Tell me good and bad things about my new Native S-30V

L

Lavan

Joined
Nov 8, 2000
Messages
2,301
Okay folks, FRESH MEAT! All I've done so far is take it out of the box. JUST got it.
A search leads me to believe this is the best/worst choice I could make.
In my usual diligent research method, I buy it and then ask about it.

So, have at it. It seems to be a GREAT knife. Opens slick and easy. Peels fingerprints, looks neat.

But, whadda I know?

I can still return it.

Oh lordy, what have I done?
:D

It is the combo edge (that looks fully serrated to me, but has a bit of plain at the tip)
 
I have 1 I edc it is the plain edge s30v. It holds and edge well and gets incredibly sharp. It is not very comfortable in my hand though and it is a little to small for my taste. One time the blade did chip when I cut a piece of nylon rope. They are good knives for the price and I will continue to carry mine for a long time.
 
i have a plain edge one, i really like it a lot. i dont have any complaints with it.


my next spyderco is going to be the first native you described, the one with the wire clip. i liked the cpms30v native so much that im going to buy the other version in serrated edge.

the wireclip native seems to be the better one though even though i havent handled it. the blade on that one has a bigger belly and the false edge is a bit different. the handle has grooves for your fingers and hand, more so than the cpm native.
 
It was nice, but did not fit my hand as well and opening it with my arthritic thumb was MUCH harder than this one.

Just a heads up. Try one first. Or, if you have normal hands, probly no problem at all.
 
Nice buy! I have 3 S30V models, all PE. The one that I carry a lot is the one that Chase Axinn pimped for me in black/green G10. It's amazing how different the Native feels with a more rounded and rigid handle. The other two are NIB waiting for me to get them shipped to STR for rebuilds with liners and bolsters.

I have had zero issues with chipping and I have used and sharpened the black/green Native some. That one is part of my EDC rotation so it does gets it's turn at warehouse and general home chores.

Enjoy!
 
I love mine. It has been seeing its fair share of EDC time.
I too seem to buy and then ask questions. I am thinking about adding the III to my collection.
 
The bad:
I can only find one grip position that feels comfortable
The opening hole is partially obstructed
Appears less sheeple friendly than my other spydies
The Good:
Price
Price
 
I owned one for a couple days - larger than exected, didn't fit my hand, mine was partially serrated, partial not really, there isn't much of a plain edge. The serrations were too aggressive for my liking.

Sold it and ordered an Endura 50% serrated today. I like PE, but this is my boat knife and wanted something that would cut rope. 50/50 is a good compromise.
 
Seems "hand fit" is the most critical issue with the Native.

My Native III didn't fit at all and the C41 fits great.
 
Hi Lavan.
Tha Native is a great knife. There isn't much not to like there: nice shape, great steel, finger choil and reversible clip (I like the wireclip better, by the way). Unfortunately, just like some of my forespeakers said, the knife simply doesn't fit in my hand like other Spydies (say Delica or Caly). Also, the hole is not that exposed, so some people (not me) may have problems to deploy the knife.
Otherwise, as I said, great knife and at a very affordable price.
 
Lavan said:
It was nice, but did not fit my hand as well and opening it with my arthritic thumb was MUCH harder than this one.

Just a heads up. Try one first. Or, if you have normal hands, probly no problem at all.
Click to expand...

Have you asked your doctor about your thumb? Reason I ask is that I thought I had arthritis in my thumb, but it turned out to be a "trigger finger". I got a little physical therapy, and I no longer have a problem. Check out the link below. Hope it helps you with your Spyderco (and more).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trigger_thumb
 
Unfortunately I.... have.... talked to the doc.

It is arthritis. There is NO cartilage in the joint. He ADVISED surgery, but my buddy had the surgery (we're same age) and his whole arm turned black and he was one armed for 6 weeks.

(They have to put a cast on it after they remove tendon material from the forearm and cut it up and reinstall it in the thumb and..oh...yuck!)

My buddy's OTHER thumb has reached that point and he will NOT have the surgery again.

Easier to die....:D

But..during warm weather it doesn't hurt and during cold weather, well ...you look forward to warm weather.

So....unfortunately, this is not going to go away so I have to find knives that accomodate the disability.

The C41 Native's squarer cross section makes it easier for me to open than the more oval Native III which I could not use.

And without the clip, it is thinner than my Delica WITH the clip and I have to leave the clip ON the Delica as it is the only thing I can grip while opening.

so....that's the story.
:)
 
I love mine. My only gripe the handle material, but if they changed that it would be more expensive..........
 
IMHO, the Native is one of the best knives Spyderco makes. The S30V blade is very useful for piercing and the FRN scales fill my hand quite nicely. In fact, I like them so much that I bought three. :D
 
I was going to speak well of the Native, until my experience at work today. I lost my box cutter somewhere, so I broke out my Native to slice up some cardboard appliance boxes. It zipped through the first one, then really bound up in the second. I looked at my blade and a good half inch of the edge chipped off! According to what I've read on here about sharpening S30V, it is going to take my hours of work with the medium stones on my Sharpmaker to get it ready for the fine stones.

Bring back ATS-55!! I never had this problem with it.
 
My native does'nt quite fit my hand right, and the tips are ground way to thin for my tastes. Fit and finish are right on, this just is not my favorite model Spyderco, but I can see why other's love em.
 
I love the "hand fit" of my S30V Native. Edge retention, on the other hand, has been dissappointing. But I suppose S30V tends to hold a "working" edge for damn near ever though it loses its razor sharpness quick, and that doesn't really suit me as I'd rather touch up as needed to maintain that razor edge. That said, I can't say the Native is a bad knife and I can't say I'd get rid fo mine. It definately has a use for when sharpenings may be rare or non-existant... But thats just not how I treat my knives...
 
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