The Spyderco Native 5

I am am a big Spyderco fan but it took a while for the Native to click with me. My first one just sat for a while because I thought I didn’t like it. I then made myself use it and it just clicked.

There have been a few Spyderco knives that I had to make myself use before I understood them. The Stretch was another. Now they are two of my favorites.
 
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HardTripper said:
Sing it sister
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WIRE CLIP it.

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I love it. I suspect that it depends a little on hand size, it just melts into my hand. I thought the PM2 was simply the best ever, now I can hardly stop carrying the Native 5. I would prefer G10 scales, so I might have to update. But otherwise, its close to perfect. For me.
 
I just don't see the point of purchasing the FRN version over a Chaparral unless you have larger hands. You lose a fraction of an inch of usable blade but gain SO much more... Not to mention the Chaparral Lightweight is about $10 cheaper than the Native 5 Lightweight.

The Chaparral has better steel, CTS-XHP vs S30V. The Chaparral has a steel back spacer compared to the FRN back spacer on the Native 5. This give the Chaparral a MUCH better feel in my hand than the Native 5. The Chaparral has a deep carry, wire pocket clip (which is my favorite clip style from Spyderco) compared to the standard pocket clip on the Native 5 which allows it to ride much too high in the pocket in my opinion. The handle is much larger on the Native 5 without giving you really any extra blade to use. For people with big hands, I'm sure that's a positive, but not for someone with baby hands like me. I also MUCH prefer the bi-directional pattern of the FRN compared to the volcano pattern on the Native 5.

Basically, the majority of the issues I have with it only apply to the Lightweight version.

As soon as Spyderco comes out with a G10 version in a steel I want (REX 45, CRUWEAR, 52100, CTS-204P, K390, or maybe even ELMAX), I plan on picking one up to use as a hard use knife along with my M4 Para 3.

I'm really hoping the G10 version changes my mind about the native 5.
 
Fixall said:
I also MUCH prefer the bi-directional pattern of the FRN compared to the volcano pattern on the Native 5
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You have that backwards. Native has bi-directional. Chaparral has volcano.
 
I'm a fan of the Native. I ended up getting a second one, the light weight version, but I got it with the half serrated edge because it worked well at a second job I had. I don't have that job anymore so it's not of much use to me. If I had the LW with a normal blade, it would be one of my favorite summer carries. Now it's in the bag as a back up...
 
I have XL hands & usually carry a larger knife, but I still find the Native 5 to be comfortable to work with. I assume the Native was designed to be a smaller knife, but still have good ergos & a capable blade. It does that well.
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Love my native 5 alot,was in the right place etc got it slightly used trade in for 40.00.love the sabre type grind..But to op my hands are big size 14 wedding ring 2x/3x gloves hard to find gloves that fit
 
I really need to try a Native out. It's size is exactly what I like to carry. I really do like the looks of it, especially the older spear point models, and I like all the different options out there, but back locks aren't really my jam. Now if they came out with a Maxamet G10 model, I'd fold in a second.
 
Interesting question OP. There is such a variety of opinion and preference in reviews and lists it's really hard to say. Backlocks aren’t always popular since they aren’t so flickable, but I’ve come to prefer them. They’re strong and they don’t interfere with the forward part of the grip like cutouts for other lock interfaces do.

I've always liked the lines on the Native series, but I always seemed to bump other buys ahead of it on my never ending want list. The BHQ M4 version was too good to pass up. It has been just about my full-time carry since I bought it. It strikes me as a miniature tank, a little big knife. It has wonderful distal taper and is a very good cutter. I really like the tidy package it makes when folded.

I recently picked up the fluted carbon fiber version also (I blame the deal spotting enablers for this!), which is now the M4's main competition. For folders I tend to rotate between a Stretch Hap40, Delica Wharnie Hap40, Military 204P and these Natives. The Natives have moved to the head of the pack.

The Native's ergo's are fantastic to me. It's interesting to read they don't work for some. I find the Native handle to be much more generic with the handle curves than the finger bumps on a Delica/Endura type handle.

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Interesting question about the Natives. I really like the Native 5. It fits my hand quite well. I like back locks as the speed of opening a knife is not a big issue for me and I trust the back lock to be very strong. You compare the Spydie back lock on the Native to less expensive knives that I have looked at and the function of the Native are overwhelmingly positive for me. All this said, I have been carrying the Steel Will Mini Cutjack in M390 (plus a SAK) over just about any knife for the last 10 months. I have been giving the Boker Urban Trapper a go however for the last couple of weeks, but I suspect I like the Mini Cutjack better.

The biggest negative for me with regards to the Native is the price I think it's too expensive for what you get. But it is a quality knife!
 
The Native 5 with G10 handles and S110V blade is my go-to utility knife. It's probably the toughest smaller knife I own. The half-half finger choil and lack of hump on the blade spine allow me to get a comfortable grip and good control of the blade. Not the best slicer though with the thick blade and the ergonomics are suited for really just one grip (using the finger choil with thumb on back of the blade). The 4-way options for the clip position are nice, but the holes drilled for tip-down carry tend to trap gunk and feed it into the pivot area right onto the washers.

I think what keeps the Native 5 from being at the top of everyone's list as far as Spyderco knives is that it doesn't necessarily excel at anything.
 
I just re-purchased the Native 5 in M4. What I didn't like about it originally is the ergos, you pretty much have to use the choil to comfortably use it, and there are times where I just don't need to/want to. It is a little chunky, and I don't like backlocks, I have a Delica that is thinner and slicier so why have the Native. Ultimately though it's a compact work knife, and I have a need for something like that, so the M4 version was a no brainer. I've been carrying mine lately but felt bad for my previous regular carries so it's sat out this week but I'll probably take it to work tomorrow.
 
Love my Mini Griptilian but I've about got myself persuaded I need a Native 5. Think I'll go for the G10 version so I can do custom grips. Have seen some nice anodized titanium deep carry clips on Ebay.
 
I just received my first Para 3. Since I’ve been carrying the Native a lot, I noticed right away the Para 3 felt a little more cramped in the grip. I was surprised that the smaller Native actually gives you slightly more room in both the grip and the choil.

Just thought I’d throw that out there for anyone considering the 2 with all the ergo comments. The Para 3 seems to be a raging success.

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Rose and Thistle Custom said:
Love my Mini Griptilian but I've about got myself persuaded I need a Native 5. Think I'll go for the G10 version so I can do custom grips. Have seen some nice anodized titanium deep carry clips on Ebay.
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Just be aware that the newer Natives are liner less, makes customizing them a bit more complicated. The S110V is staying linered I think though.


mb> said:
I just received my first Para 3. Since I’ve been carrying the Native a lot, I noticed right away the Para 3 felt a little more cramped in the grip. I was surprised that the smaller Native actually gives you slightly more room in both the grip and the choil.

Just thought I’d throw that out there for anyone considering the 2 with all the ergo comments. The Para 3 seems to be a raging success.

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Whoa that's a great comparison! Never held one but the Para 3 always looks super ergonomical, at times I wonder if I should've gotten the M4 Para 3 instead of the Native. But that picture shows it all. Thanks!
 
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