Sage 2 Ti or Native 5

[White.Lightning]

I currently own a Benchmade 940 Osborne knife, satin plain edge. I like the knife, it has served me well, but I might be in the market to sell it (or trade) for something different for EDC. I wear khakis to work currently, so it shouldn't be a big/heavy knife. I was recommended the Spyderco Native 5 or Sage 2 Ti.

Does anyone have experience with the knives I listed?
How do they compare to the BM 940?
Are the Native 5 and Sage 2 Ti 'noticeably' better/nicer than my Spyderco Tenacious?

Any/all input is appreciated.

 

[Brock O Lee]

I do not have experience with a BM 940, but I do own both a Sage 2 and a Native 5.

They are the same size. The Native is a good knife, but I prefer the Sage 2. It has better ergo's - it's just a little bit thinner with rounder edges than the Native 5, so its more comfy in hand.
I also like the Sage 2's flow through design for easy cleaning, and the low ride wire clip.

With Khakis the ti color of the Sage 2 will fit right in.

 

[Honed_Edge]

I lack the Native, but have a 940-1 and a Sage 2.

I carried the Sage for a bit over a year. It is a fantastic knife. I love the pure simplicity and beauty. The materials are top notch and have excellent fit and finish. The Taichung factory produces amazing knives. The ergonomics and blade steel are great for my light edc needs. I think the Sage 2 is also very very strong. It has no flex and cuts with authority!

I have carried the 940 for a month. Let me compare the sage to something you know. The Sage 2 is heavier and takes up more pocket space. The Sage has a taller blade and that does make it harder for more small detail work. The Ti handles will show small amounts of wear (character) but are exceptionally strong. If you like the 940's axis lock, then a frame or back lock is very different. The axis is effortless, the Sage's frame lock isn't the easiest thing to do one handed.

EDITED: If possible, drive to a knife shop and hold them in hand. Put them in your pocket and practice opening them. Nothing beasts hands on. For me, it's and hour or more drive. However, I have been upset repeatedly at online only purchases. From now on, if realistically possible, I want to buy in person.

 

[shuutr]

I own all four listed. Yes both the safe 2 and native 5 are better than the tenacious. Better steel and smoother action. They are both noticeably shorter than the 940 but still plenty of length. The 940 takes less pocket space but again the length can be a bit much.

I like the 940, sage 2 and native 5.

I think you won't be disappointed in either

 

[White.Lightning]

I like the 940, sage 2 and native 5.

If you had to pick just one of those three for EDC/'do-it-all', which would it be and why?

 

[KyleMS11]

Native 5 is one of my 3 favorite edc. Super strong great ergos and love the s35vn. As far as the sage 2 i have handled one never owned one but i would look into the sage 3 that is currently my favorite edc followed by the native 5. The bolt action on the sage 3 is the smoothest lock ive ever used. Always find myself fecommending this knife because it is one of the best spydercos out and one of the most underrated.

 

[shuutr]

If you had to pick just one of those three for EDC/'do-it-all', which would it be and why?

Of those three, that's a hard choice, but for a "do it all EDC" I'd probably take the Sage 2. Dollar for quality (especially with new BM pricing) Sage 2 steel and smooth action are hard to beat. Add to that the sage is elegant enough for a nice night out, tough enough to handle any tasks, comes with the deep carry clip minimizes exposure to others and the length is sufficient for tasks big and small but not alarming to a lot of people.

It's hard to go wrong with the Sage 2 but it is a tight race.

If I were to go native, I'd prefer the frn native (weight and texture).

All that being said, I'm with the last poster, the sage 3 carbon keeps all those factors and adds to it a axis like action which is awesome.

 

[Krissig12]

Are the Native 5 and Sage 2 Ti 'noticeably' better/nicer than my Spyderco Tenacious?

Is this even a question? Poke around the forum a bit an it will become quite evident. YES, both are LEAGUES ahead of the tenacious. My first knife was a tenacious, my second was the native 5. It's like night and day. The attention to detail on the native is much better, not to mention the better materials, and there's really no comparison in quality between it and the tenacious. However, I recently got the sage 2 as well, and honestly, it puts even the N5 to shame in fit and finish. It's just incredible. Super light, excellent ergos, and a really cool overall knife. If you can swing the cash, go for it. It's totally worth it in my opinion
You are essentially getting a small spyderco sebenza but for much less money

 

[Surfingringo]

The sage 2 is a great knife. Fit finish and quality are of a level with knives twice the price. The benchmade 940 carries slim for such a long blade, but both the sage and the native have ergonomics that are far superior to those of the 940 IMHO. If I was looking for a "do it all" I would probably get a paramilitary 2 over either but whatever...now I'm just trying to confuse you. . Get yourself a Sage 2. It is a spectacular knife and you won't be disappointed.

 

[whp]

Look at the sage 1. I like it better than my native 5. I agree that the best all around knife for edc is the paramilitary 2.

 

[White.Lightning]

Native 5 is one of my 3 favorite edc. Super strong great ergos and love the s35vn. As far as the sage 2 i have handled one never owned one but i would look into the sage 3 that is currently my favorite edc followed by the native 5. The bolt action on the sage 3 is the smoothest lock ive ever used. Always find myself fecommending this knife because it is one of the best spydercos out and one of the most underrated.

I'd rather get away from the axis/bolt action. I use the thumb stud to deploy my BM940 more than I do the axis lock.

Of those three, that's a hard choice, but for a "do it all EDC" I'd probably take the Sage 2. Dollar for quality (especially with new BM pricing) Sage 2 steel and smooth action are hard to beat. Add to that the sage is elegant enough for a nice night out, tough enough to handle any tasks, comes with the deep carry clip minimizes exposure to others and the length is sufficient for tasks big and small but not alarming to a lot of people.

Sounds about right.

Is this even a question? Poke around the forum a bit an it will become quite evident. YES, both are LEAGUES ahead of the tenacious. My first knife was a tenacious, my second was the native 5. It's like night and day. The attention to detail on the native is much better, not to mention the better materials, and there's really no comparison in quality between it and the tenacious. However, I recently got the sage 2 as well, and honestly, it puts even the N5 to shame in fit and finish. It's just incredible. Super light, excellent ergos, and a really cool overall knife. If you can swing the cash, go for it. It's totally worth it in my opinion
You are essentially getting a small spyderco sebenza but for much less money

I knew the answer would be no contest, but I had to ask. I see a definite quality difference from my $180 BM940 to my $40 Spydie Tenacious. Didn't know if it was such a drastic jump to say the ~$100 Native 5. It seems like the Sage 2 Ti is the way to go. I wonder if I should just post my BM for sale, or see if someone would want to trade???

The sage 2 is a great knife. Fit finish and quality are of a level with knives twice the price. The benchmade 940 carries slim for such a long blade, but both the sage and the native have ergonomics that are far superior to those of the 940 IMHO. If I was looking for a "do it all" I would probably get a paramilitary 2 over either but whatever...now I'm just trying to confuse you. . Get yourself a Sage 2. It is a spectacular knife and you won't be disappointed.

I'd rather carry a slightly smaller knife for EDC. Especially since I'm wearing khakis and what not. If size wasn't of concern, I'd carry a PM2 or ZT0566 size knife. The Sage 2 seems to be taking the lead.

Look at the sage 1. I like it better than my native 5. I agree that the best all around knife for edc is the paramilitary 2.

Noted. Thanks.

 

[redfeenix]

Seconded. The Sage 1 is imo a lot better if you're going to EDC it, the Ti handles on the Sage 2 will develop scratch marks with time and become "worn" not that its a bad thing....the worn look does look good, but if you're on a budget the Sage 1 is the way to go and you only miss out on the Ti scales, everything else is the same and its lighter too...which is what you're looking for.

 

[Wolverine666]

I much prefer the Native5. I like the lock and the look of the stainless back spacer too. And the blade is more hidden when closed than the Sage knives.

 

[powernoodle]

If you are used to the 940, I think that the Native will feel like a brick in comparison. The Native will be bigger, thicker and heavier than what you are used to. The Sage 2 will take up more space in your pocket than the 940. Neither are heavy per se, but they will be bigger in the hand and the pocket than what you are used to.

I love Spyderco, but honestly for an office environment I would stick with the 940. It really maxes out on the utility to size ratio, which is exactly what you want in an office.

If you are jonesing for a new knife, that's cool. I feel your pain. But maybe consider adding to the 940 rather than selling or trading it away.

 

[bh49]

Native5 for the last few years is my favorite EDC. I never owned 940. Out of all Sages I owned only original Sage, but I never was attracted or impressed. It is never even made to EDC. For my hand Natives ergos are much better. They are fantastic. It is a little thicker and feels better in the hand.

 

[flarp]

I've got both (and a 940). It's a toss-up for me between the Native5 and Sage2. I'll echo Surfingringo's sentiment of preferring the PM2 over either of those two though. The Spydies are going to have a larger footprint in pocket than the 940, but the ergos are pretty nice (perhaps slightly favoring the Native5). The Sage2 is nice and thin and has a deep, discrete-carry clip.

Here's the Native5 and Sage2 next to the 940 and Tenacious (you mentioned having both). I included a PM2 as well for comparison.

 

[White.Lightning]

I've got both (and a 940). It's a toss-up for me between the Native5 and Sage2. I'll echo Surfingringo's sentiment of preferring the PM2 over either of those two though. The Spydies are going to have a larger footprint in pocket than the 940, but the ergos are pretty nice (perhaps slightly favoring the Native5). The Sage2 is nice and thin and has a deep, discrete-carry clip.

Here's the Native5 and Sage2 next to the 940 and Tenacious (you mentioned having both). I included a PM2 as well for comparison.

flarp to the rescue! Thanks for the pics.

I think the PM2 might be a little big for my liking for EDC. These pictures affirm that the Sage 2 and Native 5 are extremely close, if not identical, in size/shape. I am expecting a Sage 2 to arrive this week on loan. Once I receive it, I'll be sure to take some pics or post my thoughts. I'll also see if I can borrow a Native 5 to truly determine whats best for me. I might sell the BM940, or I might 'add' to the collection. Not sure yet.

 

[bh49]

If you want something slimmer Caly3/3.5 is always an option.

 

[frank64]

I have the sage 2, it has been my daily etc for a while now. I love this knife. It has done everything I have asked of it and more. Just this past weekend I spent a few hours whittling with my son. I made a quite nice walking staff. That cpm s30v blade can handle some abuse. It also sharpens nicely. I have never handled a native, I had a 940 for a while but never carried it much.

 

[White.Lightning]

***UPDATE*** I had the pleasure of borrowing someones Sage 2 for a few days. Here are my findings.

My knife collection started with a SOG Flash II and then the Spyderco Tenacious. I sold the SOG Flash II and ended up purchasing my Benchmade 940. Until these past few days, I had never handled an 'ergonomic' knife. The Sage 2 is unbelievably comfortable in hand- almost like Spyderco designed it to fit in hand perfectly. The BM940, not so much. I feel that even the Tenacious has better ergo's than the BM940. I am expecting a loaner Native 5 to arrive late this week, or early next week. Once it arrives I can then make a decision as to which knife is best for me. So far I am very impressed by the Sage 2.

Here are some pictures illustrating the ergo's for those who haven't handled one.....