Spydie Native merits

A friend of mine has one, and I keep it sharp and slick for him, so I can offer comments based on my experiences.

The Native is the only knife in its size to have CPM-440V steel, which holds a good edge for a great long time.

It's ambidextrous thanks to the lockback and reversible clip.

The blade shape is very useful.

If you're looking for a 3" folding knife like this, you can't go wrong with the Native or Calypso Jr. Ltwt. Personally, I'd go for the latter just because I like VG-10 steel even more than the exceptional CPM-440V and I like the blade shape. But you simply cannot go wrong with the Native.
 
Let me second everything that was just said...except the part about preferring VG-10. :)

I have two Natives, both in 440V, and I don't think you can get a better knife in that size range. The blade shape is great, the steel is outstanding, and the grip is secure and comfortable in my hand.

--Bob Q
 
I had a native for a long time, but it was one of the old blade steels. (Gin-1, I believe.)

The blade shape is very useful. The handle has great ergonomics. Its a small knife, and the lightweight version is very easy to carry. The lockback functions well.

Someday I'm going to get another one. I do, however, have some lingering doubts in two areas.

First, the hole placement. I had trouble getting the blade open, and many times had to try a couple times. In this regard, I prefer the delica, as it's much easier to open.

Second, the clip. I think it's about the same as all of the zytel spyderco clips, but it still bothers me. I was trying on a fleece coat liner to go under my shell last winter, and somehow the clip caught the coat as I took it off, and the knife went missing @ REI. Never saw it again. I hope someone out there is using it, and carrying it alot.

This wasn't the first time it came out of my pocket. The other times I was lucky, and found it before it disappeared. Perhaps it has something to do with the shape of the knife? Or maybe it's just me.

I like the native a lot, but honestly, I like the Delica, Endura, and the Calypso Jr. better. Try them all, if you get the chance. Even better, buy them all. :) They're a good value for the money, very useful, and reliable. You can't go wrong with any of them.
-- Rob
 
I agree with others on the merits of the Native. My experience with the Native is solely based upon the G10 versions (BF Blue Native, Limited Edition Shell Inlay). I'm sure that the FRN versions are great but the G10 versions really feel great in the hand. If you decide on getting a Native please consider springing for the G10 version (available from the Spyderco Factory Outlet web site the last time I checked).

I also agree with others that the Delica and Calypso LtWt are great knifes in this size range. I would also add the Vesuvius and Standard (if still available) to the list. All the best, Alan
 
Although I don't generally like lockbacks for EDC in the city, the quillion/finger choil on the Native allows for quickest one hand closure I have ever had on a lockback. The lock release is smooth, the action on the pivot is silky and if you close too quickly, the choil and quillion protect your index finger from any damage.

In regard to the clip issue mentioned above, I am not fond of the clips on the zytel scales. I have lost a Spyderco this way as well. I have one the fairly hard to get G-10 Natives. Believe me, the G-10 Native will not release from whatever it is clipped to. There is far too much friction.

If you can get your hands on a G-10 Native, I would recommend it. They are about twice the cost of the FRN Native. I know larry @ bladeart still has them. They also pop up occassionally on the forums. Try to get one of those.
 
I have a Native FRN plain-edge. Great knife. One of my favourites. Excellent for all-round utility and every-day carry. A masterfull design.
Go look at one in a store and see for yourself. In Toronto you'll find it, at a good price, at: - Al Flaherty's, on Dufferin St.
- Europe Bound, the one on King St.
- Le Baron
- Ontario Sporting Supplies.
All these stores probably have it in combo-edge only. Plain-edge is hard, if not impossible, to find in these stores. I bought a plain-edge, but combo-edge is good too.
The other stores around here that I can think of that carry Spyderco charge list price.
 
I have a plain edge FRN GIN-1 Native (the old one). This knife is one of the few that I can both open and close with one hand. It fits my medium sized hands perfectly.
I only wish they would come up with a larger version, like 4 inch. Spear point blades are one of my favourite blade styles and with this baby, you can't go wrong.
Plain edge, of course. Serrations are for saws... :D
 
Easily one of the best folders Spyderco has ever made. I have the FRN, two Blue BF's and two shell inlay models!

Here is the list I have included in other posts. If you do a search on username "Flood", you'll find some threads with me "spreading the gospel" about the Native.

10 reasons why you should get the Native YESTERDAY:

1) Blade is 3 1/8", which is within legal-limit in most places (alright it's not 3", but difference is negligible). This assures you have the biggest you can get, but not too big.

2) Perfect balance between tactical and utility purposes. Blade is spear-point, hollow ground, which is great for thrusting and slashing techniques. Also great to cut a myriad of stuff.

3) CPM440V blade and comfortable FRN handle for an amazing price! You get the best of both worlds: premium-quality steel for unbealievably low price.

4) Handle is comfortable with at least two grip positions. Grip long by putting index finger and middle finger in extended handle choil, or short by putting index finger in natural steel choil (located just below the edge) and middle finger in handle choil. Gives you great cutting, stabbing and slashing control.

5) Thanks to the choil you can do a really quick one-handed closing of the knife by pressing the lockback button and letting the choil fall on your index finger, flipping the handle to put your thimb on the hole, then closing it the rest of the way. Not many other lockback knives have this feature.

6) It features an attractive web-pattern to eliminate slippery conditions. Great representation of the Spyderco logo in this design.

7) Spydie hole assures easy opening and closing of blade. It is bar-none the best system to open a knife, beating the thumb stud and disk IMNSHO. It is also excellent for doing the "drop opening" technique.

8) Tip-up carry great for drawing at lightning speed, plus handle does not stick out in a "threatening" position, IMHO.

9) Knife is very lightweight. Great for carrying clipped in shorts or jeans.

10) It has an easily removable and reversible clip for right or left-handed carry.


...and the most important reason, so CRUCIAL that it must be listed separately...

...It's my favorite Spydie dammit! ;)

You CANNOT go wrong with the Native!!!

-Flood
 
I too am a strong devotee of the Native FRN. I got it the same day -- used -- that I got a new Calypso Jr Ltwt. Have carried the Calypso Jr about 3 days -- in nearly 3 months -- and carried the Native all the days except those I carried the Calypso Jr.

The Native has what is for me a very ergonomic, comfortable handle. It's surface pattern on the FRN. Not so good as that of the Calypso Jr, but very good, nonetheless. It feels about twice as stout/strong in the hand as the Calypso. I guess I'd use the word robust to describe the Native, and kind of delicate to describe the Calypso Jr. Maybe that's only because I've never really put the Calypso Jr thru its paces.

The 440V steel is very nice. I've touched up my edge a couple times, with only a few strokes on a ceramic rod. Haven't done anything to change the edge of the Calypso.

The Wegner is my favorite Spydie. But, the Native runs a real close second. Both are very utilitarian, not at all specialized.
 
What else can I say? It's a great knife. I would like to see a flat ground version in VG-10.:)

Paul
 
Fantastic all-around knife, my daily carry. I can't add anything to Flood's awesome list of merits, but will repeat his #8 - it's tip up! Very fast and easy to deploy, and doesn't ride too high out of the pocket at the same time.
 
The Native is overall my favorite Spydie. I have three: GIN 1 serrated, 440V plainedge, and an all steel AUS-10 Native II. I also have three Delicas, but two are '98s and are semi-retired or put away (both pink).

The FRN Natives handle better for me than the Delica. They are the easiest of all my knives to open and close, and for that reason one is set up for left pocket use (the GIN 1), and I try to use it left handed as much as possible. Also, GIN 1 does well in chlorine water, so it is also one of my pool knives. (Rinse well in tap water and dry afterwards.)

The steel Native is slippery, but I intend to customize it (not sure how yet, but a couple of pointy parts of the handle need to go). Maybe engraving, or maybe just stairtread or skateboard tape. It is thinner than the FRN versions, but of course, heftier.

All clips are reversible. I don't have a blue Native yet, but I'll change that!

Some notes on "tactical use:"

Went and swiped at some cardboard boxes the other night with my GIN 1 Native and found that I naturally used a hammer grip left handed. This caused me to push the lock and it could cause the blade to unlock! "Boye dents" all around when I get the chance...and then I'll retest. Must fabricate some tailor made "tactical targets" as well, instead of just cardboard boxes, but anyone reading this who carries and who has never swiped at more than air or a piece of paper needs to CAREFULLY find something to test on. Preferably not around other people! :)

My old Endura did well on the cardboard, BTW. Just because the Native has a nice finger choil doesn't guarantee safety! Try it for real to uncover unexpected handling problems. No, the swipes wouldn't have collapsed the blade, but my hand pressing on the lock button was decidedly unexpected! A hard target stab might have, but I haven't done that yet.

Just some food for thought! The Native's design actually might save your fingers due to the unsharpened choil area if it did close, but it would pinch.

As an EDC, the Native gets very high marks from me, and like Thomas Ekman, I'd like a larger version! An Endura sized "Giant Native" would be the ultimate!!

Karl
 
1. In short, the newer CPM 440V FRN Natives are a steal. It is a $50 knife that feels and functions better than many knives costing twice as much.

2. As for the FRN, I have made my view be known about this many times -- There isn't anything wrong with FRN for an EDC unless "fashion" dictates that you need G-10, or Titanium. I admit, I own G-10 and Ti handled knives but think it's overkill in a small EDC folder. What are some of these people subjecting their folders to? Do they really find themselves prying open pressurized submarine hatches, or taking on hordes of renegade vampires on a daily basis? :o

Collecting productions is another matter though in which case you do want the top of the line, limited runs/editions, etc.

The molded FRN actually works well with the Native's size and ergonomics. I can't imagine slabs of G-10, or tumbled Titanium feeling that comfortable. Not to mention it looks so darn cool with its web motif handle.

FRN CPM 440V Native = A great EDC
 
The native has the best grip ergonomics I have ever encountered combined with a compact size. Blade shape is also very useful AND versatile. The design is very close to being perfect, IMO. It has been my daily carry since I purchased it, and the few times I forgot it at home, I felt sort of nervous and naked *g* So far I have not seen another design, which would come close to the native.
I have no problems with the hole, the knife is open, the moment I take it out of my pocket (right rear)
If I could make some changes, it would be the following (in order of usefulness to me):
- flat ground blade. This would increase performance for deep cuts.
- VG-10 steel. This would offer better resharpenability at only very little edgeholding-tradeoff.
-a pivot screw instead of a pin. If you use it hard, some blade play can develop. No big deal if you could tighten it a little.
-after all theese changes, the price of the knife should only be slightly higher :D :D and I'll buy more than 2 of them....

The only worries about the flat grind would be the primary bevel. It might become a little too steep. What do you think?

Seb
 
Hi Barber. Welcome to our forum. Hope you got the information you needed. I didn't feel it proper for me to offer that information being my design (unless no one else did, thanx for the help). You know, "Man who beat on own chest knocks self over backwards". Hope you got the info you needed.

Just for kicks, I might add that the Native will be going through an design upgrade next year.

sal
 
After reading the comments here, I ordered a Native. Love it!! Previously carried Delica, Military, and Gunting. Native will be my EDC now (but other three won't gather dust :) )

Wayne
 
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