Native 5 Test Report

[Ankerson]

I ran the Native 5 through my full testing process on rope, cardboard and wood. I reprofiled the edge to 30 degrees inclusive on my Edge Pro finish off with the 400 Grit SIC Congress stone then stropping to remove the burr on a SIC loaded strop.

The edge wasn't touched once the testing began as per my process of testing.


First up was the rope, I made 80 slicing cuts through 5/8" Manila Rope, Manila rope is very hard on the edges and found nothing but normal edge wear going on, the knife would still slice paper easy after the rope.

This is the edge after the rope cutting stage, a few small shiny spots, but nothing out of the ordinary from what I have seen in the past testing other knives and steels.

Next up is the cardboard cutting, I cut up 3 large TP boxes and the knife would still slice paper easy and clean, note the edge wasn't touched after the rope.

Last was the wood cutting, I whittled wood taking thin and thick slices out and then really pushed the edge twisting and torquing the edge while cutting, saw no issues and the knife still will slice paper clean.

Conclusion

The Native 5 performed extremely well and S35VN seems to be a very good steel based on my testing, Spyderco did an excellent job with it. With all the questions about S35VN lately all I can say is it performed well in my testing of the Native 5 and it and the NAtive 5 is highly recommended by me.

 

[RevDevil]

Thanks for the update Jim. :thumbup:

 

[senfinger]

Very nice and well done- Hope to find out what the Sebbie Steel issue was then... HT etc... Thanks Ankerson!!!

 

[D1omedes]

Thanks for the thorough review, Jim. Do you know the RC on your Native 5? I remember Sal mentioning that they may re-heat treat some Native 5's.

 

[Frozy]

Thanks for the testing!

 

[gooeytek]

Good stuff as always, Jim.

 

[Ken44]

Thanks Jim. I thought your test would show the steel to be fine:thumbup:

Very nice and well done- Hope to find out what the Sebbie Steel issue was then... HT etc... Thanks Ankerson!!!

The same You Tuber had the SAME problem with the Native 5, not just a Sebenza. There is no problem with the steel.

Thanks for the thorough review, Jim. Do you know the RC on your Native 5? I remember Sal mentioning that they may re-heat treat some Native 5's.

I don't think Sal would have said that. He did say he would test some because of this one You Tube vid. His test will show the steel to be fine. I think Sal said the RC would average 59.5.

Please people, don't hesitate to buy this steel because of ONE you tube vid.

 

[Ankerson]

Thanks guys.

I really put this one through it, harder than normal because i wanted to see if there was an issue with the steel and or the HT and it did fine.

I knew what I was going to do with this knife before I got it and I had planned on really pushing the heck out of it and I did because I am a bastard when it comes to testing and finding issues if there are any to find.

Can't comment on the CRK.....

Sal did say these are in the 59.7 RC ave though.

 

[D1omedes]

I don't think Sal would have said that. He did say he would test some because of this one You Tube vid. His test will show the steel to be fine. I think Sal said the RC would average 59.5.

Here is what Sal posted on the Spyderco forums. He also added how long it may take.

I am not implying that Spyderco did a bad heat treat to all of the Native 5's - if so, I doubt Jim's test results would be so positive. But there is the possibility that there was a bad batch. I am glad to see how responsive Sal is and this proves Spyderco's dedication to QC.

 

[Ken44]

Here is what Sal posted on the Spyderco forums. He also added how long it may take.

I am not implying that Spyderco did a bad heat treat to all of the Native 5's - if so, I doubt Jim's test results would be so positive. But there is the possibility that there was a bad batch. I am glad to see how responsive Sal is and this proves Spyderco's dedication to QC.

Oh yeah, now I remember reading that. He said he may test some at 62, but IMO that may be to hard for this steel in a hard use situation. In the end I feel Sal will leave the steel at 59.7

 

[rpn]

I've been tempted by the native, that might push me other the top!

Thanks for the write up.

 

[Sal Glesser]

Thanx much Jim.

sal

 

[richstag]

Nice review Ank. Thanks.

 

[Ankerson]

Thanx much Jim.

sal

Hi Sal,

Anytime, it's a really nice knife.

Jim

Nice review Ank. Thanks.

Thanks man.

 

[spydusse]

I still would like to see some tested at 62. With all that was put into getting s30 tougher I think s35vn's added toughness should be taken advantage of

 

[knarfeng]

A great test, Jim! Thanks for that!

I still would like to see some tested at 62. With all that was put into getting s30 tougher I think s35vn's added toughness should be taken advantage of

Mine measured 59.46, which is about dead nuts the 59.5 that Sal cited as their target hardness.

Crucible says the optimum hardness for this alloy is 58-61. So 59.5 is right smack dab in the middle, which is right where it ought to be.

Aim hardness: 58-61 HRC.

http://www.crucibleservice.com/PDFs/\DataSheets2010\dsS35VNrev12010.pdf
see page 2

 

[neuron]

Many thanks for doing the tests, Jim. :thumbup:

 

[popedandy]

Thanks for doing the test. It's nice to see that the knife did well.

 

[spydercofan]

Fantastic, thanks!

 

[skwurll]

Thanks for this test and all of your tests/contributions to this forum! I'm glad S35VN came out with no serious issues in this. As far as the Sebenza that was tested it must have been a fluke or a HT issue.