Spyderco Native or Kershaw Storm?

M

Messersmith

Joined
Jun 30, 2006
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I have $40 burning a hole in my pocket.... Wal Mart has the Spyderco Native for $40 and the Kershaw Storm for $30. Should I go for the Native or the Storm plus money towards my next knife?

They also have the Kershaw Leek for $45 which I would consider if it's better than either the Storm or Native. I know there are Spyderco groupies out there

Comments on any of these knives would be helpful. Thanks.
 
I would take a Spyderco over a Kershaw any time. The Native is a very, very good knife. If cost is that much of an issue for you, and you want a really good knife, I would consider a Byrd G10 Cara Cara or Meadowlark. These knives are superb, and kick the hell out of any offering by Kershaw, at any price point (IMO). Either the Cara Cara or the Meadowlark in G10 can be had for less that $30 (I would advise against the FRN versions, just based on personal preference). Byrds (made by Spyderco) are far and away the best "bang for the buck" in the knife world. You can order them online pretty much anywhere.

If you do a search for "Byrd Cara Cara" you'll see how many people rave about them (myself shamelessly included). I have a huge knife collection, of mostly knives that are much more expensive, and my Byrds are among my very favorites.
 
Thanks moonwilson. I just read a bunch of threads on the Cara Cara and Byrd knives in general. Seems great, especially with G10 scales. I didn't think G10 was available on knives in the $20 range. I'm going to call around and see in any of my local retailers carry Byrds.

Thanks also for your positive feedback on the Native.
 
As much as I'm tempted to say the Native (I am VERY Spydie biased:D ), I'm going to say, "It depends":)

The nice thing about the Native is you are getting a super steel, an extremely light knife that is fundamentally designed as a workhorse blade. BUT, under certain conditions, because of the thickness of the blade it's going to bind on you the odd time. You are might have a slightly harder time sharpening it, but you are going to get better edge retention too.

There's no getting away from the fact the Storm is a pretty neat looking knife - I'm actually thinking of getting one "because". Based on what I own in Kershaws, it's pretty good value for the dollar. I haven't picked one up yet, but it's also heavier based on specs. It also has a pretty drastic recurve that that may or may not be as useful depending on what you do. For me, the shape sort of just "jumps" out at me. Depending on who sees it, it may or may not be perceived in the best light. Depending on your hand size, the contouring may or may not fit your hand that well. I don't know if those are inserts or just painted in, but I would be a little concerned there as well. Can't venture an opinion on durability, but someone here might. I know the Native holds up:D

Based on my past experience with this blade shape (I have a Camillus EDC and Kershaw Whirlwind with similar recurves), it just didn't quite do it for me. But that's also me. I found that the Native is much more versatile but then I also EDC a Delica 4 every day (among others):D

The Leek, I would consider it closer to a "gentleman's" knife. Like the Native, it's going to be a relatively unassuming looking knife. I would put this one in the same category as something like the Calpyso Jr. It's a slicer but not necessarily a hard use blade. It's not that it can't be used that way - I've seen some Leeks pretty beat up and they're still ticking, but that's just how it struck me. The blade shape, a wharncliff, is a very underestimated blade shape, IMHO.

Based on your $40, if it was me and those were the only options, I would still get the Native. But, as moonwilson mentioned, the Bryds are no slouch either, especially at their price point. Up here, they Byrds run about $40 CDN but even at that, they are pretty tough to beat from a performance/value standpoint. I know these hold up - I used my Crow and SS Meadowlark for doing revenue property renos and they lived:thumbup: When I was stateside this spring, I managed to get one of the Natives and for me, it really was one of the bargains of a lifetime:)

Hope I didn't confuse too much - gord
 
I agree with pretty much what gordon said. I have the Native and think it's one of the best values for the money. Spyderco gives you amazing blade steel at the sacrifice of lower cost handle materials. The FRN handle feels ok. It doesn't have a SS liner either, so the handle is pure FRN (tho, the ease of both Delica and Native handles to flex with pressure is about the same). I also have a Delica4 and the texturing on the Delica's FRN is much more aggressive so tho it feels grippier, the smoother texturing on the Native is more comfortable. The look of the PE Native doesn't really raise alarms, but the full SE one just looks mean! (which may raise some eyebrows).

I've actually been looking into picking up a Byrd Cara Cara G10 or a Kershaw Storm also. As many mentioned, the Byrd line is an insane value! They are, however, a bit thicker than other knives. Something that swayed me away from a Byrd I was looking at before for my EDC. The Cara Cara or other knife would stay mostly at home for tasks use, so I'm not as concerned about thickness anymore. I like the Storm's design and I'm a big fan of recurve blades. I find the recurve shape, especially the heavy recurves, to be very useful. I use the large belly of heavy recurves to keep the cut going or even start a cut. I've never had 13C26 nor 8Cr13MoV steel, but both get good reviews so I'm looking forward to trying one of those out. The Storm and StormII represent the value a Kershaw provides (damn good) when the cost of the AO is removed.

Just FYI, a couple of Kershaws (and my Subcom) have replaced my Delica4 as my EDC. My Delica's not even being rotated in my EDC lineup anymore and I'm thinking of giving it away. It's a great knife and the handle fits my hand well, better than the Native (full 4 finger grip instead of 3), but I have enough knifes now that I can be pickier on other characteristics like aesthetics and I don't find the Delica very attractive. Actually, I think the Cara Cara's quite ugly, but as a utility/task knife, it can do the job fine. Also, I prefer thumbstuds over holes for opening.

In the end, try to feel as much of the knives you're contemplating as actually handling them will narrow the choices considerably, if not make the decision for you.
 
save for a better knife. some like spyderco and some kershaw. I guess they will cut. but to me a knife is more than a sharp edge.

If you need a sharp edge get the better of the two you mentioned. You never save money buying a cheap knife.

and I would never buy a chinese knife.
 
Those are two great affordable knives, and despite some comments I've read, they can hold their own against my 100+ dollar knives in every way but looks. I really like the blade shape of the Storm, and the handle looks and feels higher quality (once that grip tape gets worn in a little). But I really like the ergonomics of the Native. I especially like the Native III because of the wire clip. The steel, either way, probably out classes the Storm, but they're both good.

I could flip back either way, but if I were to buy one today, I'd get the Native. I'd say flip a coin--you can always buy the other one down the road, and you're going to be happy with either.
 
I have all three ( Leek , Storm II and Native) , I really thought about this for a minute and asked myself ....which one would you replace if lost.... It didn't take me long to answer ...the Storm II. This doesn't account for which steel is better or any other spec data other than my own personal preferences.

The Storm is a heavy, full sized, frame locking pocket knife. It just looks and feels more expensive than it is. While the Native is a very good utility knife, the StormII has some style. Of course things like style are subjective, but IMO you get a much better feeling when you hold a Storm and realize it only cost $30.00.

I would suggest going to Wally's and holding all three..... Also check the Native for blade play... some have it, some don't and while some say it's OK , it bugs me....
 
JPD - how smooth/easy is it to open the Storm with the thumbstud? Some of the low cost Bucks, tho I like them for aesthetics and size, are hard to open smoothly with the thumbstud without putting my hand/thumb in a different position than I normally do. Just seems the leverage point is off in some of those Bucks (Mantis, Pilot). Is the Storm easy to open (right leverage point)?
 
I will take Native over Storm without even thinking. Great ergo, great steel which hold the edge, light. I carry it for about a year.
 
The Native was always my one of my favorite Spydies, but I am much more likely to be carrying my Storm II these days. It is a very solid knife, excellent steel, locks up tight, it's a great slicer, and as big as it is, it's easy to carry because it's so flat. And that tiny flipper really does flip the blade right out!
 
JSR said:
JPD - how smooth/easy is it to open the Storm with the thumbstud? Some of the low cost Bucks, tho I like them for aesthetics and size, are hard to open smoothly with the thumbstud without putting my hand/thumb in a different position than I normally do. Just seems the leverage point is off in some of those Bucks (Mantis, Pilot). Is the Storm easy to open (right leverage point)?
Click to expand...

You can easily flip it with the slanted thumb studs or top flipper, it is a very smooth operating knife.
 
Haha, I didn't even know it had a flipper. Good to know...hmm, really tempted to pick one up. Need to swing by Walmart to see if they have one I can handle.
 
Thanks for all the comments. I called around and none of my local retailers carry Byrd knives, so that is out until I can see and handle one.

Sounds like both the Native and Storm are good knives. Are they both made in the US? Not that it makes a huge difference but it might sway me a little. I guess I need to handle each and then make a final decision. I'll probably end up with both of them at some point!
 
Messersmith said:
Thanks for all the comments. I called around and none of my local retailers carry Byrd knives, so that is out until I can see and handle one.

Sounds like both the Native and Storm are good knives. Are they both made in the US? Not that it makes a huge difference but it might sway me a little. I guess I need to handle each and then make a final decision. I'll probably end up with both of them at some point!
Click to expand...

Native and Storm are made in the US , Byrd line is made in China for Spyderco
 
Having owned both, I would choose the Spyderco.
 
So I go to Wal Mart and handle both knives. I really didn't like the way the Storm felt in my hand. It seemed to be well made but it just didn't feel right. Also the grippy stuff on the handle was a little too much for me, reminded me of the safety tread on my deck steps. The Native was nice and I almost got it, but then I asked to see the Kershaw Leek... wow.. nice knife.... so I bought the Leek for $45. It's my first assisted opening knife and I can't put it down. I just keep flicking the blade open (I'm easily amused). It's really slick. I'll have to post an update after I carry it over the weekend.
 
Messersmith said:
So I go to Wal Mart and handle both knives. I really didn't like the way the Storm felt in my hand. It seemed to be well made but it just didn't feel right. Also the grippy stuff on the handle was a little too much for me, reminded me of the safety tread on my deck steps. The Native was nice and I almost got it, but then I asked to see the Kershaw Leek... wow.. nice knife.... so I bought the Leek for $45. It's my first assisted opening knife and I can't put it down. I just keep flicking the blade open (I'm easily amused). It's really slick. I'll have to post an update after I carry it over the weekend.
Click to expand...

Good Luck, the Leek is an excellent knife.....
 
Messersmith said:
So I go to Wal Mart and handle both knives. I really didn't like the way the Storm felt in my hand. It seemed to be well made but it just didn't feel right. Also the grippy stuff on the handle was a little too much for me, reminded me of the safety tread on my deck steps. The Native was nice and I almost got it, but then I asked to see the Kershaw Leek... wow.. nice knife.... so I bought the Leek for $45. It's my first assisted opening knife and I can't put it down. I just keep flicking the blade open (I'm easily amused). It's really slick. I'll have to post an update after I carry it over the weekend.
Click to expand...

Congratulations!

It may be late but I prefer Storm over Native, can not manage to hold native! Handle is so uncomfortable for me. Sttorm may be bith thin, but Native is made not for human hands - IMHO.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
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