Why the Native 5?

Hashishiin

Hashishiin

Joined
Dec 29, 2021
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4,138
I am just curious as to people's specific reasons. Seeing a lot of Native 5 love, and it seems like a good knife, I went for a Sage 5 though, because of the comp lock. They seem to be very similar knives minus the lock. I'm waffling on it, but part of me is definitely curious.

So, you Native 5 carriers, why do you carry that knife? If you know why, why would you keep carrying it instead of a Sage 5, for example?
 
The native 5 is a very good knife
I like the salt version and the different steel options with FRN, but I prefer the g10 version
The ergonomics are excellent and the compression lock is very smooth on mine… for sure it is not a compression lock but you get the point ;)
 
The Native 5 is awesome. Just sold a Spy27 a while back but should have kept it. Light weight, and with a low rider lynch clip it was amazing. Zero blade play and smooth action made in the good ole USA.

I just prefer it for all around durability and comfort. It just doesn't beat the PM2 for me. So that's were I'm at :) for now.
 
Why the question?

The Native has been around the longest and is into its 5th generation since it was first introduced around 1997. The Sage was 1st released in 2008 and the Chapparal in 2011; neither has seen any generational changes yet.

While they superficially look the same, they have different ergos and offer different scale/lock/blade combos. Different strokes for different folks.

The Native 5 is the most diversified model in terms of the types of scale/blade materials offerred but it only comes w/a back lock. The Sage/Chapparal come in more limited blade/scale combos but are offered w/different locking mechanisms, including a compression lock if you prefer it.

After buying my 1st Native, which was a Gen 5 PE S35VN G10, I never had any interest in buying a Sage or Chapparal. I decided to expand my collection of Natives later.

Lousy photo but this is my current collection of Gen 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 Natives.


gKviOKM.jpg


I don't often carry any of my Natives but, if I do, the PE S35VN G10 Native 5 (3rd from the bottom) is the one that I will usually choose but I also have an extra "user" Gen 2 PE S/S Native (3rd from the top) and an extra "user: Gen 3 PE FRN Native (5th from the top) that are not pictured that I can also carry.

Still looking for a PS/FRN Gen 3 to complete my collection of the Gen 1-4 Natives.. The Gen 4 only came in PE/CF. Too many variations of the Native 5 to bother trying to collect them all. So, I'm happy w/just the Native 5 PE S35VN G10, PE S90V Fluted CF and the PE S35VN Fluted Ti (the bottom 3 in the photo).

Was planning to sell the Gen 2/3 "users" (which were subordinated by the better versions pictured) but I just haven't gotten around to it yet.
 
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sgt1372 said:
Why the question?

The Native has been around the longest and is into its 5th generation since it was first introduced around 1997. The Sage was 1st released in 2008 and the Chapparal in 2011; neither has seen any generational changes yet.

While they superficially look the same but they have different ergos and offer different scale/lock/blade combos. Different strokes for different folks.

The Native 5 is the most diversified model in terms of the types of scale/blade materials offerred but it only comes w/a back lock. The Sage/Chapparal come in more limited blade/scale combos but are offered w/different locking mechanisms, including a compression lock if you prefer it.

The only one of the 3 that I've ever purchased/carried is the Native. After buying my 1st Native, which was a Gen 5 PE S35VN G10, I never had any interest in buying a Sage or Chapparal. I decided to expand my collection of Natives later.

Lousy photo but this is my collection of Gen 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 Natives.


gKviOKM.jpg


I don't often carry any of my Natives but, if I do, the PE S35VN G10 Native 5 (3rd from the bottom) is the one that I will usually choose but I also have an extra "user" Gen 2 PE S/S Native (3rd from the top) and an extra "user: Gen 3 PE FRN Native (5th from the top) that are not pictured that I can also carry.

Still looking for a PS/FRN Gen 3 to complete my collection of the Gen 1-4 Natives.. The Gen 4 only came in PE/CF. Too may variations of the Native 5 to bother collecting. So, I'm happy w/just the Native 5 PE S35VN G10, PE S90V Fluted CF and the PE S35VN Fluted Ti (the bottom 3 in the photo).

Was planning to sell the Gen 2/3 "users" (which were subordinated by the better versions pictured) but I just haven't gotten around to it yet.
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Why the question? Specifically for this kind of answer! Nice.
I was thinking of one myself and am looking for a reason. You know how that goes. I did just pick up a Shaman, M4/Micarta, but am wondering about that Native. I guess I cannot go wrong on it.
 
Welp, I did it, ordered a Native 5 LW in Rex 45 as a little brother to my Shaman and a competitor to my Sage. My only other example of Rex 45 is in a copper PM2 that is kind of my fancy knife, so this should get out more. I also like the "Stormtrooper" colors. Y'all are terrible influences. 😁
 
N5 has an excellent back lock, is quite light in the FRN version, is surprisingly slim for a Spyderco, and has a blade that cuts very well while still being reasonably stout. It is a very nice size to carry every day unless you really need a bigger cutting edge. Especially with a deep carry clip the N5 carries very discretely. It has a closed back which protects the edge from unwanted interactions with other stuff in your pocket. On the ones I have handled, build quality has been consistently very good. There are some very fancy upscale versions and many different steels available in the N5 (makes it a nice knife for comparing different steels).

The Sage is a very cool knife. I just have come to like the N5 better.
 
rocketbomb said:
N5 has an excellent back lock, is quite light in the FRN version, is surprisingly slim for a Spyderco, and has a blade that cuts very well while still being reasonably stout. It is a very nice size to carry every day unless you really need a bigger cutting edge. Especially with a deep carry clip the N5 carries very discretely. It has a closed back which protects the edge from unwanted interactions with other stuff in your pocket. On the ones I have handled, build quality has been consistently very good. There are some very fancy upscale versions and many different steels available in the N5 (makes it a nice knife for comparing different steels).

The Sage is a very cool knife. I just have come to like the N5 better.
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Yeah, it's a fantastic do-anything carry minimal sort of knife, it's just a good one.
 
yablanowitz said:
Personally, I'd take the N5 over the Sage 5 just to avoid the compression lock.
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^^^ this. Sage 5 is for fidgeting, Native 5 for use ... Plus the Native 5 design is more elegant. My dogs like it better, too :D

i-68xPqHN-X3.jpg


That being said, the s110v Native 5 was my first modern knife, years ago. 2nd was a Military. They both have a special place in my collection.
 
The N5 fits my hand better than any other knife I have. It is discreet when used with a low ride clip, especially when the handle and clip colors match the pants I am wearing (I have several options here - most often blue clip with S110V or SPY27 and dark jeans). The back lock with a very positive detent means it will not open in my pocket, even in the case of hard impact (e.g. car accident)*. It is plenty big for my typical cutting chores. I think it is a very refined design that just works for me. As usual, YMMV, there is a reason why there are many models to choose from.

There is normally an N5 LW of some variety in my pocket (Rex 45 at this moment, bronze clip, wearing brown shorts) along with a CRK of some variety in another pocket.

*This may not matter to some, but I have had other blades open in my pocket when a thumb stud catches on the way out (I'm looking at you, BM) or when vigorous motion loosens a blade with a soft detent, and I have had similar knives open when dropped. My father got cut quite badly when he had an auto accident while wearing a fixed blade. Sure, it was a fixed blade, but the principle applies.
 
Don M said:
The N5 fits my hand better than any other knife I have. It is discreet when used with a low ride clip, especially when the handle and clip colors match the pants I am wearing (I have several options here - most often blue clip with S110V or SPY27 and dark jeans). The back lock with a very positive detent means it will not open in my pocket, even in the case of hard impact (e.g. car accident)*. It is plenty big for my typical cutting chores. I think it is a very refined design that just works for me. As usual, YMMV, there is a reason why there are many models to choose from.

There is normally an N5 LW of some variety in my pocket (Rex 45 at this moment, bronze clip, wearing brown shorts) along with a CRK of some variety in another pocket.

*This may not matter to some, but I have had other blades open in my pocket when a thumb stud catches on the way out (I'm looking at you, BM) or when vigorous motion loosens a blade with a soft detent, and I have had similar knives open when dropped. My father got cut quite badly when he had an auto accident while wearing a fixed blade. Sure, it was a fixed blade, but the principle applies.
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Just ordered myself the one you're carrying, my man! Very excited for it. I have never specifically thought about the pants-opening thing, esp. in the case of things like car accidents... that is a good thought to have, though. Glad your father made it out. I suppose I have a pretty good go of it because I always keep my knife with the blade to the far left or right of my pocket because of my usage of the wave feature, and it has become a habit regardless if the specific knife has a wave, that's just where I like to keep it.

My only Benchmade is a fixed blade 😁
 
KhXdDqY.jpg


The ergos on the native 5 are the definition of perfect.

The blade shape and design are perfect for edc tasks.

On top of that, the guys and girls at spyderco decided to make a floridaman approved version in lc200n.

This thing regularly competes for pocket time against $1500 knives in my collection it's just that damn good.
 
I have two Native 5 LW's & they're just a great working knives. I have XL hands, but the Native has great ergos, nice blade shape & a dependable lock. I've never had a problem doing any daily cutting chores with it.
Of course I got along just fine carrying a Barlow or stockman for almost 50 years before even buying my first modern folder, so what do I know.:)
 
The Native 5 and the Native Chief are at the top of my favorite list. The Military is a soft spot tied with the Chief. Just great designs in both carry and use.
 
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