Noob. With, why should I not buy a Native/Sage?

T

TheStarman

Joined
Jun 7, 2012
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Hi everyone. My name is Steve and a very new knife person.. If that's the correct term lol

I have EDC a Victorinox Swiss champ for about 23 years and a Fenix P3D for about 3. Now it's pocket knife time....

Ive been skulking around different forums in the background and read shed loads of praise for many a knife and I've drawn up a very short list for my first one.

A spyderco Sage 1 and a Native 5.

So now I've joined your forum properly to learn more, and would like to start by asking your very knowledgable members what you DON'T like about these two knives. Not nit picking but just trying to see which of the 2 is more like Marmite... Vegemite or such.
Alas I don't have anywhere near me to try before I buy.

Ive been smitten on the Sage but the Native with Cuscadi scales has grown on me loads.

I have to have a 3" blade or less and my usage would be a semi hard working gents folder. Hence losing the G10 on the Native 5.

Any help or advice is very much appreciated by me and SWMBO who bless her is losing patience with me as I'm taking too long choosing. Lol.

Thanks muchly in advance. Steve.
 
Welcome to the forum. You'll likely receive many replies stating both knives are great and indeed they are. Both knives will hold up well to any task. Both knives have good lockup, blade steel and scales. Swapping out the scales on a native 5 with scales from cuscadi will make that a $230+ knife if that's a consideration. The Sage is a perfect Gent's knife with a 3" blade. Carry's great in the pocket with the CF scales and wire clip. I think the liner lock is very sufficient as well. Being abroad you may not care where either knife is made but some do. I like the blade shape better on the Native but the jimping is dynamite on the Sage. The only thing I could nit-pick about is the lack of a boye dent on the native but some folks were glad to see it go away.

I'm sure none of this helps!
 
Hm...

What I don't like about the Sage 1:
- Liner lock (rock solid lock up, but I just don't like the feel of liner locks when I hold the knife)
- Carbon fiber handle (very nice material, but just too slippery for my liking)

What I don't like about the Native 5:
- A bit heavy for EDC use
- Lockback (lockbacks are reliable, but they tend to have a little up-down blade play, which annoys me to no end)

Of course, I'm nitpicking too much. If I were to go with one, it'd probably be the Sage 1, but either is a good choice!
 
I, for one, would have been delighted if my first pocket knife had been the Sage 1. :)


.
 
I'd also suggest the Sage 1 since it's a bit less expensive and you shouldn't have to add anything to make it more "gentlemanly". It's also a very tough knife with a solid lockup and excellent EDC blade steel.

The N5 is also outstanding. I have both knives and carry them as: N5 for everyday use / work / garden & yard stuff; Sage 1 for dress / church / nicer feeling carry. I have 2 N5s and both locks are very solid with no h/v bp. I've had 4 or 5 Sage 1s and they havce all been flawless in every way.
 
The Sage 1 has to be one of the most versatile knives in my collection: it can be dressy or casual and carries very well with the low-profile wire clip. If I had to nit-pick, the only thing I don't particularly care for is that the choil pretty much forces me to use it in order to get a comfortable grip on the knife.

parasage02.jpg
 
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Hi guys. Thanks very much for your input.
Lots of good food for thought. I'm gorged already lol
Seriously though that's great information. Like many I also like products built on home soil... But sometimes needs is must for companies to continue in the fray of competition.
I know in the USA you guys excel in knife products and knowledge, and the reasons I chose either Spyderco or Benchmade..
Spyderco wins so far...at least this time ;)
I also agree that I wouldn't have to do anything to the Sage 1. It's good as is. And from what I've read lock backs do have the vertical play over time and I don't know if even the mighty new lock on the N5 will eventually get this.
It looks so far as if the Sage gets most votes for carry, light work and presentation vs egos.
The N5 is a great hefty little knife that I can pimp and make my own.... Oooh... Confuzzled again. Haha.

Why is it SO hard to choose a knife? Seems funny doesn't it. It was easier choosing a new car!

Thanks for the replies and also the warm welcome.

Steve.
 


Haha, Dude I know what you mean buying knives is a much more difficult decision. There are so many variables to consider. Anyways my vote would be for the Sage too. What I dont like about it? It can seem a bit bulky (with reference to my BM 707) so wearing this knife on khakis can be cumbersome. Also with time the blade alignment can get non-centralized, I don't know if this is just my blade or if others have experienced it as well. I've had this knife close to 6 months and my heart almost broke when I saw it happen. However, the function of knife has remained unchanged and its still awesome.

I'd like to add that its one of the SMOOTHEST opening folders I've ever owned apart from the Caly jr. So if deployment matters to you, go for the SAGE!

Cheers and Good luck :)
 
Shrewsbury , you are kidding me Shrewsbury, I used to live in Telford and have family in Shrewsbury. Anyway, that was just strange for me for a second. As for the knife choice, I like the idea behind the Sage knives, homages to different innovations and makers, so I might be tempted to go that direction. The lockback with the Native is a two hand opener/closer if it matters and the carbon fiber of the sage 1, for me, would be a preference over the Native scales (g10 on the 5 if memory serves)

Good luck and welcome to the forum
 
Hi Redfeenix. Thanks for your input here. In all the posts I've seen to date yours is the first I've heard to go off centre. Hopefully it can be sorted by pivot or spyderco but I can imagine how you felt.
That moment of disaster when you see something you take pride in malfunction or worse break!
In almost certain it's going to be the Sage 1 as my first knife.
Something just niggles me to go and get the Native and get custom scales to make it unique. Also that new pivot and lock seem interesting.
The price is about £4.00 more for the N5. What's that? $7.00?
Then about €80.00 or $100.00 (£64.00) for the smooth bumpy aramid scales and deep carry clip in blue.

Darn it!! $286.00 for me first knife!! Erm.....

LoL.

I thinks you be right. Sage 1 wins on not being beaten to a pulp by SWMBO for breaking the bank!! Heehee.

Thanks again for posting. It's made sense in what you have all said.

Regards. Steve.
 
KYenglish said:
Shrewsbury , you are kidding me Shrewsbury, I used to live in Telford and have family in Shrewsbury. Anyway, that was just strange for me for a second. As for the knife choice, I like the idea behind the Sage knives, homages to different innovations and makers, so I might be tempted to go that direction. The lockback with the Native is a two hand opener/closer if it matters and the carbon fiber of the sage 1, for me, would be a preference over the Native scales (g10 on the 5 if memory serves)

Good luck and welcome to the forum
Click to expand...



Hi KYenglish. Well how about that eh! Small world... And cheers For the welcome.

Thanks for your input also and nice to see you moved further than I did.. I'm born and bred east end London. Moved here about 15 years ago. I was in Telford yesterday too.
I live in a place calle Meole Village. Maybe you know it?
Must be SO different in Kentucky. Wow.

As above it looks like its the Sage1 that wins. This time haha.


Regards. Steve.
 
My favorite is the native, but the Sage is still an equally good knife
Can't go wrong with either
 
TheStarman said:
Hi Redfeenix. Thanks for your input here. In all the posts I've seen to date yours is the first I've heard to go off centre. Hopefully it can be sorted by pivot or spyderco but I can imagine how you felt.
That moment of disaster when you see something you take pride in malfunction or worse break!
In almost certain it's going to be the Sage 1 as my first knife.
Something just niggles me to go and get the Native and get custom scales to make it unique. Also that new pivot and lock seem interesting.
The price is about £4.00 more for the N5. What's that? $7.00?
Then about €80.00 or $100.00 (£64.00) for the smooth bumpy aramid scales and deep carry clip in blue.

Darn it!! $286.00 for me first knife!! Erm.....

LoL.

I thinks you be right. Sage 1 wins on not being beaten to a pulp by SWMBO for breaking the bank!! Heehee.

Thanks again for posting. It's made sense in what you have all said.

Regards. Steve.
Click to expand...

Hmmm, let me make your choice even more confusing :D. Spyderco is coming out with a limited edition (not confirmed yet if its LE or production run) Native 5. I did consider buying this knife, but I couldn't justify the price. Its a little below your $286 price point lol.

http://www.knifecenter.com/item/SP4...5VN-Satin-Plain-Blade-Fluted-Titanium-Handles

Just thought I'd put it out there for ya ;). Also, I've come to realize I dont tend to abuse my expensive knives because I love them so much I cant bear to use em like I'm supposed to. Instead I abuse my Kershaws and CRKTs coz I know I didn't pay too much for them, so price also has a psychological effect on how you use your blade. Since this is your first blade I would recommend you go with the Sage, believe me the feeling you will experience is comparable to owning a sports car for the first time. No, I'm not joking- a Sebenza would probably make you feel like you bought a Ferrari or Lambo for the first time lol.

Dont be alarmed by what happened to my knife because the QC in Taiwan is seriously amazing. I didn't bitch about this to Spyderco because Sal said that the only reason knives are being made in Taiwan now is because they're already loaded here in Colorado and need help with production. It may seem foolish I know, but I love Spyderco and will support the company as much as I can =).

Oh and yes welcome to the forums!

The good news - You've joined an amazing group of people here
The bad news - You're gonna be addicted and running out of money a LOT! :D
 
Haha. Yeah thanks for that redfeenix lol
Just as one thing seems sorted up pops another contender. Mmmm looks nice but I'd be afraid to use its so good looking!
I like your analogy too. I can see what you mean re sports car. What are us guys like with our toys and cars.. My other half loves boots! I think she's crazy haha. Who needs 15 pairs of walking boots? But knives, now there's reasons for having a good few ;)

I do like the Sage. I think Spyderco hit a home run with the design. I wish I disliked one more than the other!

I've put it to SWMBO and see what she produces for me Burfday. Eeeee I can't wait.

Thanks too for the welcome red. I hope that in time I shall be able to help others here rather than just tap brains.

So far I've got my nano oil 5 and 10 coming from StClairs US as was cheaper than buying in UK! Figure that!
Got a 3" wide new leather strip albeit 30" long, haha, from a saddle makers nearby. And some chromium oxide powder for polishing. Next is the sharpmaker. This is from learning from the forum. I may not need it all yet... But!... :rolleyes:
And then as you put it above..... I'm gonna end up spending and collecting aren't I... I can see it starting already. I have the bug, started with a Spyder. :D

Cheers Redfeenix.

Steve.
 
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A used Native 4 can be found in Carbon Fiber / FFG (VG10 Steel) for well less than a Native 5 with custom scales.
 
Yeah, bit of a relocation :p, had to come here to find there were knife nuts in england, weird

Heck I was born in Shrewsbury, :p, think I know Meole Village but ever been there, lived in leegomery myself

Enjoy your new knife, must be difficult to carry in ol'blighty I imagine, a swiss army key chain ca raise an eyebrow sometimes :D

TheStarman said:
Hi KYenglish. Well how about that eh! Small world... And cheers For the welcome.

Thanks for your input also and nice to see you moved further than I did.. I'm born and bred east end London. Moved here about 15 years ago. I was in Telford yesterday too.
I live in a place calle Meole Village. Maybe you know it?
Must be SO different in Kentucky. Wow.

As above it looks like its the Sage1 that wins. This time haha.


Regards. Steve.
Click to expand...
 
I love the Native for its ergos and it's awesome carry, and everything about it is just great. I even like the back lock and have never had an issue with blade play on any of the natives I have owned and I've owned several.

But onto the Sage series. I love the Sage series - just as much as I love the native. I have never owned the Sage 1 but have handled it and put it in my pocket - Very nice.
On the other hand, I've owned the Sage 2 and currently own the Sage 3 and have to say those are my two favorites of the Sage series - Which consists of four now.

The Sage 2 is beautiful, classy, a Ti Frame Lock which is my favorite locking mechanism. Also if you want to personalize it, you can flame the Titanium to be a different color!

The Sage 3 - Is in my pocket every day! - I love the blue handles because it's different and more friendly and happy looking(Yes, I'm female), and the bolt action lock is SMOOTH. This is the smoothest knife I own. Hands down.
At least until that ZT 0560 comes in the mail...

Over all for what you're looking for... I say get a Sage 2! You will NOT regret it, I promise.
 
my vote is for the Native 5, I love it. reasons I chose it over the Sage. Lock backs have come a long way, there is no blade play with this thing, rock solid lock up

1. S35VN is an upgrade from the S30V
2. I love the look of the lock back the S35VN steel runs all the way down the spine and is shiny and beautiful
3. The pocket clip, I dont like those wire clips, their ungly (thats my opinion)
4. mad in the USA, I like to see made in USA on my knifes.
 
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