Spyderco Native versus BM Pika

M

mdarby

Joined
Apr 10, 2005
Messages
87
Hello:

The first knife I bought was a Benchmade Griptillian. I loved the AXIS lock and remember posting why people bought other types of lock mechanisms.

Since then, however, I've bought no BM's but did purchase a Spyderco Native and Waved Endura, a Kershaw Scallion, Leek and ET, the Boker Subcom as well as some fixed blades. I guess there are many reasons to buy knives!

I was thinking of getting another Native but then read good things about the Pika. It would be interesting to try another Benchmade. Is the Pika at $24 via Internet a good buy relative to Native $40 at Walmart?

Thanks,
Michael
 
The native is one of the best buys out there. Outstanding ergonomics, great steel, and a steal at $40. I vote the native.
 
normally i would say go benchmade..

but the native is a great knife,,and much nicer in my opinion..

the native compares more with the mini grip than the pika..

the pika compares with the byrd line
 
I really like my mini-pika, it was $25 locally. I also really like my Native (probably a little more, but it is not a fair comparison because of the price difference). Either one you will most likely love. By the way, how do you like your Subcom? I have been wanting to get one with Aus-8.
 
I don't think you can go wrong either way. If you already have a Native though....

If decide to go with another Native, check out the Native III. You can find them on-line for @ $45- well worth the difference to me. (I have the Wal-mart and the III).

If you're able step up a bit, you can find BM Mini-grips for less than $60 on-line. You already know you like the Axis lock and mine is now my favorite smaller EDC.

Isn't knife buying fun!
 
You may also want to consider something from the Byrd line. There are various shapes, sizes, and scale materials to choose from, and all of them are a terrific value.
 
I own and use both the Native (the Native III is the one I like best) and the Benchmade Pika (and Mini-Pika). They are both terrific buys, but the Native is a bit better (IMHO, of course) for an overall EDC, I find the ergonomics better, as well as the blade steel.

The Pika has a lot of things going for it, good price, decent blade steel and a very good deep carry clip (I carry my Mini-Pika in my shirt pocket and people think it's a pen). But if I could only have one of the two, it would be the Native.

I your case, however, since you already own a Native I think you should give the Pika or Mini-Pika a chance.
 
Here is my experience with the Pika, I may have got a dud but it was horrible. The steel was almost impossible to sharpen w/o a diamond rod/stone. It came very sharp and stayed sharp for a long time, but when it came time to sharpen er up, man it sucked.
 
Either way you choose you can't go wrong. But my pick would be the Spyderco.
 
Native all the way. For many reasons but not just the side by side comparison of the knives but the companies and their owners as well.

STR
 
I have a $40 Wal-Mart native that I EDC, I would recommend it highly. Very ergonomic, holds its edge for a good while and can get scary sharp very easily. Mine gets a lot of abuse, I recently shot the handle a few times with an air rifle and all I did was make some silver spots. That being said, the curve on the blade can cause it to slip occasionally, as compared to a blade with a less pronounced curve, but nothing that I would worry about. It also works very well with a ghetto wave.

That being said, I have not handled a Pica so I cannot compare the two, but I can recommend a Native very highly.

Also, Fred Perrin is a big fan, if that matters to you. Link to review.

http://www.geocities.com/hollywood/set/2292/nativerev.htm
 
mdarby said:
Hello:

The first knife I bought was a Benchmade Griptillian. I loved the AXIS lock and remember posting why people bought other types of lock mechanisms.

Since then, however, I've bought no BM's but did purchase a Spyderco Native and Waved Endura, a Kershaw Scallion, Leek and ET, the Boker Subcom as well as some fixed blades. I guess there are many reasons to buy knives!

I was thinking of getting another Native but then read good things about the Pika. It would be interesting to try another Benchmade. Is the Pika at $24 via Internet a good buy relative to Native $40 at Walmart?

Thanks,
Michael
Click to expand...



May be it is time to save more cash and move a level up and get Caly3 or Persian or Mini-Manix/Manix, or Military/Paramilitary.
Just a thought.
 
BJE said:
I really like my mini-pika, it was $25 locally. I also really like my Native (probably a little more, but it is not a fair comparison because of the price difference). Either one you will most likely love. By the way, how do you like your Subcom? I have been wanting to get one with Aus-8.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the thoughtful comments.

I hadn't thought about the Native III, I'll have to do some research on the differences between the NIII and the Walmart version. I'll also think about the mini-Grip, I love the bigger version but it sits in my glovebox as my emergency knife. It would be nice to have a version to EDC.

By the way, I love the Subcom. I have not done much cutting with it, but for going to work in my suit pocket, it's really comfortable and would be fairly people-friendly if seen in use. It looks like a money clip. But I love the design and the handling, I'd highly recommend.
 
timjmayer said:
the native compares more with the mini grip than the pika..

the pika compares with the byrd line
Click to expand...
Regarding price, this might be a valid statement.
With respect to construction, materials, fit & finish, and overall quality, however, this statement is off-base.
The Pika is entirely comparable to the Native: molded FRN handles with no liners, decent blade steel, pocket clip, non-adjustable pivot.
Having owned & used both, and having given both away, I feel confident in my assessment.
I think the Pika is an incredible bang for your buck. The handle's texture pattern isn't quite as stylish as the Native, but the Pika is basically a Spyderized version of the AFCK.

People generally choose the Native for a couple of (egotistical) reasons:
• It's been in the Spyderco line-up for a long time
• That type of knife (linerless FRN handles with a pinned pivot) is par for the course in the Spyderco line
• The Pika is in the Benchmade Red class, which is supposedly the "economy" class
• They haven't used the Pika
• The Pika is made in Taiwan, and therefore there's a bias against it

Basically, when you take away the hype and the 'opinions,' the two knives are direct competitors. Same construction, blade steels that are directly comparable, only one is about half the cost of the other.
Hm.....
 
puukkoman said:
The Pika is entirely comparable to the Native: molded FRN handles with no liners, decent blade steel, pocket clip, non-adjustable pivot.
Click to expand...

My Mini-Pika has an adjustable (Torx, not riveted) pivot. :confused:

I do agree it is a great and often overlooked/under-appreciated knife. :thumbup:
 
bh49 said:
It is true, as "440C as good as S30V"
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I'm sorry, I did not understand what you were trying to say. Try that again.

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For my own part, I've never tried S30V. But, I've had good luck with 440C. Got a Native III in VG10 and it's good steel and a nice design. But, since you say you already have a Native, the Pika looks pretty sweet.
 
knarfeng said:
I'm sorry, I did not understand what you were trying to say. Try that again.

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For my own part, I've never tried S30V. But, I've had good luck with 440C. Got a Native III in VG10 and it's good steel and a nice design. But, since you say you already have a Native, the Pika looks pretty sweet.
Click to expand...

Sorry, it is my accent. Probably I should say: "It is true, like "440C as good as S30V"
I mean, that IMO S30V is couple levels up to compare to 440C. Please, do not get me wrong, 440C is decent steel, but S30V will hold edge much longer, considering that both steel heat treated properly.
I used to have BM551 with 440C, I could get it sharp but not for long.
 
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