Native question

L

lreed

Joined
Dec 7, 2001
Messages
538
Hi all.
I am currently looking for an in-expensive EDC and Native looks pretty good for me. I searched on this forum and people are talking about Native 3D, Native S30v, new larger Native.
Are they 3 different models? And if the new Native hasn't come out yet, when will it come out and how will it look like? Which one got steel liners?
Thanks!
 
There are 3 Natives.

Native i- FRN and S30V

Native ii- Stainless Steel and Aus 10

Native iii- Slightly thicker and rounder FRN and vG-10

The larger Native was just a proposed idea. It doesn't even have a prototype model to my knowledge. None of the FRN models have ss liners either. The only one with ss liners is the All stainless model Native ii.

I would get the Native I or Native III. Preferably the Native I though. It is thinner for IWB carry and less obstruction in the pocket. It feel pretty good in the hand. The FRN is fairly grippy. And S30V steel, the newest wondersteel on the block. The Native III is a good choice too. It has bulkier handles though and I don't like that. It certainly has a nicer looking blade though. And VG-10 is a great steel itself. Almost right behind S30V.

The lack of Steel liners in the Native is not an issue. The FRN is quite durable as is. It is practically indestructable. Giving the Native SS liners would increase weight and price too. The whole point of the Native to me is the greatest performance in the cheapest package. S30V for 50 bucks with a reall lightweight to it, so you will be able to carry it 24/7. Even jogging and in PJ's you will barely notice the weight. Hope this helps.
-Kevin
 
The Native, with FRN handles and an S30V blade is an excellent EDC. Try one first, though, as some folks aren't keen on its handle. The more you use it, the more you'll appreciate how great it is.

Another knife that is very good and very affordable is the FRN Delica with VG-10 steel. It slices like nobody's business and is amenable to more gripping styles than the Native.

Try the Native and buy it if you like its handle, otherwise the Delica won't let you down.
 
Morgoth/Kevin

There actually was a prototype made of a larger Native. I'd post a picture but since I'm still only a basic member.....:( Let me know and I can email it to you.
 
I carry an early FRN Native with a GIN-1 blade.

I have abused it now since whenever.
When did the first Native come on the market?
It remains as tight and functional as the day I bought it.

I like the FRN version because it fits so nicely in my waistband.

I think Sal hinted at a new, larger Native about a year ago, and someone posted a picture.
Wow.
It surprised me how well it scaled up to a 4" blade.
I'll try and find the picture and link to it.

Anyway, Safetyguy and I and others have tried to keep the idea alive.
When it comes out I will definitely buy one immediately.
I hope it stays true to form.
The Native III, although attractive, did not retain the hollow ground swedge that I like so well.
If the proposed new, larger Native does not stay true to form, I will purchase an FRN S30V, not because my present Native has failed me in any way, but because I would like to have some experience with S30V, having heard so much good about it.
 
Thanks a lot guys!
hmmmm.... so there's gona be a new native, probabily with steel liner and good steel still. However at $50 for a s30v FRN native looks like a good steal. And 1 more knife for me is the upper limit for my wife, confirmed from her again this morning... To wait or not to wait, it's a real problem for me now :)
 
Is it possible that Sal will put 440v or 30v blade in a Native II as a limited run?
 
Not likely,the Native ll is made in Japan and S30v and 440V steel are american steels.I love the AUS 10 that is in the Native ll.
 
u812, it's great that I can always get reply from you quickly, do you live on this forum? lol
CRKT has made me decide to keep out of this "AUS" family, so how about vg-10?
 
I stay on it quite a bit.I work second shift and daytime TV sucks.You should give Spydercos AUS steels a try.They are much better than CRKT.
 
VG-10 is great. It's the steel in my EDC knife the Delica. If we are looking at Natives though, I would go with the S30V. Just go for the best, IMO.
-Kevin
 
H Ireed. The current Natives available are all that is planned for the next year.

The AUS-10 in the Native II is an exellent steel. We us Aichi made AUS only. We have been told that for some reason, Spyderco's AUS steels seem to outperform other AUS steels???. We've not tested anyone elses AUS steels so I have no firsthand information.

The only reson we would put a liner (more than likely only a single liner) in a Native design would be to hold the clip screws. It would be difficult to tax the design enough to require additional stiffness or strength. We use steel liners (or Titan) on models requiring a great deal of lock strength for MBC moves, but they are always considerably more expensive. If we ever made a larger Native, we would more than likely use G-10 and dual liners to meet high requirements for the longer blade (longer leverage arm against the lock). We do not have plans for such a model at this time.

As mentioned, we are trying to provide maximum performance in a LIGHT inexpensive package. "No more than neccesary and no less than perfect". Our FRN models do, IMO provide that.

sal
 
I still think a larger Native with the Native III blade profile and not as flinking tight as my Native III would be great. I'd buy some.
 
I have no expereience with the Native. But if the Delica has it's big brother the Enudra. Why doesn't that Native have a big brother? :(
 
The closest yet to a big brother for the Native is the spear-point version of the Lil' Temperance. They do make a nice pair for EDC. :D
 
The Renagade would be real close to its big brother.
 
Don't sell the Native II short. I have yet to dull my Native II enough from normal cutting, and it's still scary sharp. AUS 10 doesn't behave like AUS 6, and of course, AUS 8 from Spyderco also performs spectacularly (I have the Salsa to prove that)
The only thing that I don't like about the Native II is that the SS handles catches scratches easily, but that's going to happen to steel based handles.
I used to have the Native before I lost it, and that 440V blade cuts like crazy. I'm thinking of getting the S30V version later on.
 
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