Native Disassembly?

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Dec 15, 2005
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124
If I'm seeing right, the "lightweight" version is pinned, but the G10 version's scales are screwed into the frame.

I looked around on YouTube but couldn't find any videos specifically for the Native G10 that show disassembly and swapping out the scales.

I'm assuming it's possible but figured I'd ask.

I don't have much experience taking folders apart or pimping out the scales... yet. But I'd like to take a shot at it with the Native.

I also haven't see any after-market G10 textured scales for the Native, so I'm guessing I'd have to buy a piece and cut it out myself. Can someone recommend what thickness I would need to use?

Also wondering it the liner/frame could be left out when reassembling. I saw one guys video (5:11/8:27) that shows a Manix 2 where the frame was left out and it's just G10. I don't see why this couldn't be done with the Native, but again, I don't have much background modding knives so I figured I'd ask.
 
5 seems to be the most readily available at the moment...
Is there a G10 version for all of the previous versions?
 
Kinda off topic, but I'm curious if taking the Native apart voids the warrantee? I ask just from a cleaning and lubing the knife perspective.
 
Kinda off topic, but I'm curious if taking the Native apart voids the warrantee? I ask just from a cleaning and lubing the knife perspective.

This question always generates extended contention, but... ;) ...here goes.

The short answer is yes, disassemble your knife and the warranty is void.

The practical answer is that if a problem develops that wasn't caused or aggravated by disassembly, Spyderco is very likely to fix the problem under warranty.

Or, put differently, Spyderco doesn't want to be responsible for anything that results from disassembly, but they'll treat you fairly.
 
Spydercos are designed so that dis-assembly is not needed for routine maintenance. Hot soapy water and a tooth brush, followed by drying with a paper towel will take care of most everything. A WD-40 bath helps as well. If you're scared about water, blow dry with air. Of course, lubricate with the lube of your choice. All my spydercos are users (15-20 years) and never have required dis-assembly. They do require cleaning, especially when carelessly not wiping it off after cutting grapefruit and then letting it dry for a week or so :)
 
Kinda off topic, but I'm curious if taking the Native apart voids the warrantee? I ask just from a cleaning and lubing the knife perspective.

This is kind of tricky question. Per Spyderco website:
http://www.spyderco.com/edge-u-cation/index.php?item=10

" Spyderco’s warranty does not cover damage caused by abuse, misuse, loss, improper handling, alterations, accident, neglect, disassembly, or improper sharpening."

Which I can interpret as if you damage during disassembly or assembly, this is not covered. But I remember that is the past somebody from Spyderco commented that disassembly is voiding warranty.
 
I don't have much experience taking folders apart or pimping out the scales... yet. But I'd like to take a shot at it with the Native.

It is quite simple to take Native5 apart. I was in the same shoes couple years ago, when I ordered custom scales for my Native5. I never took a knife apart before that. You will need torx set for this work.
1. Take out a clip.
2. Place the knife with right scale down. Unscrew all four screws. After that you will be able to remove left scale, liner and a washer.
3. Remove a blade, second washer and a spring.
4. Remove screws from opposite side, which will allow you to take apart lockbar, back spacer, liner and right scale.

Assemble in opposite orders, but be careful tightening screws. It is easy to move the blade off center, if you will not do this careful, but it is also easy to fix. Do not tighten any screw at once. Tighten all screw partially, than tighten more. If the blade will be off center, loose screws, move the blade to the center and tighten again.
Regarding after market scales, there is one maker here on BF can help. I do not remember his name, but he made very nice scales for Radioactive. Cuscadi also can help, but most likely this will be more expensive and takes longer due to the company location in Germany.
Good luck
 
As bh49 as described it is quite easy to change the scales on the Native 5. Scales pictured are from Cuscadi.

 
Great info... thanks everyone.
I'm guessing swapping out the scales voids the warranty since you need to disassemble it?

This is definitely encouraging though.... I feel like this is something I could do.
Wondering if the stock G10 scales are thick enough to get a texturing like this
5b2374482e58b3a81e47111c28863175.jpg

I know it's not a Native.
I'd also love to stonewash the blade... looks pretty amazing. I saw some DIY threads about that as well. I have a Strider Buck Tarani I can practice some of this on before committing to a buy on the Native.
 
The stock native scales are fairly thin at about .94" so there isn't much room for texturing. Could be done but it will have to be shallow cuts.
Here's the native I did for Radioactive a while back with ⅛" G10. Thanks for the mention bh49.

 
The stock native scales are fairly thin at about .94" so there isn't much room for texturing. Could be done but it will have to be shallow cuts.
Here's the native I did for Radioactive a while back with ⅛" G10. Thanks for the mention bh49.


Awesome, thanks for the info... that looks real nice.
 
If I'm seeing right, the "lightweight" version is pinned, but the G10 version's scales are screwed into the frame.

I looked around on YouTube but couldn't find any videos specifically for the Native G10 that show disassembly and swapping out the scales.

I'm assuming it's possible but figured I'd ask.

I don't have much experience taking folders apart or pimping out the scales... yet. But I'd like to take a shot at it with the Native.

I also haven't see any after-market G10 textured scales for the Native, so I'm guessing I'd have to buy a piece and cut it out myself. Can someone recommend what thickness I would need to use?

Also wondering it the liner/frame could be left out when reassembling. I saw one guys video (5:11/8:27) that shows a Manix 2 where the frame was left out and it's just G10. I don't see why this couldn't be done with the Native, but again, I don't have much background modding knives so I figured I'd ask.
My lightweight is screw together construction. My Manix 2 lightweight however is pinned everywhere but the pivot
 
How did I miss this thread... shows it fully disassembled.

ETA: Also, does anyone know of any tutorials for texturing G10 like the knife I posted above? I started playing around today and I could see wasting a lot of G10 perfecting that technique.
Wondering what people do after they've ground out the texturing to bring the color back? Do they coat it or laminate it with something?

I never removed the pin when disassembling mine. Was still able to remove the lockbar

And you're talking about the lightweight? Good to know.
 
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The lockbar ought to slide off the pin once the side has been removed, I just got home with my new Native 5 FRN, but unfortunately don't have the right size torx to attempt a disassembly (or adjust the pocket clip) - actually don't spyderco knives come with a tool to adjust the clip? mine must have fallen out in the store while I was looking at the knife...
 
The lockbar ought to slide off the pin once the side has been removed, I just got home with my new Native 5 FRN, but unfortunately don't have the right size torx to attempt a disassembly (or adjust the pocket clip) - actually don't spyderco knives come with a tool to adjust the clip? mine must have fallen out in the store while I was looking at the knife...

I've never seen a tool in any of my Spyderco boxes...

For clips, you'll want a T6. T8 for most body screws, and T10 for most pivots.
 
Hey, I recognize that sweet looking orange Native 5! I can't express in words how awesomely precise and beautiful Steve Ketchen's scales are, he continues to outdo himself with every project it seems! He made the orange Anso sculpted G10 scales above and fixed up my Cuscadi desert ironwood ones as well (sunk the screws better, gave it his high sanding/polish). Steve's also outfitted my Domino, Dice and Southard in desert ironwood, another Southard in Ctek, and several more scales are planned for this year! Definitely check out his BF thread (especially his most recent black and white Micarta Native with the red pinstripe, holy cow!!).

So, needless to say, the Spyderco Native 5 is definitely mod-worthy!! Thanks again to Steve and also Luke at Cuscadi, who's another great source of scales. Cheers, DI aka Radioactive :)

Native 5s:
15DAD19D-36BE-4968-9D5F-38948EEC8EC4_zps7bbg24dm.jpg


Dice:
8C84D242-6A05-4DDF-B318-1E6913058E1E_zpsm58nbpwl.jpg


Domino:
8C45F4B7-F76E-4C9D-80DE-345FDD33A77E_zpszot3crti.jpg


Southards:
9B7AFA0E-9EF9-4236-9A0C-69CB9B3BAC15_zpsdrha606n.jpg
 
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