OK, now that you have used them....which Native?

T

Thom Lambert

Joined
Nov 18, 2002
Messages
207
I am getting either a Native III, or a S30V Native. Now that the III has been out for awhile, I am curious as to which one (only one) you would get. Is there a noticable difference in the blade steels?

Thanks,
Thom
 
Thom, sorry this isn't about the blade steel, but after living with the 3D Native for awhile, I prefer the older "flat Native." Just feels better to me, and I like the older blade shape a bit more. As for the wire clip, it ain't too bad, actually. I had had worries I wouldn't like it, but it's okay.

I have the following Natives:

-GIN 1 Native SE
-440V Native PE
-440V Blue G10 Native PE
-AUS-10 SS Native PE (2, one engraved)
-VG-10 Native III PE (Blue Spyderco Forum Model #040)
-440A BRK Native (okay, some of you don't think this one counts!) :)

My next Native will probably be the S30V model "flat" Native, or, if I scrape up the $$, one of the shell inlay models.

Unless an "MBC" or "large Native" comes out, that is! HINT, HINT...

Karl, Native Fan for Life
(although I've got lots of Delicas and Enduras, too!)
 
I perfer the first Native.I like the flat shape better and I don't care for a wire clip.
BTW Safety Guy you have mail.
;)
 
Thom,
I have tried many of the natives and of those readily available to buy, I like the Blue native III. I have an original black FRN III but the tension on opening is very tight. The blue one is definitely looser. The S30V flat handle fits very well but, I do prefer the wire clip and the "3D" part of the handle used to extract it from the pocket works very well for me. The only one I like better is the Blue G-10 BF native. I do prefer the G-10 texturing and feel. As far as your question on steel I don't think you'd go wrong with any of them.
The natives I have:
Blue G10 BF SE
Blue G10 SE
Blue inlaid G10 PE (2) one for customizing.
Rootbeer inlaid G10 SE
FRN S30V PE
FRN III CE
Blue FRN III forum (2)
Blue FRN III (I got of these for my brother for Christmas)

My 2cents US.
Chris
 
I like the S30V one because I found the steel to be a more agressive cutter than the VG10 stuff from the Endura.
But I would like a wire clip too.... so I might have to pick up a Native III
 
The Native III feels ALOT better in MY hand than the original Native (or the Native II) does...Also, I like the blade shape on the "III" better than the shape of the original.
 
Man, that is such a hard choice. The VG-10 Native and S30V Native both get insanely sharp.

I like the S30V better because I seem to be able to put a killer edge on it easier.

The VG-10 seems to be a much finer grain of steel - it makes me think of a surgeons scalpel. But the S30V seems stronger - I don't know why, it just does to me.

If I had to choose one or the other I would choose which handle appealed to me more... and which blade shape I liked better.

I like the handle shape and the S30V steel better. But I like the Native III blade shape better.
 
I ordered the native 111 and gave it away to a friends father as an early x-mas present the day I got it.

I like the flatter natives and the blade style is better in my mind as well.

I have no preference on the wire clips, I like em, but I like regular clips as well.

I could have returned it, but I needed to get this guy a present anyway so it was not a lost cause. It should have named something other than a native, it's a different animal all together to my mind.

Brownie
 
Originally posted by boxer93
Thom,
I have tried many of the natives and of those readily available to buy, I like the Blue native III. I have an original black FRN III but the tension on opening is very tight. The blue one is definitely looser. The S30V flat handle fits very well but, I do prefer the wire clip and the "3D" part of the handle used to extract it from the pocket works very well for me. The only one I like better is the Blue G-10 BF native. I do prefer the G-10 texturing and feel. As far as your question on steel I don't think you'd go wrong with any of them.
9List of Natives that Chris has owned deleted to save space)
My 2cents US.
Chris
Click to expand...

Chris, I have given away a couple of the FRN 440V Natives to friends to whom I owed social debts and they have loved them once they figured out how to resharpen them. My only Native is my Blue BF Native that I bought and used very, very hard. It was a favorite until I decided that it needed to be put aside and saved from further use and, yes, abuse. But that is still one of the nicest Spydercos made, IMNSHO. I love the color and the G10 scales and, damn, was that thing sharp when I got it and does it still take an edge with a Spyderco SharpMaker! GREAT KNIFE!
 
I like the Native III blade and handle shape better than the others, but mine is waay too tight
 
I've never had that problem with a Spyderco, but my Camillus CUDA MAXX 5.5 was a bear when I first got it. The pivot was adjustable, but the frame lock was nearly impossible to disengage. It took many, many times of locking it and unlocking it before I was able to unlock it with any ease and facility. Of course, given the size and mass of the blade, a tight and secure lock at the beginning was a bit reassuring. ;)
 
FullerH,
I couldn't agree with you more on the Blue BF. I liked it so much I found a second one for me and one for my middle son when he reached 1st class Boy Scout. (He should be Life by New Years). He saw the native design in the ELU catalog and it was his favorite design.

Chris
 
Get the Native with the S30V blade. S30V is super steel plus not too hard to sharpen. It's a great little package, Golden has put together. The Native III, in my case, is a bit too hard to open with one hand (spring too stiff). They are both good knives but the spring thing is hard for me to overlook.
 
Oh yeah, and the original FRN one is slightly thicker. I prefer that grip more than the SS. I've yet to get around to the Native III but i'll get to see it.
 
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