Your preference - Spyderco Native or Native III

C

cary1952

Joined
Jun 16, 2006
Messages
8
I am a total knife newbie! I managed to find a Native at a Walmart in Watertown, SD and bought it. This is my first knife purchase. I have been reading a lot of threads on various forums and I guess a little knowledge can be dangerous, hence I am a bit confused. Time and time again, the Native at Walmart came up. After trying 4 Walmart's during a 100 mile trip in Eastern SD, I did manage to find a Walmart that had one!

I will be purchasing very few knives and I was wondering if it is better to get a Native III online, or just keep the Native that I got at Wally World for $40.00

I hope this isn't a stupid question, but I am so new that I am totally unsure of my purchase. I can see there is a slight difference in the cosmetics of the handle and clip and blade, and that the big difference is steel VG10 vs CPMS30. So is one steel easier to care for or better than the other? Complete, well thought-out answers to my questions and concerns would be HIGHLY appreciated.

Thank you very much.
 
This is not going to be complete nor well thought-out answer :)

Difference between models are cosmetic as you have already noticed. Main difference between steels is that CPM S30V is powder steel. Powder mettalurgy provides more uniform steel as well as adds capability to alloy some contents in higher amount than in usual mettalurgical process.
Commonly is S30V perceived to be "better" than VG10. Both are stainless. Difference is in sharpening - S30V formes vanadium carbides that are harder than silicone carbides of common sharpening stone. Thus is recommended to use diamond sharpeners for S30V.
 
Both are great knives. Lots of people like VG-10 over S30V and others like S30V better. I think VG-10 is a better steel. The S30V Native is made in the USA and the Native III is made in Seki City Japan.

I like the Native for it's thin factor but I like the blade on the Native III better. It's all really personal preference.

Both are outstanding knives. :)

I think in the end I would go for the Native III. :D
 
I have both and I like the Native III better for the VG-10 and the feel of the handle. The only problem is that mine has a spring so strong that it takes 2 men and a boy to open or close one handed, therefore, it doesn't get much pocket time. The S30V Native from wally-world is an excellent carry knife that goes with we to work everyday. I think that the VG-10 gets sharper and stays sharp longer. YMMV Either way you get an excellent knife.:thumbup:
 
Native III for me, all the way. :thumbup:

First of all, the handle is rounded, more of a 3D contoured shape; one of the best Spyderco's made IMHO, and that's no mean feat.

Second, I like the blade grind better: the "corner" in the swedge of the Native I bothers me, while the longer, continuous swedge of the Native III looks better and feels better, and doesn't catch.

Third, the Native III has a wire clip, which I prefer because it's comfortable to the hand, easy on the pocket, and doesn't stand out to the sheeple.

Fourth, I'm a big fan of VG-10 steel. Although I don't have any personal horror stories, I keep hearing about chipping problems with S30V, and it worries me. VG-10 sharpens quite easily, takes a very useful "toothy" edge, and holds an edge well; S30V is hard to sharpen well, takes about as good an edge as VG-10 (with more work!), but holds it longer. However, I use my knives enough that sharpening is an inevitability; I prefer the steel that's easier to sharpen well, even if I have to sharpen a bit more often, and for me that means VG-10.
 
I like the Native III more than the regular Native. The handle is great. VG-10 is as good a steel as I'll need. I've got no other knife in the size range of the Native III that fits my hand so well.
 
The Native III fits my hand in the most wonderful way.
Very secure and extremely comfortable.

The Native just feels awkward and lacking.

As for the blade-steels:
Both are very nice and better than the majority of steels you will encounter in the knife world.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
Cary1952-

You could always order the native III, compare it to the native I, and if the 3 is more to your liking, turn the 1 back in to wallyworld. You are your own best judge.
 
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