Spydie Native 5 vs. Sage 4

Peroni1973

Peroni1973

Joined
Mar 25, 2010
Messages
707
Okay folks,

A request for help; I would like to by another smallish EDC with back lock. I'm really liking the Ti/Desert Ironwood combo on the Sage 4 (I've done G10, especially black G10 to death! Look I know it works, sells, etc. it is just how I feel right now...) I really like the thought of classy wood scales on the practical platform of a Spydie.

That said, I love the profile and shape of the Native 5. Possibly picking it's overall ergo, blade shape just ahead of the Sage 4.

So what I'm asking for are your thoughts/ experiences/ in hand pics of these two brilliant little knives...

Thanks in advance for any input.

Ben
 
Darn near everything in life involves trade offs. In this case, the Native 5 is a bit more compact in your pocket, but the Spyderhole is partially blocked, making the Sage 4 easier to open, IMHO. Sage 4 has the low rider clip, Native 5 gives you the option of tip down carry. Sage 4 is more elegant looking, Native 5 is considerably less expensive. Blade geometry is very similar, I'd rate them virtually equal in terms of slicing ability. Native 5 is lighter, but, as you noted, it's black peel-ply G-10.
 
Thanks Paul, your considerations are valuable (as is your comment about trade-offs!)

Leaning toward the Sage 5 right now...

Anyone else got thoughts?

Thanks again,

Ben
 
I've got a Native 4 FFG / Carbon Fiber and a Native 5 (with custom Carbon Fiber Scales).

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The Native 5 (I've switched the scales back to G10 for a bit) is probably one of the most perfect EDC knives I've ever handled. It rivals the para2 for me (which always bumps everything else out of the pocket - until it met this Native 5). That being said, the Sage 1 has better ergos than the Native (to me), but only because while I like a deep finger-choil, I still appreciate a thumb-ramp as well.

That's a tough one man. You could consider hitting up a pimper/custom-scale-maker and having your Native prettied up a bit, but if you want pretty, the Sage 5 is certainly beautiful - I don't own one, but I admire the construction/design. I will say that with less screws exposed in the handle (which seems to be a common gripe), it would be even prettier.
 
Every time I visit the local knife shop I make them pull out the Native 5. It has to be one of the nicest "in hand" feeling knives period. If they weren't so darn high at this shop it would be clipped to my pocket already. I have a couple in line ahead of it but I want it. I have grown fond of the large choils also but for "real" use in a knife this size I rarely use it.
 
Getting a Native 5 and adding some nice custom wood scales is definitely one option...

I quite like the 'humpless' element of the Native over the Sage - arghhh! Decisions?!?

Ben
 
Peroni1973 said:
Getting a Native 5 and adding some nice custom wood scales is definitely one option...

I quite like the 'humpless' element of the Native over the Sage - arghhh! Decisions?!?

Ben
Click to expand...
It does dress up nice...

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​

Huge thanks to Gull Wing for the work on this one. :thumbup: :)
 
I have a Sage 4 being delivered tomorrow. I am really glad they are making the knife - other things being equal I prefer a knife to look at least a little dressy, and LOVE the basic Sage design, so a wood/ti Sage is a no brainer for me. I have been a little disappointed with the dressy Spyderco sprint runs over the past couple of years (e.g., the jigged bone Delicas just look weird to me), and the Sage 4 looks great.

I am very intrigued by the upcoming fluted ti Native 5 - it looks like a gorgeous little knife. I would prefer it to be cheaper, but then again it's an American-made knife, and to me its design is in all relevant respects superior to the Sebenza, so I can't exactly say the pricing is unfair.
 
Wow thanks TaTaToothy,

I'm inclined to agree with you. I had to remind myself what I was looking for when I began looking at these knives. Namely, a more classy, single handed opening EDC. I reckon as a stock, standard item the Sage 4 hits that nail on the head.

Let me know what you think once you get your Sage 4 in your hands...

Thanks again!

Ben
 
My Sage 4 was delivered today. Honestly I am not totally thrilled with it and will probably be returning it. I am not really one to return knives, and this would be my first-ever Spyderco return.

My thoughts:

- The familiar Sage form factor continues to feel great.

- The knife feels HEAVY by Sage standards. I find it simply too heavy for everyday carry, though obviously this is a personal taste thing. Personally the Sage is about as large a knife as I'd want to regularly carry, and this is considerably heavier than my Sage 1 or 2.

- The ironwood looks a little ratty to me. The grain is not what I'd consider beautiful, and it has a kind of semi-shiny finish that I don't love. I think it would look better with a matte finish.

- The lockback is quite stiff, so the knife takes a fair amount of force to open and unlock. This is not a bad thing per se, but don't expect a traditional lightning-quick Spyderco deployment.

This is not a bad knife, not at all, but it doesn't seem like an especially compelling package for nearly $170. I am considering ordering a fluted ti Native but that knife, at least theoretically, weighs the same as the Sage 4, so I'm not sure I would love that either. We shall see . . .
 
Wow, sorry to hear that you're not completely happy with the Sage 4 TaTaToothy.

I appreciate you taking the time to poet your thoughts. I don't mind a bit of heft, if anything to me my UKPK feels light for the quality that I know it is. I guess it is just different strokes, etc. That said, I'll try to see one in the flesh before I pull the trigger.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts...

Ben
 
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