Spyderco Native Problems?

C

Cold Kill

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I am seriously considering buying a Native FRN, but I figured it would be wise asking here before I make the purchase. The only thing that I am not asking about is the ergonomics, I like how it fits my hand.
How well does the steel hold a razor-sharp edge compared to a steel like AUS-8?

How well does the pocket clip fare, in terms of flexibility and durability?

How easy is the knife to open 1 handed?

Does the blade generally cut well, geometry and steel?

Thank you in advance for any answers or information.
 
The only problem I have with the Native is that I only have one.
Blade steel S30V is great. Holds and edge a long time
Pocket clip is great. I took the black paint off. Clip seems durable.
Easy to open. Makes a great loud "Thunk". The Spydie Hole could be a tad bit larger.
Blade geometry is very good. Holds an edge well. Cuts great. Not a FFG.
Handle and ergos are awesome.
Quit f ing around and get the dang thing. You wil not regret.
 
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Im happy with mine, I think you would like it. When I first got it I was disappointed because it wasnt as sharp as it should of been from the factory. It was my first S30V and it took forever to get shaving sharp on my Sharpmaker. Im careful now not to let it get too dull. The clip is fine but I did recently take mine off and bend it to make it tighter on my pocket. As far as easy opening goes, mine is one of my easiest to open and close one handed. Its also easy to carry, light weight and nice length for EDC.
 
My first Spyderco was a Native FRN earlier this year, my thoughts:
+ Great ergos, fits great in the hand
+ S30V is a great steel
+ Thick blade & FRN handles makes this thing a user
+ Great pocket clip, seems very durable
+ Very easy to open one handed
- Mine came a bit dull from the factory, fixed with the Sharpmaker
- Spyderhole could be a bit bigger and be a little further out from the handle
- Locks up tight but a little lose when open, can't tighten pivot

When I need a work knife I grab my Native but I tend to EDC my Delica4 FFG or Sage1.
 
If you can swing the extra cost of the recently released Native 5, I'd recommend it, it's an outstanding knife.

A bit heavier than the FRN version but worth the trade off I think.
 
The Native 5 is a bit out of my price range, but I will definitely buy the Native. I am actually afraid that you guys will hunt me down if I don't now. I hope I like as much as you guys do.
 
I'm on the other side of the fence. I love Spyderco and want to love the Native, but find that it just doesn't do it for me for some reason and my Native rarely gets pocket time. The ergonomics are just a bit off for my hand...I'm holding it right now and can't quite figure out what it is that isn't working for me, but something isn't jiving between it and my hand. It is a well loved knife by many however, whose hands it fits better than mine (sounds like you are one of them). The S30V steel is a really good mid-level steel and a certain step up from AUS-8. It feels to me like it takes a bit of a toothy edge, which I like in my knives. While I haven't carried my Native enough to comment on the exact clip that is currently attached to it, my older Delica has the same style of clip and has held up extremely well. You do have to check the barrel screw from time to time, as it starts to loosen up a little and I've had to slightly bend the clip back in a couple of time as it slowly bends away after years of carry. Mine was carried every day for 7 years and I never have had to replace the clip, so it's very robust. Lastly, I'm not a huge fan of the hole placement on the Native, as the scale partially obscures it, making it slightly harder to flick open, but it's no deal breaker in my opinion. Let us know what you think after you've had some time to play with it and put it to work. Enjoy!
 
Regardless of model, barrel bolt clips mounted in FRN handles can swivel and damage the handle if not kept tight. Beyond that, they're not significantly more prone to bending or breaking than any other style clip. Native is very easy to open one handed and the blade cuts as well as could be expected for a relatively low hollow saber grind. Great on thin material, less so on thick.
 
Well, worst case scenario, and I don't like it, Amazon has a good return policy. If the clip/scale breaks, I think warranty covers it from Spyderco. But with so many people backing it so heavily, I would think that unless I get a defect, my knife should be fine.
 
I really cannot add much to what was said above about Native. It is great knife. Get it.
Cold Kill said:
The Native 5 is a bit out of my price range, but I will definitely buy the Native. I am actually afraid that you guys will hunt me down if I don't now. I hope I like as much as you guys do.
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After using Native for a little while you will start saving money for Native5. It is almost perfect.
 
I don't know if costing nearly twice as much would be worth the better steel (I wouldn't notice the difference, AUS-8 is good for me ATM), and slightly better feel. I can barely see paying $50 for a knife, but I REALLY want a lower-end "super steel" knife (I know S30V is not really that any more, but for my perspective it is).
 
Cold Kill said:
I can barely see paying $50 for a knife, but I REALLY want a lower-end "super steel" knife (I know S30V is not really that any more, but for my perspective it is).
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Just six years ago I couldn't imagine paying more than $20 for a knife :), few month later under influence of this forum I broke $100 barrier and bought Kopa Cocobolo :), BM Ares with black/purple G10 handle and black blade, and than more Kopas.
Ran away if you want to avoid this, if you can.........
 
S30V will hold an edge MUCH longer than AUS8.

But, if you're expecting it to hold a razor edge much longer than AUS8, then you will likely be disappointed. S30 loses its initial razor edge quite quickly, and what you are left with is the toothy working edge.
 
So wait, S30V doesn't hold a razor edge well? Damn, that is one of the few things I want in a steel. Does it at least strop back to razor easily if the edge has just been worn below razor? I strop my knives after every day that I use them (at the end of the day).
 
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Hate to make it sound like I am ignoring what you guys said, or going against what you guys said, but I think I am going to buy the UK Penknife (right now). I will be getting a job here soon, so I will be able to get the Native about a week later (or 2 weeks, depending on how the pay structure is). I will be buying the Native, and likely a Delica too (I will be going on a bit of a Spyderco bender when I get cash). Although I would still like an answer to my previous post, be assured that I will be buying the Native.
 
Cold Kill said:
So wait, S30V doesn't hold a razor edge well? Damn, that is one of the few things I want in a steel. Does it at least strop back to razor easily if the edge has just been worn below razor? I strop my knives after every day that I use them (at the end of the day).
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That is the nature of S30v and how it favors a long lasting "working" edge and this will generally be true for most PM steels. If you want something that keeps a razor edge, look to carbon steel blades. They take a great edge and get there quickly. I'm really enjoying the Hitachi Super Blue blade on the caly3.5 right now. A few minutes on a leather belt leaves a scary edge.
 
dsmegst said:
That is the nature of S30v and how it favors a long lasting "working" edge and this will generally be true for most PM steels. If you want something that keeps a razor edge, look to carbon steel blades. They take a great edge and get there quickly. I'm really enjoying the Hitachi Super Blue blade on the caly3.5 right now. A few minutes on a leather belt leaves a scary edge.
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Can't look at that, because my spending ceiling is a firm $55. I went over my previously set $30, and I am kicking myself for that, because my options went from pretty large to holy hell large.
 
Cold Kill said:
How well does the steel hold a razor-sharp edge compared to a steel like AUS-8?
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Generally speaking, every steel Spyderco uses fairs better than AUS-8 (save the knives they make out of AUS-8, and possibly 8CR13MOV - which is about like AUS-8 with good heat-treatment).

How well does the pocket clip fare, in terms of flexibility and durability?
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Pretty good considering Spyderco invented the Clipit :) (the Native4 uses one of Spyderco's stouter clips).

How easy is the knife to open 1 handed?
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Dude, its a Spyderco - what kind of question is that :)

Does the blade generally cut well, geometry and steel?
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See Previous answer
 
The Native is a good knife. Compact, simple and lightweight.
The opening hole is not that exposed, like there is at the Delica for instance, but the knife is still easy to operate one handed.
 
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