what do you guys think of the Navaja?

navaja10.jpg


IMHO the beautiful Navaja will be soon a Spyderco classic with a lot of fans.
It's a design fueled by Sevilian blood: the ergo, the balance, the efficiency, the reach, the grind, the materials and the attention to details...
There is no gimmick in it. It's even considered as part of the ethnical collection when it could have been a MBC tool.
The C147 is really impressive and it caraca sound is really addictive ! :-D
You don't posses a Navaja: the Navaja posses you !
 
Received mine today, must have been one of the last ones Jeff had as he's now only taking backorders. First impression was WOW!

Love the overall look. The blade shape is very interesting and eye catching. As far as cutting goes I think it will do well at least based on the way it sliced open my croissant at lunch. Love the carbon fiber scales and SS bolsters. The ergonomics are very good. It fits my hand well in every position. The blade is perfectly centered and has a nice uniform edge that is the usual degree of out of the box sharpness that I've come to expect from Spyderco.

Cons so far are pretty much limited to the thiness of the liner lock. It functions fine and I'm sure will hold up to what ever demands I put on it but it is rather thin, IMO. As far as the racheting noise goes I don't consider it a pro or con, it just is. Doesn't bother me or excite me. As far as the action of the knife goes it opens smoothly and locks positively at around 50%.

Overall I'm quite pleased with my new, fairly unique addition to my Spyderco collection.
 
Badhammer said:
Received mine today, must have been one of the last ones Jeff had as he's now only taking backorders. First impression was WOW!

Love the overall look. The blade shape is very interesting and eye catching. As far as cutting goes I think it will do well at least based on the way it sliced open my croissant at lunch. Love the carbon fiber scales and SS bolsters. The ergonomics are very good. It fits my hand well in every position. The blade is perfectly centered and has a nice uniform edge that is the usual degree of out of the box sharpness that I've come to expect from Spyderco.

Cons so far are pretty much limited to the thiness of the liner lock. It functions fine and I'm sure will hold up to what ever demands I put on it but it is rather thin, IMO. As far as the racheting noise goes I don't consider it a pro or con, it just is. Doesn't bother me or excite me. As far as the action of the knife goes it opens smoothly and locks positively at around 50%.

Overall I'm quite pleased with my new, fairly unique addition to my Spyderco collection.
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Is it any thinner than the liner lock on the Sage 1?
 
xtal said:
Is it any thinner than the liner lock on the Sage 1?
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Can't say from experience as I don't have a Sage. I'll look at my other Spyderco Walker liners and see what it's close to when I get home this evening.
 
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I don't have a Sage 1 but it's thicker than the lock of an old reliable AFCK... (mine is 16 years old)
I even think it's thicker than my Starmate lock. I will do pictures tomorrow.
 
In 16 years of using linerlocks from precise manufacturers, I never had one failed. So the lock on the Navaja is really not an issue. Also the large choil is giving another security. My Starmate (thin liner and thick blade) for example is a vault.

NAVAJA18.jpg

Benchmade AFCK M2HS (considered in 1998 by James Loriega as a modern Navaja), the Spyderco Navaja and the Spyderco Starmate.
All liner locks all 100% reliable.

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Three Amigos !
 
For me, Navaja is the knife of the year 2011. I didn't enjoy new knife that much for a few years.
 
I have recently received my Navaja and the more I carry it and the more I handle it, the more I like it. I took a chance by not having a chance to handle the knife in person. I have found the grip on the knife that I might use the most. Thumb on the top of the blade with the jimping like a saber grip and then my last three fingers on the CF and then my other finger on the bolster just behind the blade choil. At first I was thinking I could have bought a Para 2 for less money but then I really looked at the knife and handled it and I am happy and pleased with my purchase. I do how ever want a Para 2 in the M4 if they are making it.
 
I'd buy one if it had a solid Ti slab for the lock.
 
xtal said:
Is it any thinner than the liner lock on the Sage 1?
Click to expand...

I don't have any measuring tools, but in holding my Sage I up right next to the Navaja, I'd have to say they are almost exactly the same, with maybe a slightest bit of added thickness in the Navaja. It's kind of hard to tell, as the liners in the Sage had the edges slightly rounded while the Navaja keeps them sharp, so it may just be an optical illusion that the Navaja is slightly thicker. I think for all intents and purposes, you can just assume they are the same thickness.
 
I love my Navaja! I think it is stunning. Of my 42 Spydies, it may be my #1 favorite.
 
Anyone knows if Gayle Bradley's lock is easier to disengage than navaja? Does the liner lock have more area to depress?
 
Frozy said:
Anyone knows if Gayle Bradley's lock is easier to disengage than navaja? Does the liner lock have more area to depress?
Click to expand...

I've got both, and I'd call it a dead heat. They are virtually identical to me. But, maybe I'd say the GB is a bit stiffer. They are both equal in terms of accessibility, IMO.
 
This is a great looking knife. I am glad Spyderco decided to make a modern version of the classic Spanish Navaja, even with the classic sound but a modern lock.

Great in functionality, but still can't beat the original ones in terms of artistry (exotic woods, craved brass, horn, stag).
 
My vote is for badass. The only thing that is keeping me from buying one is the fact its s30 . I just have too many blaades in this steel and I'm not a huge fan of it
 
I have a Para 2 CF s90 and a military.
Not a fan of S-30, but the Navajah is next.

Some times a blade is about more than just function.
Even for a Spyderco guy! :D
 
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