Why the Native 5?

[Pjake]

Centofante 3 is a great knife. Had one back in 2011...sold it in 2015....two months later bought a new one and have had it/carried it frequently since. Natives and my traditionals get the overwhelming majority of pocket time, but the Centofante 3 & Techno 2 are always on my desk within reach. Yes excellent slicer for sure and really pleasant to look at and to hold.

 

[Hashishiin]

https://imgur.com/a/bw2qoTH

Because there is not yet a Native 6? I had an N5, and sent it along because it didn't have a selling point on it's own at that time for me. That changed with the LC200n, as it was going to get a lot of use around salt water. It's worth noting that I cannot EDC a locker, otherwise the N5 would have fit that role quite well, though it is large for what I like in a casual EDC. A lil' native is on the way to me in slipit, so that should really be the ticket for most days. As for the design and egros, I have small hands and it works very well, which considering how many guys with big paws say it fits them well, tells me that there is something very neutral about the handle shape. I find the blade shape to be very useful, with the tip and belly being very intuitive to use, while getting a good edge-to-material angle. It's not a specialist, and for most edc tasks it does exactly what I need it to do. I wouldn't fillet with it, but if I'm down on the beach needing to cut line, bait, or lunch, it gets things done.

Huh, different cultures, to me it is a rather modest sized knife, but then again I have a custom belt sheath for my Espada XL haha, but it's a big cutter for what it is. Was interested in the Magnacut version coming out. It's perfect for a causal, lgiht EDC in my eyes, and my hands are similar, and I can hold/cut well in so many different ways. I love the little swedge on the spine. It just seems like a great "Hey, gonna have a day out!" pocket knife. I am loving mine so far!

I guess the only reason not to go Native 5 is for rapid deployment at the moment you need it (it's quite a stiff lock and mine takes a little dexterity to use) and arguably to double as a self defense knife yet in trained hands could probably still accel at that because its edge can get so sharp

Oh, I am in no need for a rapid-deploying knife like this, this is the most EDC that EDC knives get, haha I carry something with a wave feature on the lip of my pocket for SD, as pictured, the Native is just for pure cutting enjoyment

Funny thing though, people say they cannot flick smaller Spydies or lockbacks, either with pointer or middle, but I can easily flick the Native 5 open. I can Spydie-flick a knife into reverse-grip, or flick the Dragonfly. Definitely a stiff backlock though and I like it, may restore confidence in people who think backlocks are oldfashioned, or weak, or do not like the like thatome Japanese backlocks "drop shut". Loving it so much.

 

[sodak]

I like the Native 5 because it reminds me of my Calypso Jr.'s (which are my all time favorite Spyderco). The Native 5 is probably second for me, but the Caly 3 is a close 3rd.

 

[cintage]

I’ve got the SPY27 N5. Why?
1. When I saw it for the first time, I fell in love with its shape.
2. All of a sudden and very surprisingly I got a fantastic offer to buy the SPY27 version some time ago.
3. After I had it, I realised that it is not a very fidgety knife, but that it has perfect ergonomics for my hand and that it cuts like hell.
4. The backlock basically turns the folder into a fixed blade knife when engaged.

 

[kobold]

PICS!

 

[stillshot2]

I am in no need for a rapid-deploying knife like this, this is the most EDC that EDC knives get

I have figured out how to reliably and more easily flick the N5 lightweight open. If I just dig my thumbnail into the hole it gives enough leverage, and having the knife pointed down for gravity to help or a little wrist action will get it to open every time in a hurry. It's a little rough on the finger nail but I rarely need to flick like this, just if I do or want to it can be done. Bronze washers would probably help with the smoothness and I still deep down think I would have preferred to have them on this knife.

 

[bmo419]

Own both the Sage 5 LW and Native 5 LW. I love the overall design and blade shape on the Native 5 a little better, but that said I'd take a compression lock over a back lock given a choice. I just find the compression lock to be more efficient since I don't have to fiddle with it as much compared to a back lock to get it open or closed. I know that the compression lock on the Sage5 LW is slightly different compared to like the PM2/3 series, and I don't know what exactly they changed, but it's the best compression lock I have. It's particularly smooth and satisfying to use. Native 5 is about as efficient a design as you're going to get on a 3" blade. It's a decent amount slimmer in the pocket vs the Sage 5 (since no pronounced thumb ramp on the spine), a little bit shorter in handle length as well, but slightly less usable edge vs the Sage 5 while both being a 3" blade. You also have a plethora of colors, handle materials, and steels to choose from with the Native 5 which is great. The Sage 5 you got black CF G10 in S30V or black FRN in S30V. That's it. Not counting the mint FRN in M4 model since It was limited production and not available anymore barring the secondary market.

I do prefer the "sharper" bi-directional texturing on the Golden made FRN models like the Native 5 vs the slightly smoother bi-directional texturing on the FRN Sage 5 from Taichung. The wire clip on the Sage 5 is better imo than the Native 5 but that's personal preference. Added a wire clip to my Native 5 anyway after designing a little adapter. At this point I'm not sure why they don't make a compression lock version of the Native 5 since the Lil Native shows that the compression lock design works just fine with the platform (love my Lil Native). That would be my ideal 3" blade folding knife.

Since no one else had posted direct comparisons and the OP mentioned the Sage 5 vs Native 5 initially, here we go. Don't mind my crappy forced patina on the Native 5, it was my first time trying a forced patina and the knife is a user anyway. I learned first hand Maxamet steel apparently develops surface rust if you look at it funny so wanted a little more corrosion protection.