Spyderco Native

M

Morgoth412

Joined
Oct 4, 2002
Messages
1,297
Hey everyone,
I have recently purchased the FRN Delica in VG10 steel. All I can say is wow! :eek: It was my first Spyderco and I'm really impressed. For my next knife buy I have been looking at the Spyderco Native in PE w/FRN handles. I'm wondering how does this knife compare to the Delica? Would you consider it a better knife? If so why?
Also, I would like to hear how you compare the Delica and Native to the Camillus EDC and the Benchmade Mini-Griptillian. Thanks in advance for your responses.:)
 
IMO, the Native has a little more heft to it, as compared to the Delica. The newest model Natives, that are currently in production and available now, have the new S30V steel. :eek: :cool: I've heard alot of great reviews on this steel, but haven't had a chance to try it out for myself.

The Delica is a great little Spydie, but IMO, the Native beats it when it comes to ergonomics.
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BTW, once you buy one Spydie...it's not enough. You will soon have a desire for another, and another, and....well, you get the picture.

The Spydie virus spreads with no mercy......:D ;)
 
I have a Delica and my wife has a Native. The Delica is a great knife and it served me well as an EDC for a long time. But...the Native is a step up. I think it fits the hand better and has a great feel to it. Its a little bigger and a little heavier. One of my favority Spydercos.
 
Just a word of warning: don't get the "1st Generation BRK" version. These are very substandard and would not be a true reflection of Spyderco's normal high level of quality.
 
I really like the Native's looks, but it just doesn't fit my hand very well, although most people consider it's ergonomics to be great.
 
BTW, once you buy one Spydie...it's not enough. You will soon have a desire for another, and another, and....well, you get the picture.
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I totally agree! Check out my post in the Spyderco forum. I used to own a Native and I really regret selling it, Spyderco's are very addictive.
 
Morgoth412

I have the plain-edge versions of both and I think they both have their merits as totally awesome knives.

When placing my index finger across the integral choil (the rest carved into the the top of the plastic and the bottom of the blade), the Native is ever so comfortable. Without doing that, it's not as comfortable. The S30V steel holds and edge for a long time and it's also easy to resharpen. I went nuts with another S30V knife to find this out (back when we had a giant box of cardboard in the basement). I haven't done as much cutting with my Native, but I look forward to it.

With the Delica, I haven't really done more than shave my arms, so I don't know it's performance capabilities. However, its handle's texture is grippier than the Native's and it's thinner and lighter. Can't wait to cut with this one, too.

I have and use the regular Griptillian (only slightly larger than the mini) and it's a great knife. Once you're exposed to the axis lock, it grows on you. Don't know how its lock strength compares to the lock strength of the Native and Delica, but that's probably a non-issue unless you use the spines of your folding knives to drive nails instead of a hammer. If you do routinely use the backs of folding blades as hammer-substitutes, you too may be waiting for the long-awaited Kliff Stump memoirs "Bleeding All Over the Floor".

Of the three, the Griptillian (and possibly the mini-Griptillian) is the largest and heaviest, but it also opens and closes the easiest. I've used my Griptillian more, but I've also owned it longer.

While I think that you can't go wrong buying an S30V Native Lightweight or a mini-Griptillian or Griptillian of any configuration, maybe you'll find even more coolness in your VG-10 Delica if you let the acquisition part of the Spydie Virus go into remission.
 
Hi,

I got both the Delica and Native.

Delica is a slicing machine. Cuts and slices like crazy. It is very thin, so dont chop or pry with it. It is light and perfect for EDC. I use my delica to cut paper, cardbox, etc.

Native is a little more stronger. Blade is thicker and is great for chopping/prepping food and stuff. Better ergos than Delica. I use it to cut plastics and crap like that.
 
and fly a couple of times a month.

While I miss my pocketknife, it's not worth the hassle of checking, wondering and retrieving.

Last month, my Leatherman mini was in my carry-on briefcase, and security missed it, I found it in there when I was in California. I left it with my boss so I'll have a knife when I'm out there next.
 
So from the responses I've seen it looks like you feel the Native to be a slight step up. How would the Native compare to the EDC and Mini-Griptillian though? Would you consider the Native a slightly better knife than them? Thanks for your replies!
-Kevin
 
I own all three (Delica, Native, 551 Griptillian.
My EDC is the 551 in front right pocket or the Native when I don't want one quite so big (whichis seldom). Either way thw work knife is a Gator mate and the 551 or Native is razor sharp for self defence.

I feel the Delica is more of a 'hidden in the pocket when dressed up' knife.
 
Been using the Native for EDC about three years now. Love it. Works with forward or reverse grip. Got a friend at work one of the Natives with the inlayed handle about two years ago. She loves it and still uses it as her EDC.
 
The thing I like most about my Native is that (as a right-hander) I can open it easily and quickly with my left hand. It carrys easily in my left front pocket, with my larger EDC in my right. geegee
 
I have a Mini Griptillian and a Delica. The Mini-G gets carried way more than the Delica, and although the 440c does not hold an edge quite as well, I just strope the edge every few days and it is not a problem. I really like the axis lock and the fact that the clip of the Mini is mounted by 3 screws that go into a steel liner. The post '98 style clips on the Spydercos keep working loose on me. Not a big deal, but it is annoying and almost caused me to lose a knife once.

I had a Native and it did not fit my hand at all. The only way that it was remotely comfortable was to use the intergral choil, which is something that I am not comfortable with. It got passed around among several knuts down here until finding a female knut that loves it.

The EDC is a very nice little knife, but it always felt like it had a little too much blade for the handle. I also did not like the blade having so much belly to it. For a lot of the cutting that I do at work, a flatter, straighter edge cuts better (for me).

All four are nice solid well made knives. Try to handle them all and then make up your mind based on what feels right.

Danny
 
Ive been through a bunch of different 94x knives, several spydies, a bunch of crkt's, bucks, etc etc....the mini grip remains king in my EDC rotation. I was sure that the cfd2941 I bought here while back would oust it from the throne, but it only made me realize how great the mini grip really is as an EDC knife.
 
I had the said Native FRN PE, and I currently have the Native SS PE.
It's a great knife, and you would definately love it.
As trane_fan said, don't get the 1st Generation BRK (long story).
The Native is one of the most aggressive cutters that I have had, the steel used on the stainless version (although not bad) isn't comparable to the CPM440V.
You can't go wrong with Spyderco though ;)
 
I have Natives in CPM440v and VG10 and love them both. I can't tell the difference in sharpening 'cause I maintain them regularly. I've also carried the Delica, partially serrated, and amazed co-workers cutting nylon packing straps with ease. The CPM440V Native has been an excelent utility blade and for the last week, while I've been home sick, it was in the pocket of my bathrobe. It opens smooth as glass and locks up hard. I swap out my EDC rather frequently but when most of the knives get put back in the chest the Native stays on the dresser for regular access. The Delica has a real needle point but the Native's saber grind makes for a perfectly adequate point also. I love the curve of the Native's blade, it cuts like a charm.
 
I have a Delica and a Mini-Griptilian 555 and I have handled the Native a few times and here is my conclusions:

The Delica fits my hand the very best of the three (maybe this is because I was already use to carrying the Endura and the Police--once you carry a large folder, it's hard to go back to a small one). It's not as stong as the Native or the 555.

The Native felt terribly awkward in my grip. This is the only reason that I never bought one. I think the handle design is one that people either love or hate. You'll have to get one in your hands to know.

The 555 Mini-Grip is very strong and the Axis-lock is the smoothest lock out there--and fun to play with too. But it's a little on the chunky side and it's not as comfortable as the Delica.

So if the Native is'nt comfortable in your grip, but you want a stronger knife, maybe the answer is the stainless steel Delica?
I think they are now being made with steel that is better than the AUS-6.

You might also want to check out the Kershaw Scallion if you hav'nt already.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
Test out how the Native fits your hand in person. If you like it, get the new one in S30V steel. Maybe if your Delica is plain edge, you could get the serrated edge Native, that way you'd have one of each.

But if you like the Native enough, you'll probably want the PE version--it's more versatile and you can sharpen it more easily yourself. I have the PE Native FRN, and despite owning a handful of other great knives such as the small Sebenza and the Benchmade 806D2, I find myself choosing the Native to carry almost every day.

Johnny
 
Originally posted by Quiet Storm
I really like the Native's looks, but it just doesn't fit my hand very well, although most people consider it's ergonomics to be great.
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FRN is easy to modify. The weird handle contours have their purpose though.
 
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