Redesigning the Native

F

FRIZ

Joined
Jan 21, 2005
Messages
259
“Redesigning the Native…We would certainly want to get the opinions of the knife afi's (aficianado's) as well, as to what mods would be desired.”
By Sal

Hi Sal:
Here is my input for redesigning the Native.:D

1) 4 way clip,
2) Dual liners,
3) A maximum 3-inch blade,
4) A G-10 version,

Thank you,
Regards,
FRIZ
 
I would love it if it were similar in construction to the E4/D4.

I also think a longer blade version would be a good idea. Basically an Endura with a more comfortable grip and a finger choil. It would grip similar to an inexpensive Manix
 
I was happy with the Native 1 for the most part. Few things stick out to me though:

-Blade seems too thick given the size of the knife
-Screws are favorable to pin construction for me
 
G10 front,Ti Frame lock,no swedge,clip same as now.
The perfect knife.
 
I used this every day at work. It's my vest knife. I love the EDC-ability. However, I am looking to pick up a CF spydie and can't seem to find one I'd like. I was seriously wishing a CF Native were offered. Or at least a G-10 to make it a little upscale. The FRN is cheap and ok, but it seems a tad low-rent and plasticky. It's a much better knife and should be offered with more skins...
 
No, or shorter swedge (if there has to be one, than more like Police or Worker), same construction as D4/E4. Aside from that its a design that is hard to improve.
 
I see nothing at all wrong with making the blade 'city legal' for many users by reducing the blade to an accurate 3" measurement or even slightly less. The difference between what it is now and that 3" measurement would not even be noticed using it in my opinion.I know I've been asked and paid to reprofile more than one city dwellers Native over the years. I can think of four right off the top of my head but its not the only knife. I've done that to Centefonte IIIs, several BenchMades and a host of other knives just over the legal limit where folks live that want them legal.

I rather like the idea of a four way option to mount the clip.

Lets look at the facts. FRN is every bit as strong and durable as G10 and probably less expensive to produce. I think FRN just has a more plastic look to it that people associate with cheap. Otherwise its going to hold its own with either Micarta or G10 in every way. Its my opinion after doing countless clip mods that FRN actually holds threads better than either of those other materials. Maybe just texturing FRN the same way G10 is done or something like that or a hand checkered look would give it more appeal there for the guys that don't care for it???


On the issue of steel liners: Hey, it would be very nice to see but really to me FRN is ok by itself. And besides, its good for business. In more ways than just for Spyderco. I agree steel liners would add to the cost of the knife so to me that is kind of an iffy area. They do add some ridgidity and strength though, but a large part of the appeal of the Native is the affordability of it from any Wally world that sells them for around $40 plus or minus. So I can't see them doing all of the Natives they make with liners.

Liners are great but really if you ask me they are not as important as the spring holder. I can't tell you how many people have approached me asking me to rebuild the FRN spacer/spring holder in their D4 knives and replace it with one out of metal or titanium. If just the spring holder were made out of metal and Spyderco skipped the metal liners it would be a super improvement in the expected longevity of the knife IMO, but to do both would be the difference between a knife that would see retirement in your lifetime (if you really used it I mean) vs one that is a hand me down for your kids when they grow up.

Truthfully I don't see it selling as well to the guys really beating the knives up daily at their jobs if it goes up in price. At $40 a pop so what if it sees retirement just buy another one. The only thing you may have to contend with there is a newer better blade steel.

STR
 
First of all, I have to say that I love my Native III. I've been carrying it every day for about a year now, and it's a great companion. It's not perfect, but it would only take two things to get very close:

1) My main gripe with the knife is it's size: it's too small! I'm not huge (6' 4", 215 lbs), but I'm big enough that the knife just feels too small in my hand. I think the construction, lines, ergonomics and feel are great -- just not big enough. So make one with a 3.75" or 4" blade!

2)I MUCH prefer flat ground blades to hollow. My Ontario Knives RAT7 D2 will slice through apples and other fruit better than my Native III, because the hollow grind makes it wedge. So give it a flat grind, and we're golden!

Because of these niggling problems (and because, yeah, I like to get new knives) I'll be purchasing a Manix soon, and most likely start carrying that. I don't like the look as much, and don't like the idea of spending $100, but I hear it's a great knife, so I'm sure it'll be worth it.

Sal, if you're still interested in revamping the Native III, make it bigger, give it a flat ground blade, and you've definitely got an order coming from me!

Thanks for such great knives.
 
if memory serves me correctly the delica/endura didn't have a big price increase with the steel liners. in fact a quick search on the net showed that the price is the same for some retailers.

i'd like to see a D4/E4 version of the native with a steel lock holder as well. this would make it stronger, and if the prices for the D4/E4 are any indication, not too expensive. flat ground would be preferred but hollow is ok if it keeps cost down. no swedge but if you must the Native III swedge is better. 4 way clip is a must. and lastly keep it slim like the native and not "3D" like the native III.

my dream, high end native would have G-10, steel liners, S30V, and compression or BB lock...
 
I've never tried the newer models, but the lock one my Native 1 is garbage. It always comes unlock when I need ti the most. Other then that, I got no complains.
 
Vivi said:
I was happy with the Native 1 for the most part. Few things stick out to me though:

-Blade seems too thick given the size of the knife
-Screws are favorable to pin construction for me[/QUOTE

Find a way to use screws
Click to expand...
 
A few thoughts:

1) A flat ground blade would be my first priority.

2) The blade thickness does seem like overkill for an FRN handle but then I haven't done any destructive testing :D.

3) I would love to see the D'Allara ball lock steel liner frn hand construction adapted to the Native 3 ergonomics. Given the price and apparently low volume of the D'allaras it appears that it could still retail under $50.
 
The only thing I would change on the Native would be the clip. A wire clip would be nice.
 
- Full steel liners
- G-10
- S30V
- Screws

The above would be the icing on the cake.
 
I personally would like it bigger (atleast 3.5", wide ricasso reduces cutting edge drastically) with (full) flat ground blade (without false edge), double steel liners with either G10 or Micarta scales and as STR pointed with metal spring holder (I guess it would be implied with steel liners) and with screw construction.

Question is wheter it still be Native or not?


Maybe creating new model would be easier?
 
I would also like the see a longer blade with a combo of G10 and micarta.
 
Been carrying the Native (s30v) for about a month now. No hard useage just EDC bullshit around here (that will change with summer). Anyways, I'll keep it to a simple 3...

3" or slightly less blade length. Won't reduce useability, and with just over 3" from handle to tip, it is technically no legal in many places and not enough to blade to make use of the extra length.

Steel Liners. I haven't really had a problem, but I guess I just don't trust a folder without them. So thats really personal preference at this point (until if/when i have a problem with handles failing).

Screws. One thing that really cooks my frosting is that I can't tear it down to clean out the pivot and get all the gunk out of the mechinism. Again, not a problem lately, but for a work knife (which comes with the summer time) this is definately an issue as every single one I've owned has gotten beyond dirty in a very short time, and I usually take them down and clean them up monthly (or more often).
 
I really don't have a problem with the Native as it is presently produced - It has been my EDC for quite a few years now. If you decide to upgrade it, give us some advance notice, so I can stockpile a few.:)

Only changes that may improve it are: steel liners, screw construction, and the option of upgrading handle materials - I don't have a problem with FRN.
 
I'm on my third Native (II), this one courtesy of Spyderco. (I have a bad habit of losing mine every 3 years or so.) I've also given one Native II and two Native IIIs to friends.

Everything's a compromise, but the Native, as currently produced, is a damn good one. I've even used mine while scrambling to get mortar rounds out (it's hell trying to pull & prep the 120mm rounds when it's been below 20' for weeks) to repel attack. Dropped it in the rush to cover my ears when the gun was going off, found it later in the mushed snow and dirt of the mortar pit...wiped it off, good to go.

I've carried a CRKT Desert Cruiser, a Buck/Stryder, and one of the WAVED Enduras here (though honestly, I got the Endura because I planned on getting a Speed Dialer for it, to mount on my body armor [[Eric!!!!]]), but the Native is the best combination of low profile, ergonomic light weight cutting ability I can imagine.

John
 
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