Native IV Field Test

N

notos&w

Joined
Jul 17, 2002
Messages
650
I've commented on this knife several times over the last few months. Although I have used it routinely since July, of late I have the opportunity over the past month to use it for more demanding tasks.

So far this season, I've used my Native IV to skin, clean and process two deer and four squirrels. The Native has performed very well. The deep choil, often criticized for costing blade length, allows you to really choke up on the knife to get in close with lots of control. The edge has performed exceptionally. It remained hair shaving sharp and with just a little touch up was hair popping. Even when breaking bone (cut off squirrel legs, head) the edge did not chip or roll. Being VG10, I just washed it off well with soap and water, dried the exterior, blew out the interior and left open to dry. A touch up on the Sharpmaker and a little oil, it was back in my pocket in less than an hour.

Although not important to function, the CF is eye pleasing. This is one of the reasons I carry the knife in the office so often. Plus, I just like it.

Even though my hands were cold and covered in blood, the CF was not slippery.
 
hah nice to see someone who isn't scared to get down and dirty with the classy looking carbon fiber!

Been looking to get one of the Native CF, especially when they can be had for 100 shipped
 
Did the lack of jimping on the top of the blade bother you? This is the only Native that lacks that feature.
 
No, the lack of jimping on the spine did not bother me. Did not miss it. Have not missed it, ever.
 
I'd like it better if it had a wire clip for deep pocket carry and jimping on the spine. It's a good knife though.
 
Jimdel said:
I'd like it better if it had a wire clip for deep pocket carry and jimping on the spine. It's a good knife though.
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I agree on the jimping part. I've obtained one recently (NIB) and that was the first thing that made the knife feel naked, so to speak.:D
The smoothness of the CF scales makes it seem like it would be tough to grip (despite the choil) once wet. I'm thinking this isn't the case though.:confused:
 
I much prefer the handle shape of the Native III. It provides a much better grip, in my opinion.

What I would love to see:

a III in G10, with a tip-down clip. Ah well.
 
Thanx Notos&w,

Appreciate the comments. Our knives are designed and manufactured to be used. Often the more expensive models are not used as hard as they are designed to handle.

Carbon fiber is stronger, so it can be used in thinner cross sections (thinner knife) without giving up strength. It just happens to be eye appealing.

We're pleased that it served your needs well.

sal
 
Sal, I take it that you too find it ironic that the more expensive models, usually designed to be more robust, end up getting preferential (read: lighter duty) treatment due to the cost. It makes sense (more to lose) but but as a designer you must find it frustrating at times. I'll do my best to give this knife no special treatment. ;)
 
I took a NIB Native 4 in on a trade, thinking it would only be "trade bait"and wouldn't ya know.... I really like the little guy, in fact so much so I even put my own edge on it and put it in my pocket..... Then even cut stuff with it :D


It's mine now! :D

Nice knife, just wish we could have one that was about the size of the stretch 2, hear me Sal? :D
 
Thanks for the review! I'm getting my Native 4 in a week and the wait is driving me crazy. I love the other Natives, but ever since I got my first one I've dreamt about a flat ground version.
 
I like this Native 4 and I'm impressed with what I've read along with this really good "REVIEW" about it. But I have 2 pressing questions.

Being I like the Golden CO made Native the best; so with that being said I'm wondering if Spyderco has any plans to upgrade or revamp the Great Golden Colorado made Native? If so with what blade steel?

Now back to the Native 4. IS the Native 4 going to be offered in the same serrated configuration that the traditional Native model has? Also is the Native 4 ever going to be offered in ZDP-189?

I truly think the Spyderco Native is the most taken for granted and overlooked model in the entire line up. Because I started carrying my 440V, SE Golden version just because I was doing an extremely nasty job and I didn't want to use any of my higher end Spydies on that job. The Native grew on me very quickly. I had always underestimated it.
 
Yes, there will be a CO version of the Native IV. It will be in FRN. I don't recall the steel but am guessing S30V. Sal said they are almost finished perfecting the lock dynamics. Hopefully that means it will be out in the next few months.

The current Native IV is discontinued, IIRC. So I wouldn't my breath for any variations.
 
Sal Glesser said:
Thanx Notos&w,

Appreciate the comments. Our knives are designed and manufactured to be used. Often the more expensive models are not used as hard as they are designed to handle.

Carbon fiber is stronger, so it can be used in thinner cross sections (thinner knife) without giving up strength. It just happens to be eye appealing.

We're pleased that it served your needs well.

sal
Click to expand...


Yeah, yeah... I'll believe it when I have "Tuff" in my hands, being used...
WHEN WILL THIS HAPPEN? :)
In your opinion, Sir Sal, how does Carbon Fiber compare to G10 in terms of toughness and durability? (They only Spyderco CF I have is the BG-42 Millie... and let me just say... Heck, I don't need to, it's already been said many times here... )

Oh, yeah, back on topic. My only Native is one of the Walmart s30v variety. I office with some people who would probably call it a "Machete" or accuse me of carrying a "Bowie Knife" if they saw it... On the other hand, today I'm packing a Becker Necker, so that tells you how much I care about the opinions of the non-knife people among us. :)

Good review, I'm I'm intruiged that you use it to clean such a broad range of animals (size-wise)... I'd worry that the pointy tip may be a little unsafe around certain internal organs...

Your write-up was very interesting. Thanks!
 
ohmyheckinslc said:
I'd worry that the pointy tip may be a little unsafe around certain internal organs...
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That is the one thing I left out of my review. Actually, I find the pointy tip very helpful. I'll spare any non-hunters the gory details but sometimes you just need to poke through something and a sharp point is good for that. Gotta be careful, though, as you apparently know well.
 
Hey Ohmyheckinslc,

We have found a maker that has the skill and capacity to make the Tuff. We'll be beginning development in 2010. There are several refinements that we'd like to add to the design.

sal
 
Sal Glesser said:
Hey Ohmyheckinslc,

We have found a maker that has the skill and capacity to make the Tuff. We'll be beginning development in 2010. There are several refinements that we'd like to add to the design.

sal
Click to expand...

Send me a proto to beat up... I'd be glad to help! :D
 
The Native 4 is my first Spyderco and I like it. The other day I noticed some wiggle in the mechanism, which surprised me to say the least, I flipped it over and saw much to my dismay that a part of the blade pin was missing ! I notified Spyderco and they said they would send me out a new pin. Thats good customer service, even though I don't think this should have happened with such a new knife, one a month old.
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notos&w said:
This is one of the reasons I carry the knife in the office so often.....Even though my hands were cold and covered in blood, the CF was not slippery.
Click to expand...

I landed on the last three sentences of your post. Hope this wasn't what it sounds like at first glance, a disgruntled employee exacting revenge on his d-bag boss!:D
 
H2OCutter said:
The Native 4 is my first Spyderco and I like it. The other day I noticed some wiggle in the mechanism, which surprised me to say the least, I flipped it over and saw much to my dismay that a part of the blade pin was missing ! I notified Spyderco and they said they would send me out a new pin. Thats good customer service, even though I don't think this should have happened with such a new knife, one a month old.
Click to expand...

Screws come loose. You gotta keep an eye on them. A little Loctite works great.
 
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