Native at Wal Mart

Sal has has explained previously, the Native was specifically designed to appeal to Wal-Mart's customer base. He did extensive research and development on what the average Wal-Mart knife buyer was looking for in a knife and that influenced the design of the Native. Marketing the knife through Wal-Mart has been part of the strategy from day one.
 
If the part about Native being on the top end of price range is indeed correct perhaps Wallmart should look into Byrd line-up of knives ? I mean, they are great knives and they cost less than "regular" Spydercos so they should appeal to WM customer base even more I suppose ...
 
You should handle this knife before you buy. I don't really "get" the handle design but other people here think it's the best ever.

other suggestions: get a Delica or if you want to spend more get a Mini-Manix or a Caly 3.
 
JacksonKnives said:
No kidding? I've never seen a Spyderco in a Wal*Mart... But I suppose there must be different buyers for Canadian stores. :(
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USA WalMart stores have a completely different knife selection than Canadian WalMart stores (larger too). I live in a border city which has WalMart stores on both sides of the border - the USA one carries the Native, the Canadian one doesn't :confused:
 
This is what Sal had to say about the origins of the Native:

07-21-2007, 09:43 AM

sal
Location: Golden, Colorado USA
Posts: 3,586

Hi NativeAmerican,

A company came to us in the mid 90's and asked us to design a knife that would appeal to the Wal-Mart customer. They offered to build and inventory the large amounts needed to be able to work with Wal-Mart.

I spent a fair amount of time in Wal-mart watching customers of knives and speaking with them as to their preferences. The Native design was the result of that investigation.

No hump. It was out first attempt at bi-directional texturing (which we've improved over the years), except for the "fugly" look some have. Large finger chil for control and safety. Good size for general use. The swedge "lightened" the blade. Full flat was considered, but the customer base seemed to prefer the "sexy" grind lines of the current design.

I liked the name "Native" which stood for "Native Amerrican" as the design was born and would be built in the USA.

I felt it was unfair to use the name without somehow compensating the Native American concept. So we set up a percentage of the knives to be sent to the Native American foundation in Denver. We ended up sending $5,000 to the foundation after a few years production.

The knife has presented its challenges but is still being made in the Golden plant. We have been though 3 steel evolutions.

We do have plans to refine the design and "upgrade", but no final design is there yet. Our plan was to go to liners and screw construction. Although with Paul's comment, I guess I need more input on rivets vs screws.

hope that helps.

sal
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I bought one last weekend based on this thread and must say that I'm very happy with it. I didn't care for the grip at first, but have gotten to like my index finger on the choil. It has replaced my grip for EDC for now. At work it's been useful at cutting tight tie wraps with that point. I've used it on a few meals, it slices great and the first day I bought it, it cleaned 3 grouse. Also think it's a handsome knife.
 
I was looking at a Kershaw Scallon at Wal Mart when I saw the Native with the s30v blade for $39 I bought it. I like the knife, its small and sharp and has a good grip. Its not so scary when I open a box in front of customers. Its my first Spiderco. I noticed the rivets but if it holds up for a while I'll be happy .:) Its my new EDC at work. Not as big as my Griptilian which was getting looks when I snapped it open. I was looking at an Endura or a Calipso but for the price w/s30v blade I could not pass it up. I'll get the Kershaw Scallion later it doesn't have as good a blade but I want a pocket knife also.
 
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