Native vs. Tenactious - your thoughts?

J_Curd

J_Curd

Joined
Jul 26, 2006
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Is the Spyderco Tenacious comparable/lesser/better than the Native?

The Tenacious is cheaper, has better scales, safer lock (IMO), a more economical (but quality) steel, and seems like a more ergonomic package (and its $10 cheaper).

If you had $40 in your pocket, which you you get?

I have a Native that Ive tested in salt water, on conduit, concrete, etc. Its an amazing value...I want to hear the same from someone who has put the Tenacious through its paces.
 
Native all the way.

Better steel. ( no matter which model you get. )
Better lock. (Lockbacks have a 40 year service history. I know they are going to last. And Spyderco makes one of the best lockbacks in the business.)
USA made if you get a Native and not a Native III.
 
I recently ordered a native, but the manufacturer accidently put a tenacious in lol. I didn't really like the tenacious, it's made of 8cr13mov and is made in china, i sent it back.
 
I don't think there's a comparison. The Tenacious is a great value for the money, the steel's OK. But a Native, especially the regular one that used to be in Wal-Mart, is a great value & a better knife, IMHO.

I think lock-backs are considered a "safer" lock, although I do like a quality liner lock (& the Tenacious is that). The S30V in the Native is much better than the AUS 8-like steel in the Tenacious, & the Native's ergos are better, too, IMHO.
 
knarfeng said:
Native all the way.

Better steel. ( no matter which model you get. )
Better lock. (Lockbacks have a 40 year service history. I know they are going to last. And Spyderco makes one of the best lockbacks in the business.)
USA made if you get a Native and not a Native III.
Click to expand...

I am with you 100%.
 
Native is the better knife - Better Steel, Better lock, better value. Tenacious is fine for what it is, and is of high quality, but the Native out does it in Steel, which makes it a better value for the cost.
 
The fact that's it American made would make it the native for me. The S30V for only 10 bucks more is also a big selling point.
 
Having had a Byrd Cara Cara Lockback fail on me, removing my index finger almost completely at the knuckle, I trust liner locks. No more emergency room visits due to mid-palm lock backs for me. Had I been using a Buck 110, I would still be shooting 2in groups.

I don't blame Spyderco/Byrd, I just wont use another lockback for anything other that very basic cutting. I would in no way trust one as a self-defense knife after that incident.

Word to the wise, dont ever mangle your trigger finger, you wont ever be the same.
 
The Byrd line isn't a comparison to a Native IMO. Better materials and quality.
I have both the CaraCara and the Natives and the Byrd feels "cheaply"
made compared to the Native. Not saying it is junk, just not as good as a Native by comparison.
The lockback always feels secure and never has given me grief.

mike
 
J_Curd said:
Having had a Byrd Cara Cara Lockback fail on me, removing my index finger almost completely at the knuckle, I trust liner locks. No more emergency room visits due to mid-palm lock backs for me. Had I been using a Buck 110, I would still be shooting 2in groups.

I don't blame Spyderco/Byrd, I just wont use another lockback for anything other that very basic cutting. I would in no way trust one as a self-defense knife after that incident.

Word to the wise, dont ever mangle your trigger finger, you wont ever be the same.
Click to expand...

May I ask how that happened? What was the nature of the accident?
 
I own a Tenacious. Love the quality at the price point I got it for, but I don't EDC it daily. I set it aside for dressier days and sundays because I don't want to abuse it as much since it was made in Ch***. I also trust a Spyderco lockback more than this liner lock IMO, so I carry my Endura 3 more often.

It's a great product but I would have gotten a Native if it was available instead of this but as I said It's definitely worth the price I paid for it. Paid much more for a Mantis Kbit but that I don't carry anymore nor ever will.

In my opinion get the Native.
 
Never used the Tenacious, but the Native has really impressed me. Maybe I am easily impressed. The Native is the way to go IMHO.
 
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Well there is also the matter of ergonomics.
Do you like choils?
If yes then get the Native.
If no then get the Tenacious.

Before the Tenacious came along i was set on buying a Native.
But now i'll be buying the Tenacious instead.
I'm not crazy about choils and i am currently on a liner/frame-lock kick anyway.
And i'm simply curious about the Chinese Spydercos.
I want a Byrd Wings as well.

After that the next in line will be the U.S made Spyderco Centofante III and one of the Salts and eventually a Delica 4.
 
THG said:
May I ask how that happened? What was the nature of the accident?
Click to expand...

I was cutting a part for one of my model plane projects. It was a small square in some 3/16ths plywood. I was working on a waist high surface, and was using the tip to cut into the wood, which required a bit of pressure. The web of my hand deactivated the lock, and as I pushed the knife into the wood, it closed on the 2nd knuckle of my index finger, and continued into my middle finger. It cut about 70% through my index finger and removed some of the bone.

It was at that point I regretted putting a wickedly sharp convex on the blade.

As I said, I dont blame anyone other than myself....wrong tool (I now own small chisels), wrong ergonomics for me.
 
I have a GIN-1 (G2) steel Native. I had the blade close on me while cutting plastic banding. The choil saved me from getting cut. I prefer liner locks, but I'd still get the Native over the Tenacious. The "China" factor is that reason.
 
I don't like the Native's design and ergos. Having not held a Tenacious, but having looked at them, I can say I would prefer the Tenacious. I need to hold one, though.
 
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