Native GIN 1 vs. CPM440V

BOK

BOK

Joined
Apr 16, 2002
Messages
2,413
Does anyone have both? Which of the steels do you prefer for your usage?

Personally I think I like the GIN 1 more for ease of sharpening.
Also I prefer the look of the SS clip rather than the black coated one. I'll probably pick up a serrated one also but was pondering on which steel I should get.

Any user opinions out there?
 
I have a GIN-1 Native and I also would like to hear from someone who has both a GIN-1 and a 440V Native.

I primarily use a steel to sharpen my knives and my GIN-1 Native pops right into sharp with only a few strokes.
Of course, I don't think GIN-1 holds an edge particularly well, but then I don't have to take off any steel when I sharpen it and so I don't mind.

If I needed my Native as a survival type knife, edge-holding might matter more.

I would like to see a picture of the new 3D Native with a VG-10 blade.
Moteng.com lists 3D Natives for sale (dealers only) with a picture soon to come.
It seems like two weeks since they've said they would have a picture soon.

Anyway, I've heard very good things about VG-10.
Supposedly, it cuts very aggressively with little pressure.
The Japanese designed it for the horticulture industry: they needed something that would cut plants for grafting purposes without crushing their capillaries.
 
Well I have the 440V version of the Native and I love it.
VG10 may take a crazy edge, but I don't think it's as aggressive as the finish that spyderco put on their 440v.
I was cutting 550 paracord that had been melted a little bit by the flame so that it would not fray, and the VG10 Endura doesn't do as well as the 440V Native.
 
I have one of the BF Blue Natives with the CPM440V blade and I love it so much that I bought a couple of the Lightweights when they first came out to give to two very good friends. I also have other CPM440V blades and I love all of them. But it did take me a bit to get used to the sharpening routine, which is, (1) Never let it get too dull, always touch it up on a regular basis, and (2) Use a SharpMaker 204, it is just so much easier to get the ultra fine edge with it.
 
How interesting that the 440V cuts paracord more aggressively than does VG-10.

I would like to know more about the Sharpmaker 204.
Where can I see one?
 
Ken: think of the 550 paracord as hardened... cause I was trying to seal its edges, and I actually slightly melted the cord before I cut. The VG10 blade just doesn't cut as easily as the 440V in my experience.
 
Originally posted by Ken Cox
How interesting that the 440V cuts paracord more aggressively than does VG-10.

I would like to know more about the Sharpmaker 204.
Where can I see one?
Click to expand...

Ken, this is from Spyderco's web page. I hope that it gets you there. The 204 is the current version of their SharpMaker Triangle Hone System.

http://www.spyderco.com/dealer_prod...1030&mscssid=0DDA6D32LWXT8GTG1719AE78ATUS0RJ2

Also, I need to add to my prior post that I have found that using the 30 degree setting seems to work better on the Spyderco knives than the 40 degree setting. I seem to remember Sal posting something to that effect a very long time ago.
 
While I'm actually here trying to get back up to speed on things (it's been a while since I've been on the forums but I'm feeling oddly knife deficient despite having a native in my pocket and a VG-10 Viele about 6 inches from me :P), I'll toss in my support of the 440V Native. A sharpmaker makes touching up the blade a breeze, even if you get lazy like me and don't sharpen it for a few months.
 
The link to the Sharpmaker worked.
Thanks.
Please describe its dimensions.

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Tell me about the BF Blue Native.

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Spyderco, or some online retailer, could put together a collector's package, which would include all of the Natives at a relatively bargain price.
They could.
I guess it would cost too much.

I still haven't seen a picture of the 3D Native.

If the new LARGE Native doesn't show up soon, I'll buy the 440V version to go with my GIN-1.
That'll make my knife purchase for the year.
 
Ken: "The link to the Sharpmaker worked.
Thanks.
Please describe its dimensions."

When everything is stored, it's about a 6" X 2" X 1" boxy package. When set up, you'll have 2 brass safety rods and 2 ceramic sharpening rods sticking out about 6 inches high within a 4 or 5 inch area. The size makes it convenient for working at a desk, just make sure your coworkers understand you :D

"Tell me about the BF Blue Native."

For a while, BF was selling special Natives in order to make money to pay the costs of running the forums. 300 were made with plain and 50/50 edges available. Handles were made out of blue G-10 and the blades were CPM 440v. "Bladeforums" was etched onto the blade, along with "1 of 300." They weren't serial numbered, just limited in quantity. I'm not sure when they were made, I picked up one of the last ones sold by the site store shortly after I registered about 3 years ago. First Spyderco I got and its led me into a very enjoyable addiction.
 
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