Need help finding a new EDC - No rough surfaces!

Can you guys please fill me in on the Spyderco Native variants? I'm seeing the Native FRN, Native III and Native Lightweight - what's the difference?

Thanks!
 
+1 for the kershaw onion line lotta knife for the money on those. I'd also take a look at the Spyderco stretch 2...it doesn't meet either qualification but MANN does it look cool.
(to me ;)
 
I know the benchmade 710 is a little larger than your limit, however, it is very sleek and you wont even notice it even though it is fairly large. The g10 is nice and smooth and doesnt take apart pants :thumbup:
 
i got an Idea, buy a Spyderco Tenacious and use the rest of the Money To take the Milf out to dinner, damn that was a good idea get a Good knife and a BJ, Everybody wins!!!!!!!!
 
WOW! that damascus skyline is amazing! :O

i second/third/whichever number it is the skyline. been edc'ing one for the better part of a year and love it. the g10's not too rough to start with and smoothes out with use. the leek is good too, and the pocket clip's not as strong as the skyline's if that's an issue.
 
drjones said:
Can you guys please fill me in on the Spyderco Native variants? I'm seeing the Native FRN, Native III and Native Lightweight - what's the difference?

Thanks!
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Native FRN (also called Native Lightweight) is fairly thin and has flat scales. At under 3oz, it's very light. The jimping is very aggresive (which I like) and the contours of the handles work well for medium and slightly bigger hands. If you have big hands, the finger choil may pinch a bit. I've heard others complain about it, but I have no such issues. The thumb hole will get a little obscured by the handle when it's closed, so it makes it a little harder to flick open quickly. It takes a little getting used to and if you open normally, it's just fine. It comes with a hollow ground S30V blade and is made in the USA. The scales are somewhat grippy but smooth enough that it won't wear out your pockets. I think it's the perfect balance between smooth and rough.

Native III had a thicker handle that will actually feel better in hand, even for people with bigger hands. The choil is more comfortable as it's rounder and slightly bigger. The blade steel is VG-10 (from Japan) and also hollow ground. It has a wire clip and a rougher surface on the scales. It has the same sort of thumb hole so it's not as easy as other Spyderco knives to open quickly. The jimping is also different. It's not as grippy and while the Native FRN version has ridges cut into the spine, the Native III has protrusions coming out from the spine. Also light weight.

I like the way the Native III fills my hand but it doesn't carry in the pocket as well as the Native FRN. For me, the Native FRN is a tiny bit better for EDC due to how it carrys. They both have 2 1/2 inch cutting edge.

There is also a Carbon Fiber version. It's got a smoother contour than the other two and slick and flat carbon fiber scales. It's very comfortable to hold and feels very nice in hand. The spine is smooth and it's only jimped on the finger choil area. The blade is full flat ground VG-10 and it's also made in Japan. It's in a higher class than the other two but also priced as such.
 
I can't believe it hasn't been mentioned even though you say you don't like Spyderco once you try one you might get hooked: the carbon fiber Caly 3 with ZDP blade.

Great blade steel in a knife that meets your blade requirement but feels bigger because of the choil. At least worth a look.

The OD1 is a neat little knife. And it was mentioned but some sand paper will knock down the grip on most scale material. Plus you can smooth just the area under the clip and leave the rest grippy. The area under the clip is the only spot that wears at clothes because of the clip pressure.
 
I think the caly 3 cf has been mentioned... So I will 3rd the caly3. Smooth cf, not too big, deep riding pocket clip and zdp189 steel! It is a little over 100 but worth it.
 
The Native really has caught my eye - thanks dsmegst for filling me in!

Think I'm most interested in the FRN - I like the blade profile the best too.

I'd really like to thank you guys again - forgot how helpful this forum can be!

Thanks also to the members who sent me emails - I'm reviewing them & will get back to you within a day or so!

So many of the blades I've come across are so affordable & cool, I'll probably end up picking up two or three (I also need more EDC-able blades!)

One I stumbled across that I've lusted after for a long time is this guy: http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=GB01966

Any thoughts/comments on either the full-size or mini version? I've always liked the lines of that knife and have wanted one for years...
 
drjones said:
The Native really has caught my eye - thanks dsmegst for filling me in!

Think I'm most interested in the FRN - I like the blade profile the best too.

I'd really like to thank you guys again - forgot how helpful this forum can be!

Thanks also to the members who sent me emails - I'm reviewing them & will get back to you within a day or so!

So many of the blades I've come across are so affordable & cool, I'll probably end up picking up two or three (I also need more EDC-able blades!)

One I stumbled across that I've lusted after for a long time is this guy: http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=GB01966

Any thoughts/comments on either the full-size or mini version? I've always liked the lines of that knife and have wanted one for years...
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Can't go wrong with the Native FRN in s30v steel. Was my first Spydie, and still sees a ton of pocket time. It carries very well in the pocket, lightweight, yet it handles like a bigger knife because of the choil making it ergonomic. Unless you have super sausage fingers :P

Carried that thing before I could sharpen, and it held a useable edge for a looong time. Once I was able to sharpen, it wasn't near as hard as plenty of people say about the s30v...
 
Just an update, I got a couple generous offers from some fellow forumites that I took advantage of.

I got a Kershaw Shallot - just arrived today - and have a Gerber Covert and CRKT Summa on the way.

The Kershaw is quite impressive! They are nice knives for the money, and the Shallot is just what I was looking for: a good-sized knife, very slim, no rough surfaces to destroy clothing, inexpensive yet high quality.

I really want a couple more Kershaws, including the Zing. Uh-oh, I reawakened my knife addiction..... :D

Thanks again!
 
Speaking of Kershaws, I have to add yet one more +1 for the Leek.

I picked up a stainless steel, baby-butt smooth Leek today and I'm really loving this sweet little knife! I've only had it a day, but I'm impressed as heck! And no qualms about carrying it with Dockers or slacks... nice and smooth!

Kershaw makes some great little knives.

I'm also zeroing in on a Spyderco for EDC. Considering the Native 4 CF, Sage CF, and Centofante 3 are all three looking really good to me. Man... I can see this new hobby of mine is going to draw some serious funds over time. A bit more costly than my flashlight affliction. :eek: (But a drop in the bucket compared to my 1911 and S&W revo affliction). :)
 
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Personally, I think you will kick yourself if you don't try a Kershaw OD-1. It is brilliantly designed and executed.
 
Lots of good suggestions and I can vouch for the CF Caly 3, the CF Sage, and the Centofante. Some others to consider: Al Mar Falcon or Hawk in any of the scale/boster configs you like, the BM 707 (smooth aluminium scales), or the H&K 14210 (smooth G10).
 
A.P.F. said:
Personally, I think you will kick yourself if you don't try a Kershaw OD-1. It is brilliantly designed and executed.
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Well I'm so impressed with the Shallot I got that I'm definitely going to pick up some more Kershaws soon! :D

Why is the Black Shallot so much more expensive than the Stainless one, though? :(

The orange Blur & Zing have definitely piqued my interest.

Anyhow, the Gerber Covert & CRKT Summa arrived yesterday - WOW. Really, really, really nice knives for the money!

I'm a stickler for quality; I've got some Striders, a Microtech, Busse, etc. so I know and appreciate quality when I see it, and man - these knives are very nice at any price, but they are especially amazing considering what they sell for!!

Same goes for the Kershaw - I can't believe the thing sells for like $30. :eek:

Anyhow, I'll try to post some pictures later. Thanks again to everyone here for their suggestions and to the generous forum members who sold me these knives. :thumbup:

Would I be crossing the bounds to give a plug to www.TacticalDefender.com who reached out to me & helped me acquire these knives? :)

Thanks!
 
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