- Joined
- Feb 2, 2005
- Messages
- 4,271
I received my STR-rebuilt Native back last weekend and had a chance to use her some this week. I thought Id share some of my discoveries and impressions about this very different knife for those who are Native fans or STR fans.
Steve took a standard, Wally-World Native 1, broke her apart, and put the lock and blade in a set of titanium liners that he made. He finished her off with green micarta scales and a titanium clip set for right handed tip down carry. I really love this color combination of green canvas and grey titanium, especially for woods knives.
The clip is not a low rider. It is designed to leave part of the pivot area exposed so I have something to grab and pull. I use a clip only for IWB carry and I wear my shirts loose and out, so my waistband is always covered and nothing prints against my shirt. The other modification that is somewhat unusual is that Steve was able to expose all of the opening hole for me. IMAO, the Native models suffer from an undersized opening hole, so having all of it available to use is critical.
Ive done nothing to the knife except to snug the pivot just a bit and use her some, so you can see from the thumbnails that she came back with flawless F&F. The micarta is a perfect fit for the liners. Everything is well-shaped and mated. The edge bevels are well done and Ive found no rough areas on either side.
The action of opening, locking, unlocking, and closing the knife is somewhat less stiff than in the original FRN format, but no less positive and secure. Its like everything has been smoothed out and oiled for a nice, even glide to the fully open or fully closed position.
The biggest surprise to me was the change in the handling characteristics of this knife once she received liners and scales. To me, the standard Native 1 is a pocket slicer. Its a lightweight clipit and thats what its designed to be. The surprise is that these knives can successfully become so different from their original intention when theyre put into a more robust package. I found that out with the Chase Axinn modded Native that Ive had for a while.
The Natives spear-point blade would seem to be an excellent precision cutter if you choke up enough in your grip to get the control you need. But the original design tends to be blade-heavy. STRs mod has produced a Native that is perfectly balanced in the center of the choil under the opening hole. I can lay this knife on top of one finger at that choil and shell sit there all day. The other pleasant surprise is how much more control I seem to have over a knife when the handle is slightly wider than usual with most factory knives today. STRs model is flat-sided, but the liners and the scales together have increased the width enough so that I can hold onto the sides of the handle as well as the top and bottom and the bevels remove any uncomfortable edges. This knife should be comfortable to use for a long time before any real fatigue sets in.
Now for the bad news. My best mate was over at the house last week and I showed him the STR Native and the Chase Axinn T-Bolt in green micarta that I wanted the Native to match. Sad to say he fell in love with them. I foresee them becoming a Christmas or birthday gift in the near future. The reward is that he is a more frequent hiker/camper than I am and theyll get the use they deserve.
Oh well I still have another off-the-rack Native in the drawer. Hm-m-m titanium liners, bolsters, and wood scales??
Thanks again, Steve. You do first-class work.
Steve took a standard, Wally-World Native 1, broke her apart, and put the lock and blade in a set of titanium liners that he made. He finished her off with green micarta scales and a titanium clip set for right handed tip down carry. I really love this color combination of green canvas and grey titanium, especially for woods knives.
The clip is not a low rider. It is designed to leave part of the pivot area exposed so I have something to grab and pull. I use a clip only for IWB carry and I wear my shirts loose and out, so my waistband is always covered and nothing prints against my shirt. The other modification that is somewhat unusual is that Steve was able to expose all of the opening hole for me. IMAO, the Native models suffer from an undersized opening hole, so having all of it available to use is critical.
Ive done nothing to the knife except to snug the pivot just a bit and use her some, so you can see from the thumbnails that she came back with flawless F&F. The micarta is a perfect fit for the liners. Everything is well-shaped and mated. The edge bevels are well done and Ive found no rough areas on either side.
The action of opening, locking, unlocking, and closing the knife is somewhat less stiff than in the original FRN format, but no less positive and secure. Its like everything has been smoothed out and oiled for a nice, even glide to the fully open or fully closed position.
The biggest surprise to me was the change in the handling characteristics of this knife once she received liners and scales. To me, the standard Native 1 is a pocket slicer. Its a lightweight clipit and thats what its designed to be. The surprise is that these knives can successfully become so different from their original intention when theyre put into a more robust package. I found that out with the Chase Axinn modded Native that Ive had for a while.
The Natives spear-point blade would seem to be an excellent precision cutter if you choke up enough in your grip to get the control you need. But the original design tends to be blade-heavy. STRs mod has produced a Native that is perfectly balanced in the center of the choil under the opening hole. I can lay this knife on top of one finger at that choil and shell sit there all day. The other pleasant surprise is how much more control I seem to have over a knife when the handle is slightly wider than usual with most factory knives today. STRs model is flat-sided, but the liners and the scales together have increased the width enough so that I can hold onto the sides of the handle as well as the top and bottom and the bevels remove any uncomfortable edges. This knife should be comfortable to use for a long time before any real fatigue sets in.
Now for the bad news. My best mate was over at the house last week and I showed him the STR Native and the Chase Axinn T-Bolt in green micarta that I wanted the Native to match. Sad to say he fell in love with them. I foresee them becoming a Christmas or birthday gift in the near future. The reward is that he is a more frequent hiker/camper than I am and theyll get the use they deserve.
Oh well I still have another off-the-rack Native in the drawer. Hm-m-m titanium liners, bolsters, and wood scales??
Thanks again, Steve. You do first-class work.
