Spyderco Native: How Much Hype?

[Confederate]

You mean you see no beauty in a larger knife size? Actually, when I'm nervous
in my surroundings, I carry a 6-inch Voyager, not a 4-inch. But then, I had a guy
who recently passed me on the right during a traffic jam and unsuccessfully cut
me off in traffic. He pulled to a stop, then beat on my windows and try to open
my door threatening to kill me.

In Virginia I would have had a gun, but Maryland is a lilly-livered state. I try to be
cautious, that's why I had the doors locked and the windows up; however, as much
as I would like to limit my knife to opening Twinkies and packages from Smoky
Mountain Knife Works, I just have to think about the less pleasant aspects. Oh,
and did I mention I was mugged in Hawaii of all places and just about killed?

It does tend to make one think about SD once in a while.

Now getting back to Spyderco, they might not sell the kind of knife I'm interested
in to you, but there are many here with dozens of knives they don't need and
who have no intention of stopping (I'm one of them, alas). I think such a knife
may find a following. After all, 4-inch knives aren't new and they're just larger
tools than 3-inch knives. If I had large cutting jobs, the extra length would be
welcome. Cheers.

 

[carrot]

I for one, would enjoy seeing Spyderco venture outside of the 4" range for knives, despite that I couldn't carry them legally where I live. I often find that when I'm outdoors, a 3" blade is hardly enough for bushcrafty things and a 4" is only marginally better. 5" or 6" feels like a sweet spot, and I'd love to have a 5" Spyderco, folder or not.

Confederate, at some point Spyderco had a 4" "Native." Don't remember the model name but it looked great.

 

[Mirror-Saw]

I for one, would enjoy seeing Spyderco venture outside of the 4" range for knives, despite that I couldn't carry them legally where I live. I often find that when I'm outdoors, a 3" blade is hardly enough for bushcrafty things and a 4" is only marginally better. 5" or 6" feels like a sweet spot, and I'd love to have a 5" Spyderco, folder or not.

Confederate, at some point Spyderco had a 4" "Native." Don't remember the model name but it looked great.

I find a 3 to 4 inch blade just about perfect for bushcrafty things. The Manix looks to be a beefed up Native, it's certainly on my "must have" list.

 

[Sal Glesser]

Hi Confederate, Probably a new thread on the demand for a larger model (folder?) Spyderco would work better.

On SD, give me small razor sharp before big and dull.

Skill will trump size any day.

A P'Kal or waved Endura/Delica might surpize you in terms of performance.

sal

 

[carrot]

I find a 3 to 4 inch blade just about perfect for bushcrafty things. The Manix looks to be a beefed up Native, it's certainly on my "must have" list.

Actually I do find the Manix to be about as close to perfect for romping in the woods for a folder, but I only have the CE model. Planning on getting a PE model soon.

 

[Th232]

Confederate, at some point Spyderco had a 4" "Native." Don't remember the model name but it looked great.

I remember seeing a photo of a proto called the Bison, which looked like a larger Native. Never made it to production though.

 

[Confederate]

Oh, I've probably made my point on the 4-inchers, Sal...except one technical question. Having perused eBay, it seems most blades made from S30V are 3-inchers and below. Could it be that S30V has some problems working outside of that range? Has anyone heard of anyone breaking the blade of a Native? The chipping thing also leads me to suspect there may be a brittle problem. If it's designed to constantly chip in small amounts along the bottom to sustain an edge, it may be too brittle for larger blades.

 

[enderwiggin]

Oh, I've probably made my point on the 4-inchers, Sal...except one technical question. Having perused eBay, it seems most blades made from S30V are 3-inchers and below. Could it be that S30V has some problems working outside of that range? Has anyone heard of anyone breaking the blade of a Native? The chipping thing also leads me to suspect there may be a brittle problem. If it's designed to constantly chip in small amounts along the bottom to sustain an edge, it may be too brittle for larger blades.

Chip in small amounts to sustain an edge, like knapping flint? S30v has some chipping problems depending on the heat treat, but it's no more 'designed to chip' than any other very hard steel is. It's designed to hold an edge.

Yes, S30v is generally acknowledged as 'better suited' for shorter knives. Of course, I'm only drawing my info from what I've read in steel comparisons, general consensus around this board, and personal use.

However, I doubt this has much to do with the blade length of the Native. It's a 3" bladed folder because it was designed to be a 3" bladed folder.

 

[Sal Glesser]

There's plenty of big S30V blades out there. CRK makes one for the Military.

We've not had much demand for knives over 4" blade length. Just a few that think they need large folders. We have a 5" design, showed it at a few shows & Meets, maybe in the future.

sal

 

[pageophile]

Well . . . I've got a serious case of collecting Numerous knives, bought and traded. Usually carry two or three knives, got them all over the house and even a few at the office

Guess which knife keeps finding it's way back into my EDC rotation? The Native

Not too sure why but the overall balance comes to mind. Almost ideal balde shape, nice steel and a comfy handle. Add in the fact it's pretty Sheeple friendly and you can see why it's a keeper ! ! !

Would LOVE to see the D4 & E4 improvements incorperated into the Native maybe a Native 4

 

[Kaizen1]

Oh, I've probably made my point on the 4-inchers, Sal...except one technical question. Having perused eBay, it seems most blades made from S30V are 3-inchers and below. Could it be that S30V has some problems working outside of that range? Has anyone heard of anyone breaking the blade of a Native? The chipping thing also leads me to suspect there may be a brittle problem. If it's designed to constantly chip in small amounts along the bottom to sustain an edge, it may be too brittle for larger blades.

Chris Reeve and Trident Knives knives use S30V. I haven't read any complaints about those knives with chipping.