Native IV, blown away by the quality

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enderwiggin

Joined
Nov 18, 2006
Messages
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My Carbon Fiber Native just arrived. I plan on posting a review thread later on with photos, but for now--wow. I just had to express how happy I am with this knife.

I'm not sure if it's just been a while since I handled a FRN Native, but the knife seems smaller all around. The scales are slimmer, the blade doesn't seem like it's as tall. It folds into a slim, compact, attractive package.

It's also a joy to handle. Just taking it out of the box, it's up with (in ergos) the Caly 3.

I have to say, I wasn't all that impressed with the FRN Native I owned, but holding this knife makes me understand why the Native is such a legendary EDC.

Originally, I intended to post a Native vs. Sage review, but it's apparent to me that they're entirely different knives. I was expecting the Native to be closer to the size of the Sage. It's not, but it's still a hand-filling, comfortable design.

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To summarize: Wow.
 
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I think the Native is so popular because it was one of the first knives to bring the next generation of ergonomics to an accessible price range. I've bought (and subsequently given as gifts) two different natives and they both felt great.
 
Man could you compare the natvie and the Sage in pictures side by side????

I love my sage , at the sage price i think it is the best deal for the money.

Is the native much smaller?

Sixheads
 
I can't tell the difference between the Native IV and the Sage. I feel like since I've got the Sage, I don't need the new native ($$$). Unless I had unlimited budget ;)
Seriously, what is the difference between them?
 
Wait..does the 3 have vg-10 or does it have s30v? Because I thought mine was the 4, but I don't have gimping on my choil.
 
WoodenChicken said:
I can't tell the difference between the Native IV and the Sage. I feel like since I've got the Sage, I don't need the new native ($$$). Unless I had unlimited budget ;)
Seriously, what is the difference between them?
Click to expand...

Sage - S30V, Liner-lock, a bit of a thumb-ramp with jimping, wire clip
Native IV - VG-10, Lockback, no thumb-ramp or jimping, standard clip - rides higher in the pocket.
 
chanwahyaoh said:
Sage - S30V, Liner-lock, a bit of a thumb-ramp with jimping, wire clip
Native IV - VG-10, Lockback, no thumb-ramp or jimping, standard clip - rides higher in the pocket.
Click to expand...

The Native IV is also a more solid feeling knife, where the Sage feels like a lightweight lighter use knife. The Native's back is closed with where the Sage is open construction, and the Sage also has a more leaf-shaped blade where the Native has a leaf-like Spear-point blade with a swedge.

And even though they look very similar in pictures, the ergos on the handles are not at all the same. The Sage's handle is a little big in some odd places, and the wire clip interferes with your grip. The Native's grip just melts into the hand, and the clip is well out of the way.

Notice, also, that there's a texture on the Sage's handle. It's pretty cool, actually--it follows the lines of the carbon weave. The Sage also has recessed screws on both sides, where the Native's slabs are smooth with screws that form a bump on the opposite side.

The Native is a washerless design, where the Sage has phosphor bronze washers. This also means the Native is slimmer than the Sage.

**Edit: I was wrong, the Native DOES in fact have washers. I found them when I took it apart to lube it. They're small, and hidden by the tolerances of the blade and scales.**


The Native is also a more compact knife, and feels a lot smaller in pocket.

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Great shots Enderwiggin, thanx much.

The Caly3, Native4 and Sage are all 3" blade folders, all fairly evolved in design.

The Caly3 is a thinner model with a "large hump". The Native4 is wider and "humpless". the Sage is a synthesis of the two.

Sometimes you feel like a hump, sometimes you don't, and sometimes you're not sure? :rolleyes:

the Native4 and Caly3 are mid lock-backs.

The Sage is part of a series that honors lock designs of different designers and inventors.

sal
 
Thanks for the kind words, Sal.

I'm really glad I was introduced to Spyderco designs. It's a pleasure to be able to hold tools as well designed as these are, and the Sage I wasn't 100% sure I liked seems to be finding it's way into my pocket more and more.
 
The CF Native is a real nice knife. I was playing with one at my friends shop yesterday.
The FRN Native was never a knife i was grabed by but the full flat grind and
the CF scales just make it a totally differnt knife IMO. :thumbup:
 
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