Spyderco Native III (VG-10)

J

JNieporte

Joined
Nov 1, 2004
Messages
3,352
No, this isn't the Native you're used to. It's not S30V. It doesn't have the blcky jimping. It doesn't have a solid pocket clip. And it doesn't have the spiderweb handle texture. This is the Vg-10 Spyderco Native III, model number C78PBK. I chose this because I actually prefer VG-10 to S30V, and the knives are very close in price ($51 for the S30V version and $56 for the VG-10 version). The Native III weighs in at 2.8 ounces.

sp78pbk.jpg


Here are the details...

The Handle: The Native III's handle is made of grippy black FRN in Spyderco's trademark Bi-Directional texture, similar to their Volcano Grip. It's 4" long closed and 1/2" thick. The choil is the same shape, size, and location as the S30V version of the Native, and does its job efficiently. Other differences in the handle include jimping on the butt for a really secure grip in reverse grip, and shallow grooves on each side. These help with indexing the handle when drawing from your pocket. The pocket clip is also different; it's a wire clip instead of a solid piece of steel. It's reversible for tip up carry, left or right handed. It can be removed with a coin or large Phillips screwdriver. The clip is pretty good: it's tight enough without being too tight, it's high enough without being too high, and it's out of the way when using the knife.
As big of a fan as I am of the S30V Native, I'm an even bigger fan of this one. The handle feels much more comfortable, and I've always loved Spyderco's wire clips.
The knife locks open via lockback, and it's located in the middle of the handle. It has the David Boye dent in it, which reduces weight by a tiny bit and gives you a groove to use as an index for closing the knife. Find the groove and push to close the knife; no guessing in the dark.

The Blade: The blade is the same size and shape of the other Native's blade; a spear point with a swedge. It's made of VG-10, and is 3-1/8" long (2-5/8" edge). It's 1/8" thick. The opening hole is just under 1/2" in diameter, and is comfortable to use. No sharp edges on this one, and although the hole is still partially covered by the handle, it's smooth and fast to open. Being made of VG-10, the blade also mentions that it's made in Seki City, Japan. Instead of the blocked, recessed jimping on the back of the blade, it's a different design; aggressive rear-leaning steps. They're spaced farther apart than the blockier ones on the S30V Native, and they're more aggressive. I find them to be much more useful.
The blade came out of the box shaving sharp and needed no touch-up. After slicing a few cardboard boxes up, it still shaved. The grind is a very shallow hollow grind, which at first I mistook for a flat grind. The swedge is a bit different; it goes farther back on the blade and isn't as pronounced. On the S30V Native, you could do some honing and have a sharp back edge, but the Native III won't allow this easily because the swedge is thicker and is more to reduce weight than for weaponization. The pivot pin is pinned and not adjustable, but it doesn't need any adjustment. Mine is perfect; not too loose and not too tight. I can SpyderDrop it easily, and it won't shake open.

The Native III is one of Spyderco's "sleeper" models, much like the Centofante series. I'm not sure why; I like it more than the S30V Native. If you haven't seen the Native III, give it a try. It's not the mighty S30V, but I think you'll be very pleasantly surprised by the usefulness of this different blade steel and handle design.

Here's Spyderco's page on the Native III... http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=61
 
I'm glad you posted this. I've been considering a Native for some time, but haven't pulled the trigger pretty much because I couldn't decide between the Native I and the Native III. It just seemed like nobody really had much experience with the III.

I have a question for you, though, if you also have a Griptilian (not mini). Does this knife ride higher or lower in the pocket than the Grip? Also, with the 3-d texturing, are the handles as wide as the Grip's?

Again, thanks for the review!
 
JNieporte- that was an excellent review. I look forward to your reviews. Keep em comming.:thumbup: I was a litle surprized that the S30V blade is slightly chearper than the VG-10.
 
Great review, I also prefer the Native 3 to the Native 1 because I much prefer it's ergonomics and wire clip to the Native 1, and I also prefer VG-10 to S30V. The 3D texturing and bumps and swells on the handle make this knife just feel great in your hand, and I definately will put up with the knife being thicker than the Native 1 to get the much better ergos. Mine had excellent factory geometry with a .019" edge right around 14 degrees per side. I ended up sending mine off to Tom Krein to get it full flat ground to a .010" edge for even better cutting. It is out on a passaround with my Krein reground Native 1 and Endura ZDP as well. I know that the Native 3 has the most ergonomic handle out of those 3 for me, and it was definately an excellent cutter from the factory that will outcut most of it's competitors, and it's steel was Rockwell tested to 59 RC. It sharpens up crisper than a lot of VG-10 that I have used, and those bumps and depressions that Sal Glesser designed into the handle paired with the wire clip make that knife a wonderful cutting tool that is an excellent value.

Mike
 
Nice review! These are great knives, and incredibly comfortable to use. This is the one that I recommended to my sister when she wanted something light to clip to her waistband when running. Once you have this knife in your hands, nothing short of "using the force" will ever pull this knife out of your hands.
 
sodak said:
Nice review! These are great knives, and incredibly comfortable to use. This is the one that I recommended to my sister when she wanted something light to clip to her waistband when running. Once you have this knife in your hands, nothing short of "using the force" will ever pull this knife out of your hands.
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I forgot to thank you for giving me my Native 3! Thanks again for that, and my Dad is loving that other high dollar gift that you couldn't stand to keep, as well. The Native 3 really locks into my hand, unlike the Native 1, and when you add in a wire clip and VG-10 instead of S30Vandthe choice becomes even clearer that the Native 3 is the best Native for me.

Mike
 
No problem, I'm glad you like it! Tell your Dad I'm probably happier than he is!

The ergonomics on the Native 3D are just impressive. It's a really hard knife to review because you just have to hold it to appreciate it. I like it *much* better than the S30V models, the ergos are just that good. Plus VG 10 steel is great also, not much you can do to improve upon this one!
 
Native 3 was my first spydie, and - so far - one of my favourite small knife. :thumbup: Great ergos, excellent blade shape and top steel - a real winner.
 
Thank you for an exelent rewiew. I have never seen this Spyderco in real life but it seams nice and your rewiew with perfect descriptions gives a good clue what to expect. I also like Spydercos VG-10. I think its my very favorite steel of all I tried.

Bosse
 
There is something wonderful about getting a new knife for relatively nothing and finding out just how good it is, compare this to a $350.00+ "OMG I Have been saving up for an age, I can't wait for the UPS man" knife and finding flaws before its out of the box.

Spyderco really do make some great sleepers, the Centofane, I agree is one. The other that springs to mind was the IIRC Almite Walker
 
I bought this knife when it first came out in 2002. It is a very nicely made knife. I will point out some of the issues that I have had with it. First, in the originals, the pivot pin was riveted too tight. It was a bear getting and closing the knife. The blade tightend up when the handle becomes warm and expands slightly. Spyderco might have taken care of this.
Secondly, the handle ergo depends on the grip and hand size. The biggest issue that I have had with this knife is the the lack of ability to get a full grip on this knife. This is due to the handle sticking out exactly at my middle finger.

Aside from the two that I mentioned, this is a great value and a great knife. I used it alot and edc-ed it for about 2=3 yrs.

I would recommend taking a look at and trying out this knife in person if possible.

God Bless
 
I have had one of these for several years but I never really carried it. I really hate the clip on this knife. I finally took the clip off and I now carry it loose in the pocket when I don't have a lot of other stuff to carry. Overall, I like the feel of the knife in my hand and it's one sweet user. I just wish Spyderco would lose the ugly, cheap shiney wire clip.
 
Lee48 said:
I just wish Spyderco would lose the ugly, cheap shiney wire clip.
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Uhh...the Spyderco wire clip is not "cheap." It costs more to make than a standard clip, plus, it won't snag on stuff as easily as a standard clip will. If you don't like the wire clip, there's always the Native I, the Native II (which you can still find all over the place), and the Native IV.;)

Regards,
3G
 
I like the wire clip and wish Spyderco would use it more. As 3G commented, I find that the wire clip snags less than others.
 
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