Native 5 LW choices

olywa

olywa

Joined
Nov 4, 2007
Messages
220
I currently have a g10 native 5 in s35. I'm pondering getting a lightweight because of how much I enjoy my manix 2 LW. Is the s110 steel worth the extra cost over the s35 for normal EDC use?

To be honest, what I like most about the s110 version is the blue frn. I've been pretty happy with s35 so it's mostly coming down to aesthetics for me at this point.

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olywa said:
I currently have a g10 native 5 in s35. I'm pondering getting a lightweight because of how much I enjoy my manix 2 LW. Is the s110 steel worth the extra cost over the s35 for normal EDC use?

To be honest, what I like most about the s110 version is the blue frn. I've been pretty happy with s35 so it's mostly coming down to aesthetics for me at this point.
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I think whether or not S110V is worth the additional cost over S35VN is a personal preference thing. I have a couple knives in S110V (including an M2 LW) and I like it but I think the well-balanced S35VN is a little better for my needs. Out of all my Natives my black FRN S35VN LW is my most carried and used. Deployment is really smooth, the blade drops nicely when the lock bar is depressed, and it's easy to get sticky sharp. I'll likely end up with a S110V LW at some point but more because I like the color of the scales rather than having the need/desire for the S110V steel.
 
It is a personal preference. If you like the blue and you are a proficient sharpener then just go for the blue. They are both good steels. S110V is not my favorite steel but I carry the 2013 forum Native5 fairly often because green is my favorite color and I am active on the Spyderco Forum. It doesn't always have to be about performance.
 
Yup, I'll prolly be happy with either. Spyderco steels are all pretty good so looks are starting to play a bigger part in my purchase decisions.

Now if they'll just bring out a translucent orange frn Native or Manix with a black blade...

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Isn't there a N5 in Maxamet coming soon? I'm waiting for that one, personally. I am in love with maxamet. To date, the best steel I've ever used in an all-around way. Absolutely ridiculous edge holding and seems to be tough enough for EDC. Noticeably better edge retention than M4, but performs the same way. Where 110v and the other high carbide stainless steels settle into a working edge fast, maxamet (and M4) seem to hold onto a high sharpness for longer, and dull a lot more linearly.

I love the way highly alloyed carbon steels perform.
 
The S110v Lightweight is my favorite of all my Natives aside from the Fluted Ti. I've beaten my s35vn black LW alot and the steel is seriously great for EDC, but the blue on the LWs is just perfect IMO, and I like the blade finish better than the S35vn as well. If I could only keep one Native (yikes, I just realized I have 7), it would be the S110v lightweight or the fluted Ti. Maxamet should drop soon though.

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AwayFromMySpydieHole said:
I love the way highly alloyed carbon steels perform.
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Same here.
The "working edge", which is so commonly referred to with stainless steels, I call a "damaged edge".
While this damaged edge may still cut rope and cardboard effectively, ain't worth a crap for plastics, rubber, and other like substances, which require a high sharpness fine edge..
 
I pondered one of these LW versions to go with my manix 2LW. Something about no liners just bothers me on these knives.
 
It shouldn't. Many very rugged knives have no liners, such as the Pacific Salt and Cold Steel Recon1 and the Benchmade Griptilian only has partial liners.
 
bearfacedkiller said:
It is a personal preference. If you like the blue and you are a proficient sharpener then just go for the blue. They are both good steels. S110V is not my favorite steel but I carry the 2013 forum Native5 fairly often because green is my favorite color and I am active on the Spyderco Forum. It doesn't always have to be about performance.
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This is very true. I have so far avoided S110V as I am one of those wierd ducks that likes quick and easy touch ups.

AwayFromMySpydieHole said:
Isn't there a N5 in Maxamet coming soon? I'm waiting for that one, personally. I am in love with maxamet. To date, the best steel I've ever used in an all-around way. Absolutely ridiculous edge holding and seems to be tough enough for EDC. Noticeably better edge retention than M4, but performs the same way. Where 110v and the other high carbide stainless steels settle into a working edge fast, maxamet (and M4) seem to hold onto a high sharpness for longer, and dull a lot more linearly.

I love the way highly alloyed carbon steels perform.
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Me too. I am a bit of an M4 junkie.

DocT said:
It shouldn't. Many very rugged knives have no liners, such as the Pacific Salt and Cold Steel Recon1 and the Benchmade Griptilian only has partial liners.
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I have found that the Native LW performs like it has liners. No problems that I can discern.
 
A.P.F. said:
This is very true. I have so far avoided S110V as I am one of those wierd ducks that likes quick and easy touch ups.



Me too. I am a bit of an M4 junkie.



I have found that the Native LW performs like it has liners. No problems that I can discern.
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I'll avoid s110v for now, bought a military in this steel. I just couldn't seem to get the edge I wanted with it. Some love it, I'd go with any other steel. I'd be interested in the native 5 lw maxamet.
 
A.P.F. said:
This is very true. I have so far avoided S110V as I am one of those wierd ducks that likes quick and easy touch ups.



Me too. I am a bit of an M4 junkie.



I have found that the Native LW performs like it has liners. No problems that I can discern.
Click to expand...


Me too, I absolutely love M4. I was deeply saddened to miss the Para 2 M4 sprint. :(

Maxamet feels like M4, in that it dulls in the same way, it just vastly outperforms it in every way from what I've seen so far. It does patina faster though, but no rust yet.

Krav said:
I'll avoid s110v for now, bought a military in this steel. I just couldn't seem to get the edge I wanted with it. Some love it, I'd go with any other steel. I'd be interested in the native 5 lw maxamet.
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If you haven't tried Maxamet yet, you should. Or just wait on the N5 in maxamet. I promise you that you will love it, especially if 110v didn't tickle your fancy.
 
AwayFromMySpydieHole said:
Me too, I absolutely love M4. I was deeply saddened to miss the Para 2 M4 sprint. :(

Maxamet feels like M4, in that it dulls in the same way, it just vastly outperforms it in every way from what I've seen so far. It does patina faster though, but no rust yet.




If you haven't tried Maxamet yet, you should. Or just wait on the N5 in maxamet. I promise you that you will love it, especially if 110v didn't tickle your fancy.
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Now you have me waiting for the maxamet. My plastic and my wife will kill me! Note that I did not say my plastic wife. :D
 
A.P.F. said:
Now you have me waiting for the maxamet. My plastic and my wife will kill me! Note that I did not say my plastic wife. :D
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Haha go for it man!

Just for kicks I just broke down a large box in my office that our paper shipments come in. It is VERY tough cardboard. I bisected the box and broke one half down with my maxamet manix, and the other side down with my m390 para 2. Both were well beyond shaving sharp before I did it. I did just about the same number of cuts.

The maxamet is still perfect. I am not even joking when I say that when cutting paper I literally cannot even tell that it cut anything. It feels just like it did prior to cutting. Zips right through the paper like a laser.

The m390 para 2 feels "hairy" when cutting paper and has a couple edge dings. Nothing you can see, just the ones that catch paper that we all have from time to time.


Maxamet performs leaps and bounds better than anything I've ever used, and I've just about used it all. It is absolutely my favorite steel and I will buy multiples of anything it is ever made in!

That probably doesn't help your credit card. Sorry in advance. :)
 
I agree. The only reason for me to choose S110V over Maxamet would be corrosion resistance and maybe price. I have had both the Mule and the ManixLW in Maxamet since they came out and it is amazing. I don't find it hard to sharpen at all and it holds an edge very well. I have also had no durability issues with it but I am not that hard on knives. I did use it to make a soda can alcohol stove including cutting the dome out of the bottom of the can and poking all the holes in it and the knife showed zero wear and was still shaving sharp. I actually cut up a few soda cans with it and it. Cruwear and Maxamet are currently my favorite steels for folders depending on what I need.
 
Been wanting to try a Native in s110v but haven't been able to pull the trigger yet. I do carry my Lightweight in s35 quite often. It is still pretty stiff though. Curious about the Maxamet but would also like to see a Cruwear version!
 
Better aesthetics with a "better" steel? It would be worth the extra cost to me but only you can decide for you....
 
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