Native 5 vs PM2

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PatrickKnight

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Jan 24, 2012
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Looking to possibly get one of these shortly after the first of the year as a new EDC knife. I was wondering if any of you guys have pics of them side by side. Also which would you recommend for someone first Spyderco? I am new to the knife with a hole in it and am looking to pick between these two as my first.

Any input, pictures, or advice is more than welcome.
 
The PM2 is a highly recommended knife. If this is the size that you want then I think it is the best one to go for.

IIRC the Native has a completely different type of lock, and is a bit smaller. There are a lot of different Spydercos to consider, depending on your preference of blade shape, blade length and lock type.
 
I am sure that majority will recommend you Para2. Without of doubts it is a great knife, like few others made by Spyderco. Currently I own two of them. I like it, but there are few Spydies, which I would take before I Para2.
I always liked Natives a lot and used to have several variants. Native was my first Spyderco knife, which I carried for a few month. I always love ergos, but huge swedge was turning me a little off. Native4 was a huge step up due to FFG blade. I carried it for much longer. At least six-seven month. N4 was taking it's turns with Caly3, which finally kicked it out of my pocket and which was replaced with Caly 3.5 later.
I bought my first Native5, when they came out. This was the knife. Incredible feel in the hand. After I started to carry it, I almost stopped using any other knives. (I still carry couple more, just to fill pockets:D). My poor Caly3 and 3.5 are staying home. I feel ashamed to see them sitting on the counter every day. My beloved Persian sees almost no use. Kopa may be was used once within last two weeks. And Native5 does all job. With a blade only 3" long I didn't find it being too short yet. One more time:ergos are fantastic. Like the knife was made for my hand. I like the steel. Even when it loosing initial sharpness, it goes through cardboard boxes like through water. And than few passes on medium rods and it is shaving sharp. I really want to see many Native5 sprints, dealer exclusives: different steels, polished G10, micarta, CF like on Dodo and of cause bone and wood.
If you buy it you will never regret.
 
The native5 in my opinion is severely under represented. It is a fine knife. It should pick up steam in the future as folks figure that out. Still relatively new, its due for sprints in my humble est
 
Well I looked into some other knives as well but these are the only two I found that I really like the look of that come from the Golden plant. I would lovvvvvvvve to see a Native sprint done in CPM 154.
 
Aside from the back lock, the Native 5 is the perfect knife. No offense to the PM2, but it's too big for EDC.
 
I will be predictable & say para2. Just an amazing knife! You can't go wrong with one. Just like being bh49 found "the one" in the Native5, I found "the one" in the para2… In fact I found "the one" three times (ie, I have 3 of them) so far. :-) And I'm looking for the fourth. :-)
 
My first Spyderco was a FRN Native, and currently (amongst other knives) I own both the Para2 and the N5. I'd strongly recommend you to get both if you can. If for any reason you can't, take into consideration which lock do you prefer, and what bladelenght you feel comfortable with. They both offer great ergos and performance, and you won't be disappointed, no matter which one you but.

I must also add that I prefer my N5 just because it reminds me of my first spyderco (which happens to be my first knife, the FRN Native), so I would like to bias my opinion towards it ;)
 
Kowalsky said:
My first Spyderco was a FRN Native, and currently (amongst other knives) I own both the Para2 and the N5. I'd strongly recommend you to get both if you can. If for any reason you can't, take into consideration which lock do you prefer, and what bladelenght you feel comfortable with. They both offer great ergos and performance, and you won't be disappointed, no matter which one you but.

I must also add that I prefer my N5 just because it reminds me of my first spyderco (which happens to be my first knife, the FRN Native), so I would like to bias my opinion towards it ;)
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I totally agree. Buy the PM2 first. You will be able to resell it in a heartbeat. If it's not too big for you, it may be just right.
 
I like the size, weight and feel of the N5, but found it did not have quite enough edge for my EDC purposes--the large choil takes up much of the blade. The Para 2 has more usable edge, enough I think, but it's a lot bigger knife to carry. I prefer the Para 2 overall, but like the handle to blade ratio of the Native 5. I have 3 different flavors of Para 2 and I sold my Native 5, so that's where I stand on the issue.
 
Both are great knives, though I prefer the compression lock, the oversized spidey hole, and the blade shape of the pm2. I like the sharper tip for digging out splinters. Also it is nice not having to fight with para cord to get a lanyard in, if you are a lanyard guy or gal. :P
 
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I have an overly positive perspective to offer about the Native5. I got nothing on it. Blade's perfect for edc. The Native5's bushing system is pretty nifty. It makes the operation smooth like the PM'2's and can certainly be opened AND closed one handed. Spyderco's rep for ergos definitely shines in the Native design. That lock just feels straight up solid, tank like. Very well built the fit and finish is def upscale. Rugged performer, but such a nice pocket jewelery to edc. Let's remember out of all the knives Spyderco offers, a Ti Native5 was gifted to the President of the US!

I've been on a PM2 sprint kick. I wouldn't spend so much if I didn't like the PM2 so much. Both to me are the meat and potatoes of the good stuff.
 
The only thing that seems to turn me off about the PM2 is what looks like a very very fragile tip. Looks like the Native has more meat at the tip than the Para does.
 
PatrickKnight said:
The only thing that seems to turn me off about the PM2 is what looks like a very very fragile tip. Looks like the Native has more meat at the tip than the Para does.
Click to expand...

The tip on the para2 is thin, but definitely not too thin provided you don't abuse your knives. Use the para2 for cutting and you'll never have a problem with the tip. In fact, I absolutely love the splinter picker tip on the para2. A thin, pointy tip is far more useful to me than a thick, beefy one.
 
I have both, and although I really like the G10 and FFG blade on the Native 5, it's still not as good of an overall EDC knife as the PM2 is.
 
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