Why so few tool steel Natives?

[blades&wrenches]

I was just thinking, there have been quite a few runs of Golden models with tool steels, but mostly on larger platforms (PM2, Manix 2, Military). Personally I would love a Native 5 with M4 or Cruwear especially. Anything in the works @Sal Glesser?

 

[kniferelatedname]

There's a Maxamet Native 5 LW.

 

[blades&wrenches]

There's a Maxamet Native 5 LW.

True, forgot about that one.

 

[kniferelatedname]

I wonder if different steels aren't as big sellers on the N5 than on knives like the PM2 and Manix2, and that's why there aren't as many variations. Or maybe tighter lock tolerances are harder to keep when changing the steel/heat treat/etc? I imagine the compression lock, and especially the ball bearing lock, have looser tolerance requirements to still lock up tight.

I'm glad it gets handle-love though, as the fluted Ti and fluted CF Natives are gorgeous.

 

[RC15]

Possibly due to having to machine the blades? Those tool steels can be difficult to work with. Potentially cost as well for the higher end tool steels. Just guesses though, I agree that it would be cool to see even more variety of blade steels. Personally I would like to see Cowery X and Vanax used on a Native 5 sprint. Vanax I think would be more doable though, I image getting Cowery X in any kind of quantity would be insanely expensive. But if they made it, I would buy it!

 

[Captain Howdy]

Maxamet is the only tool steel on a native I know of. Sal has said over on the other forum that he too would like a cruwear native, so maybe we’ll see one of those eventually. I would be onboard for a m4 LW native possibly offered by a retailer known for m4 sprints.

 

[blades&wrenches]

Maxamet is the only tool steel on a native I know of. Sal has said over on the other forum that he too would like a cruwear native, so maybe we’ll see one of those eventually. I would be onboard for a m4 LW native possibly offered by a retailer known for m4 sprints.

I hope so! A laminated CPM154/Cruwear blade on a Native would be the ultimate for me!

 

[twinboysdad]

Sal has said on his forums he has intentions to make a Cruwear N5LW

 

[danthaman1980]

I'd be in for a cruwear or M4 native for sure!

 

[steelcitysixteen]

Yeah, Ive been saying this for a long time. I need a Native in Cruwear, 52100, M4, 4V and 3V!

 

[Captain Howdy]

Not a tool steel but I’d also like to see a N5LW in xhp. A certain retailer did a run of them in the original native line. Love to see them bring it back in the native 5.

 

[BD_01]

Not a tool steel but I’d also like to see a N5LW in xhp. A certain retailer did a run of them in the original native line. Love to see them bring it back in the native 5.
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I’m a big fan of XHP, though not for any good objective reason. I just really like the knives I have in that steel. I also like Spyderco brown (some people don’t).

Also not a tool steel (or is it?), but the LC200N N5LW is going to be a big tempter for me. It checks a lot of boxes.