Spyderco Native - SS or FRN?

philthygeezer

philthygeezer

Joined
Aug 6, 2002
Messages
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Say you were buying a Native:

Now that you can get PE on both, which would you choose and why?

In this case, I found that the choils in the grip seemed to make the 'slippery' stainless steel handle a non-issue, but there may be other reasons for choosing FRN...



Edited because I always seem to have to add or fix something 2 minutes after I post.
 
I have an older PE FRN (The GIN-1 steel) and a AUS10 Combo Edge Stainless Steel. Both are solid knives, but the SS has a much more solid heft to it.

I don't like the GIN-1, the tip bent under very slight pressure, but that may be fixed in the newer models.

The SS shows pocket wear quickly, with lots of little scratches. It's in my pocket as we speak, though, a great knife to use.

Al Folsom
 
I can't say that you should choose one over the other. I have the FRN PE Native (my first Spydi and still my favorite) and I want a PE SS Native. They are both excellent knives and you can't go wrong with either. Which feels better to you?

-SB
 
Unless the slight added weight might be a problem for you, I'd go with the stainless model as it has alot more solid feel to it, and doesn't have the flex that the FRN one does with hard use.
 
Originally posted by glockman99
Unless the slight added weight might be a problem for you, I'd go with the stainless model as it has alot more solid feel to it, and doesn't have the flex that the FRN one does with hard use.
Click to expand...

Playing the devil's advocate, I don't think most cutting jobs would require you to inflict so much punishment to make the FRN on the Native Lightweight flex; unless you're using it as a prybar. If it does, then it's probably advisable that you use something other than a small folder.

The FRN on the Native is not G-10 but it's still pretty rigid stuff.

I'm hypothesizing that the GIN-1 (similar to ATS-34) on the stainless would be easier to sharpen than the FRN's CPM440V.

BTW, the blade on the GIN-1 looks a bit different than the CPM440V. Is the GIN-1 made in Seki?

THE GOOD:

My Native FRN works perfectly. It's my favorite EDC and helped me ween off carrying 3.5 inch (on up) blades. I actually prefer the FRN and think it works to the knife's advantage. It keeps it light, the moldability of FRN (Zytel) makes the handle comfortable, and the web motif grip makes the knife look cool.

THE BAD:

This said, there is possibly a bad batch of FRN's as (I think) Calyth had problems with the spring on the lockback on his Native FRN. Spyderco has repaired it however.

On my FRN, the only thing I don't like is the clip which seems to lose it's "memory" and leaves a gap after some time but this is nitpicking.

THE UGLY:

Just make sure you don't get the 1st generation ones marked BRK. Apparently they suck!
 
I have been looking around for stocking stuffer gifts and I just ordered 4 of the "BRK" ones from Smokey Mountain.:footinmou

"Just make sure you don't get the 1st generation ones marked BRK. Apparently they suck!"

What exactly am I getting into here?
Could you guys please define "suck" and is the vaccuum worth $25 each?:confused:

Thanks
 
I can't believe how many of those BRK knives are still floating around at retailers.

Weren't these produced awhile back?

How bad could they possibly be? Fit and finish might be a little sub-Spyderco, but wouldn't they make good beat-around knives just the same?
 
Originally posted by SamuraiDave
I have been looking around for stocking stuffer gifts and I just ordered 4 of the "BRK" ones from Smokey Mountain.:footinmou

"Just make sure you don't get the 1st generation ones marked BRK. Apparently they suck!"

What exactly am I getting into here?
Could you guys please define "suck" and is the vaccuum worth $25 each?:confused:

Thanks
Click to expand...

Sorry Dave. Didn't mean to startle you. "Suck" is a relative term. Let's just say they are not up to par with the current Natives.

The BRK Natives were subcontracted to Blue Ridge Knives. Look through the threads from the past 30 or so days and you'll see a thread where Sal Glesser explains the entire situation.
 
I just became interested in Spydercos again after having an Endura years ago...saw an ad in Smoky Mtn.'s catalog and ordered one ea. of the BRK "1st Generation" Natives...and was shocked how bad they were. One's lock protrudes above the handle when the blade is open and the other's locking notch is marred. Then, I ordered a 440V Native from another internet site and the difference was astounding. Perfect fit and finish, and the feel of opening and locking was 250% better...makes me wonder if they came from the same Company! What gives?
 
The native is about the only spydie that I like better in SS.I have FRN,SS and G10.G10 is the best.
 
Just picked up my Native SS PE.

It is truly a little gem. The lock snicks shut like a precision-made tool should. The handle is slim in the pocket, yet comfortable and secure in the hand, allowing many different grip positions. The scales have no real abrasive surfaces to wear pocket edges. I think it is dressy enough to go places where the Lum Chinese would go. Matches my Wittnauer SS watch very well.

I like this one as much as my Wegner. Thanks to Sal for making another excellent tool. I hope Spyderco never stops making this one.
 
You lucky guy!

I'm only familiar with the FRN Native. Do you find the stainless steel version to have a heavier spring and a firmer action than the FRN version? Or is it the same?
 
Personally I love the ergo on the Native so much I wouldn't care whether it's FRN or SS.
I actually enjoyed the CPM440V steel on it. It's hard to fix up but that also makes me to use my head before I cut anything that might dent the edge.
It wasn't only just me who have Natives that have a strange lock. I theorize (not based on fact mind you) that they may be a bad batch that went through QC. On BOK's thread Native Lock Snap, you'll see that a handful of people got these, and it seems that SS version don't have this problem.
Unfortunately, I've lost one of my all time favourites. I think I'll get the Texas Connection to get me a SS Native just to try out SS spydies and the rarely used steel
 
Hey Geezer. The plain edge SS version of the Native will be disco'd soon, so if that's what you want, better get to lookin' as we didn't make that many and they weren't very popular.

The new USA FRN Native's are going to CPM-S30V and the Native III (made in Seki City) will be VG-10 (about March or April).

Change is constant, One cannot step in the same river twice.

sal
 
Originally posted by Sal Glesser
...The plain edge SS version of the Native will be disco'd soon, so if that's what you want, better get to lookin' as we didn't make that many and they weren't very popular...

sal
Click to expand...
Dang...There goes ANOTHER one of MY favorite Spydies.:eek:.:(.:eek:.
 
[WHINE]

How come I always wind up being so counter-culture? This and the Wegner are my favourite folders, and I have a Chinook on the way...

I guess the rest of the world is too ignorant to know which models are really and truly GREAT. :D

[/WHINE]

Sal, thank you very much for the heads-up. I am going to get another one before they are all gone. One to keep and one to use.

Is it the weight that drives customers away from this beautiful piece? Maybe blue almite is the answer. I'd definitely settle for a blue G-10 in CPM-S30V.

Q's for Sal: The Native III won't come in SS PE VG-10? Also, is the Native III the 3D-model I have heard things about? ;)

Is the Moran popular enough? How about the nifty/classy flat-ground SS PE Dragonfly II? In liking them, have I sealed their fates as well? :eek:

My VG-10 Moran drop point is the sharpest knife I have ever owned, right out of the box. It scares me and makes me smile at the same time. It is also extremely ergonomic. I have a CS SRK and a Buck Vanguard, but the Moran became my favourite 5 minutes out of the box. Please don't discontinue that one!

The nice thing about Spyderco is that there is always something wonderful on the brew. I am enthralled with great design and quality manufacture, and you guys provide it in spades.
 
I have only ever handle one FRN version, and the action on the SS one was firmer. This is likely not a representative comparison though.

I would go to a knife store and check a couple out. While you are at it, check out a SS Dragonfly PE. I bet you'll like it.:D
 
Blue almite!Someone start a poll on this and maybe we can get Sal to take notice.
 
I'm always looking for a reason to expand my Native collection! A gun-metal blue Almite Native in VG-10 would be a great reason! ;)
 
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