one in my pocket and always with me during several trips a week all year round in our wild wilderness that we walk into from home with no driving. The Native 5 is an excellent choice.

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stillshot2 said:
The native feels great in hand and looks great, until you actually need some cutting surface length and then it kinda falls on its face.
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If you need more "cutting surface length," there's always the Native's cousin -- the Native Chief -- that you can use instead. ;)

These are the 3 in my collection:

5CQoeIL.jpg



From top to bottom, they are the:

Black G10/S30V
CF/S90V Sprint.
Brown G10/M390 Sprint
 
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sgt1372 said:
If you need more "cutting surface length," there's always the Native's cousin -- the Native Chief -- that you can use instead. ;)

These are the 3 in my collection:

5CQoeIL.jpg



From top to bottom, they are the:

Black G10/S30V
CF/S90V Sprint.
Brown G10/M390 Sprint
Click to expand...
Do the tips on these sit as high as the native 5? I have been wanting a crucarta but have held off not knowing the answer.
 
Using the choil, it fits my XL hands just right and that lockup is perfect. Mine is in S110V which works well in FL. My only desire would be to have the Spydie hole about 1/4" closer to the handle like the Centofante.
I hope I'm adding the picture correctly.
https://imgur.com/a/JYT3pMB
 
sgt1372 said:
Don't know what you mean by this. If it helps, here's a pic of a CF Native 5 & a CF Native Chief separated by a CF Shaman that might help:

zCIgpgP.jpeg
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Can you take a pic of the knife tip folded closed, in relation to the handle that it nests inside.

On the native, if you sharpen it enough, the tip could be above the handle, such the edge isn’t contained inside the handle. It’s really close that way.

I think that’s what he’s getting at.
 
co556guy said:
Can you take a pic of the knife tip folded closed, in relation to the handle that it nests inside.

On the native, if you sharpen it enough, the tip could be above the handle, such the edge isn’t contained inside the handle. It’s really close that way.

I think that’s what he’s getting at.
Click to expand...

Not going to bother doing that.

Lots of pics of both Natives & Native Chiefs - both open & closed - can be found on this page:

Search: 45 results found for "Native"

Spyderco is an American cutlery company based in Golden, Colorado, producing knives and knife sharpeners. Spyderco pioneered many features that are now common in folding knives
spyderco.com spyderco.com
 
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Grip said:
Because you can't sharpen your super steel that holds an edge forever 30+ times.

Sounds like folks are just looking for something to complain about to me.
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It is a complaint and we can all have them. This is a forum for knives where else would we talk about them?
 
I suppose complaint is a form of discussion, a low form but one none the less. 😁

Ergo, me complaining about you complaining is in good form. 😉

I'm not losing any sleep over it, got too many knives I cycle through to even worry about wearing one out.
 
It's a relevant topic...especially for folks who are considering a purchase.

Whether the concern is justified, is what we are trying to discuss here. It doesn't have to get emotional or personal...and so far I think it's been handled the way we'd hope it to be among fellow enthusiasts.
 
I’ve been away from BF a bit, not because I am out of the hobby but because it’s easier to not buy knives. So here I am, log back in after a few months away. My gold has expired, I renew, sell a couple knives and while those sales are waiting to complete I find myself back in the weeds. This thread catches my eye, and here I am buying a new native 5. This place is the Best/ Worst 🤣.

Anyway, I don’t have a native 5 but I will sometime next week haha. Thanks guys!
 
co556guy said:
Can you take a pic of the knife tip folded closed, in relation to the handle that it nests inside.
Click to expand...

SharpBits said:
View attachment 3183689
View attachment 3183688
15V G10 Native 5 I have no idea why people think the tip is so close to the edge of scales.
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I think it’s because the youtoober outdoor55 was complaining about it on one of his posts when he was reviewing a sage in rex121.
I’m not saying I’m agreeing with him, more saying where this came from.

 
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