Native Replacement

Spectre

Spectre

Joined
Nov 3, 1998
Messages
4,331
A Lightweight Native was my EDC knife for about 5 years. Unfortunately, it was lost a few months ago, and I'm looking for the right spydie to take its place. The Native is a *great* knife, but I thought I'd take the chance to try out other Spydercos. So far, I've bought:

Meerkat- too tiny
Progrip- too flimsy
Salsa-
I like some things about the Salsa. It's a very flat knife, for instance, without feeling flimsy like the Progrip did. I don't think I'm overly enamored of the "Little Big Knife" concept, though. I'd like a longer, thinner (profile) blade.

I've been eyeing the Manix lately, but it's over 6 oz. I'd like something closer to the C41BK's 2.65 oz, and not too much longer [3 15/16" (100 mm)] when closed. Suggestions? So far, the Yojimbo's looking pretty good, as is the Scorpius- of course, I'd prefer something not all metal, since I think the metal tends to attract people's eye, and I'll be in an academic environment for the next 8 years or so.

Suggestions? Of course, the daily carry blade's main mission is as tool, but since I can't carry firearms in school, I'd like something that could function well as protective device if called upon.

Thanks, John
 
Well, you might take a look at the Stretch, slim, reasonably light, packs a lot of blade in a minimum amount of handle. The kraton inlays on both sides make it fairly benign looking to the general public. Might also look at the Schempp Persian, it's about half way between the Stretch and the Manix in weight and size and despite its rather purposeful looking blade the combination of bolsters and micarta scales keeps those "deer in the headlights" looks to a minimum. Pics below will give you an idea of size, my Persian has custom scales, and my Stretch now sports micarta inlays instead of the kraton, but they may help you judge the comparitive sizes.

'Course you could go for the Spyker and learn to love the sound of bladders voiding. :D
edc6_open.jpg

spyker_comp.jpg
 
Sorry to hear about your loss. I lost a C36 Military model once. Truly a bummer.
 
That Native appears to have been modified. Did you dremel it to get more access to the opening hole?
 
The pics do help, thanks.

I did consider the Persian, too- think I'll look at the thread 'bout its strength. I'd definitely go for the Yojimbo if it didn't have that extra knubb at the end, increasing its OAL.

John
 
Great pics, Paul! :)

You might look at the Lil Temperance leaf point. It’s probably the best made Spydie I have. Blade and handle lengths are about the same as the Native and the blade shape is somewhat similar. Both the blade and handle are quite a bit thicker than the Native though. It’s built like a tank.

The Scorpius is a great knife. Its blade is a lot like the Native’s, but I prefer the one on the Scorpius; it looks more elegant to me and it has more belly. The handle of the Scorpius is much thinner than the Native’s.

I don’t really carry the Persian much. It’s very cool, but its point is a little too high to make it a good utility knife, IMO.

My favorite Spydie lately has probably been the Yojimbo. The more I carry and use it, the more I like it. It is surprisingly large for the blade length, but it carries and handles well. I personally think it looks pretty non-threatening, especially with blue G-10 scales.
 
Yeah, I really wish the Yojimbo had a shorter handle (though I do understand the design function of the protrusion).

How strong are the Spyderco Goddard C16PGY & C16PSGY? Looks like about the right size, not metal, not especially "scary" looking.

John
 
I say you can't go wrong with another Native but if you want something different, the Centofante III is a really nice thin bladed slicer and cutter. The price on that model is great too. I really like the Paramilitary. It has a great flat gound blade that is nice and wide. The Paramilitary looks bigger, but it is really about the size of your old Native. You may also just a get an inexpensive knife and wait until the Spyderco version of the Terzoula Microstar comes out. The new Viele is expensive, but it is an absolutely top notch pocket knife. I had one for a minute and may get one again. I also understand that in May, Spyderco will be re-releasing the Almite Walker, a slightly smaller knife, but a real nice gents piece that will look good in a college environment.
 
"I believe in Spyderco", but I really don't care for liner locks much. I was looking at the Centofante, too, but wonder if it'll feel flimsy like the Progrip?

I'm still not wild about the Salsa, but I'm finding I'm liking some things- like the Cobra hood- about it.

John
 
The Centofante (a great favourite of mine) feels pretty sturdy, sturdier to me than the Progrip, Endura, or Delica.
Keep in mind that the Centofante has a single steel liner, nested on the clip side.
The other mentioned knives are all FRN, no liner.
 
Harry Callahan said:
That Native appears to have been modified. Did you dremel it to get more access to the opening hole?
Click to expand...
Good eyes Harry, I used a wood dowel wrapped with sandpaper. The six in that top pic are the ones I carry the most, and aside from the Kiwi and Jester, all have been tweaked a bit to suit me better. Rounded off a couple corners on the Stretch and the top of the thumb ramp on the Caly Jr. to save wear and tear on my pants, clips came off all that had them. Persian has an enlarged thumb hole as well as the more obvious mods.
 
What about a Native III?

I had a Native and gave it to a friend a while back. I had cause to pick one up again recently remembered how much I liked it so decided to get another. It turned out that I got a Native III in a trade and it's now my new best friend.

The advantages (for me) of the Native are;

1) Thicker FRN makes it more solid

2) Better 'fist filling' ergos than the Native

3) I find VG10 easier to touch up than s30V

Both knives have the ability to be clipped or carried comfortably loose in pocket. Both carry small and open up big.
 
I love threads with knife pictures in them!

If you like the Salsa but want something a little larger then why not look at the Lil' Temperance? Of course you might like the Native III. :D
 
Well, being in some aspects a good boyfriend, my girlfriend Jordy is equipped with a Native III. :D It is a nice knife, stays sharp, and locks solidly, if not as smoothly as the Salsa. Perhaps I'll borrow it from her to carry for a day...

Someone else mentioned this in another thread, but I personally think a short, wide blade looks at least as aggressive as a longer, thinner blade. (The Native blades, for instance, look no more bellicose IMO than the Salsa's.) The Li'l Temp appears to have both a very fat blade and a huge handle. I think I'd prefer a longer, slimmer blade and a thinner handle. One last carp: really wishing the Yojimbo had a shorter handle.

Thanks for everyone for the suggestions, and to The Deacon for the very helpful pictures.

John
 
The Goddard lightweight has a long thin blade that is very sharp and pointy. I don't think it appears overly aggressive though it is fairly larege. The grey frn is very nice and givs good grip while keeping a very flat profile. It isn't what I would call a hard use knife but if you are looking for something to do every day cutting chores with its definetly worht a look and it wouldn't be any slouch as an SD tool either. I like mine a lot and carry it often.
The s30v native is next on my wish list though;-)>
 
Native III (lets chant higher than the Sebenza crowd :D).

Seriously, I really enjoy using my Native III, it feels great in the hand. I've switched to my Delica, just for something different, and prefer my Native III.
 
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