Redesigning the Native

FRIZ said:
“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.” - Sal
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wild_natives.jpg

Full flat ground damascus blade with no swedge, undented lockbar, nice looking scales between double stainless bolsters, no clip. :D
 
Sal,
I like the spydies just the way you guys build em. I also like the way you
price them just fine. You make your money without raping and pillageing.
Thank you for putting out such a great blade at an affordable price.
 
I thought making the native a full fat grind would homogenise it too much - but looking at the Deacons designs I'm on board.

Do to the native what you did to the Caly3 Sal and this sandgroper will be ordering a couple.
 
FRIZ said:
“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
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YEP! :thumbup: Read my mind. IMHO, this is a truly all-around model. I did see though over at the Spydie home forums that there was a large (Endura sized?) but metal-handled prototype sometime ago that never saw production.

Personally, this would rival the BHB Crucible, which I'm still debating whether to get or not because they look so much alike (but I'd miss the opening hole and the security of a lock-back).
 
A lot of the above ideas would skyrocket the price of the Native, mainly the G-10, and don't we already have the manix? The FRN seems really solid to me, I don't use the FRN to grip, anyone who has used this knife knows that between using the choil and a strong grip the knife isn't gonna go anywhere, I love how thick the blade is, I think it's a brilliant design.

:)
Phil

edit: I was sitting in class today and realized what a brilliant idea volcano texturing is, it let's the knife remain relatively smooth in the center but the ends of the knife (think about it slipping out of your hand) are more grippy, it's very ingenious...
 
My humble noobish Spyderco Native opine ?

Leave the blade shape Alone.
The blade with it's handsome , intimidating swedge is absolute perfection. Leave the steel type alone , it works fine and is easy for me to get razor sharp. The blade itself is very attractive , the thumb notches are perfection.
The only thing I would do differently is use torx screws instead of rivets.
I did polish my clip and the cross slot screw to a mirror finish , left the Spyder logo black , that combo looks very nice , much nicer than the stock black clip and screw , but that's my pref.
I think it would be neat if there were a handle upgrade one for folks who dont mind spending a few more bucks , G10 or whatever. An exotic wood would even be nicer , maybe something cheap like Quince.

Alas like some of you have said , the way the Native is now is why it is so cost effective and that is fine by me.
It is a knife I would (and have) recommend to anyone.
 
Anytime one of these threads pop-up, it's inevitable that about half of the many responses suggest ideas that completely morph the knife in-question into something completely different.

G-10 would increase the cost of the knife. Keep the FRN. The "But it's PLASTIC!!" people momentarily forget the rational behind why it's FRN and not G-10. It makes for a fine handle material for it's intended purpose. While I prefer the warm-feeling, grippy texture of Spyderco G-10, the texturing on the FRN is very-well done. See also: STR's point about the Wal-Mart Native.

Steel liners or nested-steel liners are not necessary. They add weight and cost to the knife. Given the 4" handle size, there is minimal amount of flex in the FRN handles.

I like the flatter handles on the Native I, but really like the wire clip on the Native III. Maybe a four-way wire clip?

I like the compression lock very, very much. Although it's not totally ambidextrous, I'd like to see it used more-often in both future & updated models. I think that the compression lock and wire clips are both simplistic, practical, and high-performance in nature (all qualities of Spyderco), and will become staples in later models. It's a pipe-dream, but how about the compression lock used in a FRN model? Like, the Native? :) Just on the locking side, though... to conserve weight and cost.

I think most of these suggestions that people pose are merely perceptions that have little (if any) no bearing on how the actual knife performs. I've had zero problems with my liner-less knives. My Pacific Salt had too much flex when I squeezed the handles together, so I sold it. Would that flexing have any adverse effects on how the knife performed? Nope. What the hell is the knife going to do? Flex while I'm prying open that oil drum? It's my PERCEPTION that led me to sell it. All this GIVE ME G-10, FLAT GRIND, FULL STEEL LINERS, etc... look around the rest of the catalog and you may find something that fits the bill. ;)
 
We've got a design in the works with the features you have requested. Variations may also be possible. With so many designs being worked on at the same time, they all take longer.

The plan would be to bring thge liteweight up to Endura4/Delica4 features. An additional larger size could be possible.

Native development needs to be coordinated with WalMart.

sal
 
My only input is to give it a bigger hole for opening since on the native III a portion of the opening hole pentrates into the handle. I wouldn't mind the handle being slimmed down a bit either, it's kind of thick for EDC.
 
rebeltf said:
My humble noobish Spyderco Native opine ?

Leave the blade shape Alone.
The blade with it's handsome , intimidating swedge is absolute perfection. Leave the steel type alone , it works fine and is easy for me to get razor sharp. The blade itself is very attractive , the thumb notches are perfection.
The only thing I would do differently is use torx screws instead of rivets.
I did polish my clip and the cross slot screw to a mirror finish , left the Spyder logo black , that combo looks very nice , much nicer than the stock black clip and screw , but that's my pref.
I think it would be neat if there were a handle upgrade one for folks who don't mind spending a few more bucks , G10 or whatever. An exotic wood would even be nicer , maybe something cheap like Quince.

Alas like some of you have said , the way the Native is now is why it is so cost effective and that is fine by me.
It is a knife I would (and have) recommend to anyone.
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It's funny that the one thing I want to keep on new updates on FRN knives is the FRN and the first thing on the chopping block in most of these treads is FRN. Cost aside, I prefer FRN to all other handle materials. And further proof that I'm a kook, I don't mind rivets. Once adjusted the rivets and tension stay put. The most amazing thing about FRN Spydies to me is how rugged such a light weight knife can be. Super tough and super light. Engineering genius. IMO, it don't get no better than that. Oh yeah, it does. Cheaper. :D

I gotta agree with Reb. The more I use the Native, the more it impresses me. Function and aesthetics are superb. The blade shape and grind look and perform great. Not every knife need be a flat grind. I guess I'm doomed though. I like a sabre grind for hard use and FRN. That's the first two things on the chopping block in these type threads. Don't do it Sal. Don't listen to the G10 flat grind Borgs. :)

Keeping in spirit with the thread I'd change:
  • The Clip to a wire clip
  • Different steels. Just for variety

 
Having used my Walmart Native now for a couplke of weeks I think I am ready to chime in. I like tha handle material and don't think steel liners are necessary. Although screws rather then pins would be better for us curious folks who like to dismantel and tinker with them. 2nd I wouldn't mind seeing more jimping added futher along the blade for those of us who have bigger sized hands. Lastly a low rider clip like the one on the Caly III and that would make an awesome Native.
 
HHUMM,looks like the old one could be made just for Wal Mart.
That way there could be the value Native for Wal Mart and the improved Native for dealers.
 
If you do go with a wire clip please design it so as a regular clip can be swapped out on it.
Of coarse I just got a mini Manix and it is IMO almost everything I could have wanted in a upgraded Native.
 
I think the Native III is one of the 'better' Spyderco designs. I don't mean just either aesthetically or ergonomically.... far from that.

I mean for its price point, materials, ergo's etc... it represents a great blade, from a great company using good materials at a price that is good for people who need a nice EDC that can do the job well.

IMHO.... I think the 'fatter' handles on the Native III feels better than the I or II, but the fact that the Spyderhole does not fully present itself to your thumb (some sort of mating ritual between thumb and hole :P) means you have to get your fat thumbs pushed further in between the handle and the 3/4 hole.

Full hole exposure please :)
 
datan said:
I think the Native III is one of the 'better' Spyderco designs. I don't mean just either aesthetically or ergonomically.... far from that.

I mean for its price point, materials, ergo's etc... it represents a great blade, from a great company using good materials at a price that is good for people who need a nice EDC that can do the job well.

IMHO.... I think the 'fatter' handles on the Native III feels better than the I or II, but the fact that the Spyderhole does not fully present itself to your thumb (some sort of mating ritual between thumb and hole :P) means you have to get your fat thumbs pushed further in between the handle and the 3/4 hole.


The only thing I do not like about the Native 3 is the wire clip.
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Sal Glesser said:
The plan would be to bring thge liteweight up to Endura4/Delica4 features.
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Thank you Sir! The Native is my favourite Spyderco by far, I'll start saving my pennies. :-)

I assume it will remain a mid-lock, rather than go to a modern lock like the Compression or the Ball?
 
Sounds like its getting the machine screws instead of rivet, steel liners (skeletonized?) and the bushings. If so I may have to buy a new one eventually (I have no doubt I can bust up my current native on the job this summer).
 
S30V blade as thick as the VG10 blade on the Native III. Full G10 handle. Four position wire clip. Two sizes, 3.5" and 2.95"

And a fixed blade version! S30V, G10 handle, full tang. 4"
 
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