Spyderco Native quality?

R

Richter

Joined
Oct 5, 2005
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132
I just got a Native from walmart for $39. It says CPMS30V on thr blade but I'm wondering if it's a lower quality version of the knife.

There seems to be some lateral movement when the blade is locked open. It doent rattle if I shake it but there is some movement when I apply just a bit of pressure. Its as though the axis rivit isn't tight enough or something.

it still seems like a good buy but I just expected a spyderco knife to feel more rigid and sturdy.

anybody have similar issue?

*UPDATE* 1/29/06

Yesterday I went into Wal-Mart for other reasons and I decided to see if they had a new stock of Natives in. I asked to see all 3 they had.

The very first one I looked at was perfect and I figured maybe was just a bad bunch from before... but sure enough the other two had unacceptable blade play.

Judging from the responses in this thread it must be hit or miss but look closely because there ARE bad ones. (I saw 5 bad ones before I got a good one between the only two stores in my town)



--I was sure glad to be able to get one though. This knife sure holds an edge when scoring sheet rock or cutting insulation all day.
 
Mine has no play in it at all. Why didn't you just ask the guy to let you see another one of the several they have in stock and pick one that didn't have play in it? That is one of the benefits of buying hands on you know? I'd return it to Wal-Mart for a trade out based on the flaw you found and get a different one if it bothers you. They are pretty good about that if you still have your reciept.

I picked up one at Wal-Mart the other day also and it is the most perfect example of a Spyderco I have ever owned. And I've had a few let me tell you.

It is the same knife you'd get from anywhere else.
 
My Native has no bladeplay and is perfectly centered. No flaws that I can see with mine, I bought mine from NGK.

Just a side note, most lockbacks have bladeplay, a small amount. Sal from Spyderco has pointed this out a few times that a small amount of bladeplay is fine for the knife and is actually desinged to have a little. Most people on these forums are a bit anal about their knives so they'd like zero play. Up to you, either way it sounds pretty easy to go back to Wal Mart and trade it out for another one.
 
STR said:
Why didn't you just ask the guy to let you see another one of the several they have in stock and pick one that didn't have play in it? That is one of the benefits of buying hands on you know?
Click to expand...

I didn't really look at it close when at the store. I'm going to go back tonight after work and check the others.

I'll post an update later.
 
I've handled a few natives and they were all fine, one of my favorite spydercos.

Still, S30V Native for 40 bucks? Is this the same one from NGK for 60? If I can buy it in real life for 40, I might get it...in an hour.
 
Same knife. About 8 bucks cheaper than dealer cost. Go figure. The power of mass purchasing in quantity I guess. I couldn't resist either. Been carrying my Native since getting it. So many things about this knife make it a great EDC. Hard to turn down for a mere $40 and some change.
 
Anyone have any issues with the clip coming unscrewed? THAT was my major complaint with the Native (SS handle.) years ago. I loved the knife, but the clip kept coming unscrewed, and I almost lost the dang thing several times. I stopped carrying it because of that.
 
I bot 2 Natives at Super Walmart in Woodburn (Oregon), their entire inventory, and they were both perfect.:thumbup:

I visited (cld ahead to make sure they had some) the Super Walmart near Wood Village (Oregon, on the mighty Columbia River) and examined both of their 2 Natives. One had blade play when opened. Not much, but, more than I could tolerate. The foot of the blade and the head of the backspring did not mate well. You could see this, the mating surfaces had rounded edges not square, with the unaided eye. The clerk and I discussed this. I figured he should not sell this one as it would probably cause a return/problem. The other was perfect, so I bot it.

Since this, Spyderco sellling Natives thru Walmart at bargain price, is an experiment I figure it is an opportunity that might not come again. I sure like a bargain.:D They are now being sold only at 1/3 of all Walmarts (see Sal Glessers comments on the Spyderco forum http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=371793&page=4&highlight=native ). The experiment may succeed or it may fail. I've only found them in Super Walmarts here in Oregon.

Now, just how well does the black pocket clip perform its, tip-up, duty? Only carrying will tell.

Best,

oregon
 
It's a wonderful little knife. I got mine a few days ago and at first felt bad for buying a knife at Wal Mart, but that quickly passed. I don't know if I'll buy another knife there, but this one was just too good to pass up.

Mine was perfect in every way... blade perfectly centered and scary sharp, no blade play and a nice satisfying click when it locks open.

I've always been a little intrigued by the Native, but turned off by the relatively small blade. Aside from the Vic Soldier and occasional stockman that gets in my EDC rotation, I've never EDC'd a blade as small as the Native. But after handling it, I knew I had to have it. With the choil adding to the handle length, this is the perect size for EDC.

My only complaint is that I wish it would ride a little lower in the pocket. With such a relatively small knife when closed, I'd rather not have half an inch or more of it exposed. Too much to get snagged on and pulled out of the pocket.

So far it's cut everything I've needed cut. But it still hasn't seen a real workout. I know it can handle it, but I'm still itchin' to put it to the test. It doesn't have any character yet... no battle scars.

It's such a wonderful little knife I can see it in my pocket for years to come.
 
TheKnifeCollector said:
Anyone have any issues with the clip coming unscrewed? THAT was my major complaint with the Native (SS handle.) years ago. I loved the knife, but the clip kept coming unscrewed, and I almost lost the dang thing several times. I stopped carrying it because of that.[/COLOR]
Click to expand...

I haven't had any problems like that. The barrel bolt seems pretty secure to me, I haven't heard of issues with it on any models, maybe you just got a bad apple :(
 
Richter said:
I just got a Native from walmart for $39. It says CPMS30V on thr blade but I'm wondering if it's a lower quality version of the knife.

There seems to be some lateral movement when the blade is locked open. It doent rattle if I shake it but there is some movement when I apply just a bit of pressure. Its as though the axis rivit isn't tight enough or something.

it still seems like a good buy but I just expected a spyderco knife to feel more rigid and sturdy.

anybody have similar issue?
Click to expand...

The Walmart here had 3 Natives in stock, and each one had poor grinds and a lot of blade play. No rattle, but a lot of horizontal movement; extremely sloppy. As you said, it seems like the pivot is loose. I guess they are all like this. If I had found one without any play, I would have instantly bought it; nice design.
 
Pocket clip bolt unscrewing? Try some loctite blue # 242.

I sit in my computer chair with my Spyderco secured between my knees so the barrel bolt is where I can access both sides of it. Apply a little of the loctite to the threads and use a well fitting flat head screw driver on both sides of the barrel bolt. One on each end and tighten it down. I've never had any come off or unscrew after doing it this way.

You can't judge the knives from one or even ten examples. A little blade play laterally is not going to really change the way the knife cuts or performs. Many lock backs have a slight hint of vertical movement also and this doesn't really affect the security of the lock. Even still I too like to find ones that are as close to perfect as possible. I've bought knives many times the price of this little Spyderco and been disappointed with them For the money this one is tough to beat as an EDC user.
 
I have since sold it or traded it off. I was worried I was going to loose it, so it sat in a drawer.
 
Darn...my walmart doesn't carry spyderco...I was going to buy every one that they had for family members for christmas.
 
I've only found them at Super Walmarts. Call ahead to be sure of availability.

Best,

oregon
 
Got the last one in the case tonight. The guy had no clue they even had them on the board and had to hunt to find the last one. Mine is perfect, shaving sharp out of the box and locks up like a vault.

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