Native 5? Thoughts?

S

shady A.M.

Joined
Jul 28, 2004
Messages
654
I'm re-evaluating my collection/edc knives this fall and I'm switching all or most of my knives completely over to Spyderco. I'm already a huge Spyderco fan, just curious what are the thoughts on the Native 5? It's one of the updated models that came out last year and it just didn't generate as much buzz as I thought it would. I figured with the update midlock, G10 scales and new steel more people would be talking about it.

For what it's worth, I did own a Native 4 for a short time. Nice knife but the scales were way too slippery for me. I'm tempted to pick up the 5 and give it a try. Any thoughts?
 
shady A.M. said:
For what it's worth, I did own a Native 4 for a short time. Nice knife but the scales were way too slippery for me. I'm tempted to pick up the 5 and give it a try. Any thoughts?
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I also found the Native lV slippery, gave it away a couple years ago. Picked up the Native V in May, this is one tough little knife. Kinda reminds be of a little original Manix.
 
That's what I was hoping to hear. The Native IV felt like a really fine gentleman's knife. Lately I've been carrying Strider SnGs and an SJ75s... but the Native V looks like a good replacement for my SJ...

Btw, the Striders are great knives but I need to cut back on my collection and I'm a devoted Spyderco user...
 
I really like the lock, handle and blade shape of the V over the previous models. For me... it's just a little too heavy for its size. Anxiously awaiting an FRN version.
 
Your right it does feel a little heavy. That's one of the things along with the solid feel I love about this one.
It aint no Delica that's for sure. :p
 
If you liked the Native IV aside from the slipperiness, you will probably like the Native V. It's a bit thicker, a bit heavier, and the G-10 definitely provides more traction. As others have noted, it's an extremely robust feeling knife. Think its main problem is that there are so many excellent Spyderco midlocks with blades around 3".
 
Deacon,

I couldn't agree with you more... if there's one thing that Spyderco models suffer from is that they are really good about providing an abundance of models in the same class. I'm definitely going to get a Native V. As long as the weight is under 4oz it's not an issue for me. Thanks for the feedback guys.
 
I'm currently being forced to carry a Titan Native testing the production piece. :o I'm impressed with what the Golden knifemakers have accomplished.

sal
 
The Native 5 is great.
My dad recently got one...he wanted to get two, but he has to wait till it's back in stock.

My wife likes it too, and I'll be getting her one at some point as well.

Well made, big enough without being too big, grippy enough handle, just well though out overall. :)
 
Sal Glesser said:
I'm currently being forced to carry a Titan Native testing the production piece. :o

sal
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Sal,
I feel for you and will be more than happy to help you and share this this burden or even to take it permanently :D :D:)
Roman
 
Sal Glesser said:
I'm currently being forced to carry a Titan Native testing the production piece. :o I'm impressed with what the Golden knifemakers have accomplished.

sal
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I'd be pleased and honored to relieve you of that terrible burden. That's just the kind of caring, giving guy that I am. :D
 
I don't love it, oddly enough, despite having carried a Native for over 10 years.

Various forms of Manix 2 (Translucent Blue and XL especially) are what I almost always carry now.

John
 
John,

That's exactly why I want to give the Native V a try. I've owned both the Mini Manix and the Manix II (sprints as well) and I never really warmed to them, even though they both meet all my criteria for EDC use. I'm convinced that I just have to try the Native for a while. I'm glad Spyderco offers so many different flavors...
 
Sal Glesser said:
I'm currently being forced to carry a Titan Native testing the production piece. :o I'm impressed with what the Golden knifemakers have accomplished.

sal
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I've been waiting for this one since first hearing about it.....the fluting looks awesome
 
Sal Glesser said:
I'm currently being forced to carry a Titan Native testing the production piece. :o I'm impressed with what the Golden knifemakers have accomplished.

sal
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Sal - that new Native looks simply amazing in the picture - and I'm sure it is even better up close.

You guys have really upped the ante on sophisticated knives recently - with the Air, the Memory, the Ti Native, the "stealth" Chaparral, and the new version of the fluted Millie. I love it!

TedP
 
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Got mine about a week ago. Love everything about it. Grippy G10. Perfect size for EDC. Lock is fantastic. Awesome slicer. Ergonomics almost as good as the Para2. I think I prefer it to my Para2 but it's close
 
Hi Ground&Pound,

Welcome to the Spyderco forum and thanx much for the kind words.

sal
 
Hello,

I'm EDCing a Native 5 for a year now.
This knife has been in competition for pocket carrying with Cold Steel Triadlock's (Voyager, Recon, Lawman...) and even a convexed Izula (with G10 handles from The Knife Connection and a Sharpshooter sheath) and....
My Native 5 is better than them. No way.
Why ?

First: reliability. That well thought improvements on the backlock made it sweet/easy to open and ever sweeter to close. And gravity is my friend.
After a year of push cutting hard materials: no vertical play at all.
Second: the blade is gorgeous and keep its edge. Thin ground CPM-S35VN as heat treated by Golden is my leather belt best friend !!!
Third: ergonomy is its second name. Now this is a question of taste. But my N5 and my hands were in love at first sight.
Fourth: sheeples don't mind about it... Mine was borrowed and used many times and returned to me with a question: where can I buy this knife ?

The Native 5 is a great EDC which have been able to hold my Sebenza in the safe. It was even able to reconsider the value of the great Sage series (my Sage 2 is crying alone in its box since I got the N5)
The Titan version is going to be a pure wonder and the slipjoint version is going to be a must have.
But this G10 version is in my pocket. Right now preparing a 3 week trip. And it gonna stay there. :-)

Sharp, reliable, ergonomic. This is the Native 5.
Cheers
Nemo
 
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