Native stiffness

S

Slate

Joined
Feb 10, 2004
Messages
10
I recently picked up a Native III from a dealer on eBay. It feels great in my hand and cuts like nobody's business, but the action on it is so tight and stiff that I'm tempted to use 2 hands to open it. I've been cycling it as much as possible to loosen it up a little--next step is a little Militec. I was just wondering if this kind of stiffness is normal for the Native and, more importantly, will it loosen up? Both my Delica and my Calypso Jr. were silky smooth right out of the box. Any thoughts?
 
My Native III is actually a little looser than I'd like. I have to be careful closing it because when I release the lock that heavy blade will just swing shut. I guess you could say that, on average, they're just right. Luck of the draw I guess.
 
I had an original 440V Native.

So hard to open I couldn't do it with one hand -- my thumbpad would slip out of the Spyderhole each time.

I ended up having to stick my whole thumb into the hole, nail side forward, which was pretty uncomfortable.

Never was able to break it in.

-j
 
My Native III was quite stiff out of the box too. We have been close friends since April and it is opening perfectly now. ;)
 
Any of you ever try to hold a Native by the blade with both thumb and index finger in the hole and flick the knife forward? I think that is the quickest way to open up a Native...just don't let go when you flick. I've been able to do this and sorta grasp the handle right after to have it in a ready to use position. On the flip side, when you close a Native any type you can release the lockback and have your index finger up front and catch the blade. Then remove your finger and use your thumb to guide the blade back into the handle by the hole. Just my two cents on the matter. By the way, anyone happen to have a NIB Black FRN Native PE with the GIN-1 blade steel? I'm still looking for one...got my SE the other day. But I'm not using my slightly used PE GIN-1 till I get a replacement for the TrIbE!!! I'll post pics soon of the Tampa Tribe! Laterz... :p
 
Had a Native S30V, action was perfect. Later got a Native III, the thing never loosened up. The spring is too stiff, no amount of oil or movement will improve it. Sent it to factory, they returned it with some oil on it, still very hard to open. The spring!
 
I just picked up a Native III also, i can flick it open with one hand with out any problem. When opening with 2 hands you can feel the tightness though. I wish I had purchased the Native S30V.
 
I've got a Native here, 1st Generation BRK 440A made in Golden Colorado.

Relatively easy to open one handed. Needs a fair bit of pressure to release the lock.
 
My Native III opens easy and swings closed when you push the lockback.
Just a drop of militec and some light use...

Neko2
 
I gave up carrying my Native III. After 2000+ openings and closings, it is as stiff as Bill Clinton at a sorority cookout.
 
Hi. I appreciate the comments. We are looking closely into the question of action and stiffness on the current Native III. We are always interested in hearing what our customers think of our models, positive or negative.

sal
 
It seems my Native III is getting tighter now, It was a little tight before, now it just doesnt seem right at all. Im a kinda disapointed. Im thinking about sending it in to Spyderco and having it checked it out.
 
Someone on one of the forums said that the blue-handled Native has a smoother action than the black-handled model. Anyone had the same experience?
 
Sal Glesser said:
Hi. I appreciate the comments. We are looking closely into the question of action and stiffness on the current Native III. We are always interested in hearing what our customers think of our models, positive or negative.

sal
Click to expand...

I'd say mine is definitely overly stiff, Sal. The resistance is to the point where it can be tiresome to repeatedly open it one handed and it can't be opened by the thumb/forefinger wrist flick method. Still a great knife, just not the smoothest one in the drawer.

Jack
 
My Blue Native III was also very stiff at first. I applied a dab of Simichrome to the semi-circular portion of the blade which contacts the lock/spring and worked it with vigor. As the Simichrome was used up, I added a bit more and exercised the blade from full closed to almost locked. I kept at it until the smoothness was noticably improved. Then I cleaned the knife with Brake Kleen, washed it in soapy water, dried it and re-oiled.

It is now slick as ice and my EDC.

Chris
 
I have had 2.The first run of the Native 3 had VERY strong springs almost to strong to open one handed.The second one was a later one and the spring was just about right.IMO the S30V Natives spring could be just a tad stronger.
 
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