Native Questions

M

Moon

Joined
Jun 24, 2003
Messages
238
OK, Im probably gonna have some extra cash in a couple of weeks and Im thinking about a Native. The only problem is there seems to be a bunch of diffrent ones :D

I know there is one that comes in S30V, is it only available in FRN? I know there are others like the Native II and III. if somebody could break down the models and steels and everything I would really appreciate it it ;) Thanks
 
I have the native III in VG10 and I can't say a bad thing about it. I think it's a bit cheaper too.

N2
 
Hi Moon, you might want to check out this thread over on on the Spyderco factory forum, gives a pretty good rundown on the various Natives.

This picture shows the four basic models.

The top one is what is know as a BRK 1st Generation Native. They were made for Blue Ridge Knives and are considered by almost everyone to be inferior to later versions. Steel on these is 440A and they have 9 thumb notches.

The second one down is a Golden made Native, a current production one in S30V, although earlier ones in 440V still show up on eBay a lot, all of them have 6 thumb notches. Mine is plain edge, but combo is also available. Oldest ones are in GIN-1, but these would only be on interest if you're looking for a collector piece.

The third is a Native II, this is the all stainless version of the Native. They have AUS-10 blades and are make in Japan. Plain edge has been discontinued, but can still found if you hunt around, combo edge is still in production.

The one on the bottom is a Native III, these too are made in Japan. They have VG-10 blades and come in plain and combo edge. The blue ones, in plain edge like mine, but without the Spyderco Forum markings on the blade, are still available from NGK, and probably elsewhere as well. Some feel the blue ones have a smoother action than the black.

Aside from the steel, the biggest differences between the regular Native and the Native III are the thickness of the handles and the clips. The Native III is considerably thicker due to the contoured handle, feels great in the hand, but does make for a bigger bulge in the pocket. As for the clips, some love the wire ones, some hate 'em. Those who love 'em say they don't scratch things up as much as the flat metal ones, them want hate 'em say they deform too easily. Me, I take both off and just carry loose in my pocket.

natives.jpg
 
Thanks for the breakdown Paul! I have a couple of weeks to decide, I guess its either gonna be the Golden made S30V or the Blue Native III. Thanks again for the info ;)
 
knifesite.com still has some SE black G10 shell inlays in stock.
Its the one at 1 O'clock in my avitar
 
I would go for the PE Native in S30V. The ergonomics may not be as good as the Native III but it still feels comfy in the hand and from my experience the action is much smoother (though both lock up tight with no play). Plus you get a blade made of the hottest steel on the market right now and the knife sits flatter in your pocket. Either way you go though you can't go wrong with a Native.
 
Knight939 said:
I would go for the PE Native in S30V. The ergonomics may not be as good as the Native III but it still feels comfy in the hand and from my experience the action is much smoother (though both lock up tight with no play). Plus you get a blade made of the hottest steel on the market right now and the knife sits flatter in your pocket. Either way you go though you can't go wrong with a Native.
Click to expand...

Yeah I think thats gonna be my choice ;) I wanna try out the S30V and i prefer a less bulky knife.

Ill bump this thread up after I make my purchase, thanks everybody :)
 
Of course, there is also the BladeForums Blue Native, of which I am sure there is a picture available somewhere. It had blue G-10 scales, a CPM 440V blade and a blue enamelled clip. It also had etching on the blade. You can see them, very rarely, in the "For Sale" fora.
 
I like all the Natives. It's a great ergonomic design and deserves all these different versions to bring out the best of each aspect.

My blue Native III is the keeper, though. The extra thickness is minimal in a pocket, unless you are wearing way too tight pants :) The curves of the 3D design are extremely comfortable. I even noticed the slight narrowing and then flaring right at the butt makes it easier to pull out of my pocket. As great a grip as all the Natives have, the III feels softer, all the edges are rounded, even on the thumb ridges.

The only way you can deform the wire clip is by trying to. It's stiff and holds real well, but it won't tear up your pocket.

No knock on S30V, but Spyderco's VG-10 blades are the best slicers around.
 
Esav, did you ever hear the joke about the tailor who was making a pair of pants for a 1960s rock singer. The singer wanted them so thaght that the back row in the stadium could tell his gender, so the tailor said that he would make them so tight that the back row could tell his religion. *Rimshot*
 
Esav Benyamin said:
I like all the Natives. It's a great ergonomic design and deserves all these different versions to bring out the best of each aspect.

My blue Native III is the keeper, though. The extra thickness is minimal in a pocket, unless you are wearing way too tight pants :) The curves of the 3D design are extremely comfortable. I even noticed the slight narrowing and then flaring right at the butt makes it easier to pull out of my pocket. As great a grip as all the Natives have, the III feels softer, all the edges are rounded, even on the thumb ridges.

The only way you can deform the wire clip is by trying to. It's stiff and holds real well, but it won't tear up your pocket.

No knock on S30V, but Spyderco's VG-10 blades are the best slicers around.
Click to expand...

Yeah that was my other choice, except in black. I don't like the cheap look of the blue :( I guess ill decide when the time comes. thanks for the input ;)




and i dont wear tight pants :o
 
Muchos Gracias to The Deacon.

I just called NGK, & a blue Native III is on its way to my house. It can play with my Native I & II!

They have 2 left.
 
I like the S30V better too but mainly because of the clip.
 
u812 said:
I like the S30V better too but mainly because of the clip.
Click to expand...

that was actually one of the reasons i got the III, it will be my first with a wire clip.
 
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