Mid-sized Native?

[Wartstein]

A crude transform tool job in Gimp.

Looking at the pic I almost can't help feeling like the standard Native size is actually missing and "only" its larger/smaller iterations do exist...

My two alltime favorite folders are Stretch 1 (disco'ed) and Endura. While I like the long cutting edge of the Endura (and Chief) I prefer the more compact carry of the Stretch 1 (and would on a "mid sized Native").
If the proposed model managed to have a cutting edge closer to the Stretch 1 (81mm) than let's say a Manix (73mm), but still be a compact carry... perfect!

[Wartstein]

And how should it be named?
Perhaps plain and simple "NATIVE TRIBESMAN"?

[kobold]

And how should it be named?
Perhaps plain and simple "NATIVE TRIBESMAN"?

Cool! I also have one.


Elder

"Not all older or elderly people are considered elders. An elder is a person that has accumulated a great deal of wisdom and knowledge throughout his or her lifetime, especially in the tradition and customs of the group."


I like the Elder because an Elder fits between a Native and the Chief in the tribal hierarchy, just like a mid-sized Native.. It's a teacher.




I was also thinking about Totem, but that, with its spiritual connotations relates more to some future Shaman iteration.

[Catamount123]

As far as a name, the obvious choice that comes to my mind is “Brave”.

[Netherend]

Basically a back lock manix 2

Not really for me - main differences (which, yes, can of course be everything from neglectable to defining, depending on whom you ask... ):
- Native and Chief have a totally "flat", humpless spine / no ramp whatsoever
- Partly because of the above Native and Chief have a slimmer carry profile for their overall length
- The "concept of the ergos" is very different imho:
The Manix very much locks your hand in one (two with the choil) very clearly defined position (which can be a good or bad thing) and has that "hook" at the handle end (good for pull cuts, but restricting the available grip area)
The Native/Chief on the contrary do everything to offer as much grip area length as possible on the actual handle (pretty much flat/horizontal handle end, less defined finger positions for the fingers)

Now are these "enough real differences" to a backlock manix 2 to make a similarly sized "Mid sized Native" a thing?!
For me: Yes. But I also totally get the points of forum friend Mushroom, that at some point one has to think about limits concerning making every platform in multiple sizes. For me though in the "Native familiy" a real, distinctive Native in the very popular and useful PM2 / Endela / Manix range is missing.

I really love the shape at the top of the Native 5 blade where it thickens to a straight flat top. It looks great and it makes the blade slimmer to carry. I’d love to see a manix size version of that exact blade shape

[JRinFL]

I like the name Native Elder, but I suspect it would just be called Native 5 3.5.

BTW, if it is not clear, I am fully behind this happening. Despite my signature line...

[bearfacedkiller]

Chief
Shaman
Brave
Native

Does that work? Is it PC? I don’t actually know.

[RamZar]

Chief
Shaman
Brave
Native

Does that work? Is it PC? I don’t actually know.

Probably not. Remember all these sports franchises have or will change their names: Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves, Washington Redskins, Kansas City Chiefs. Very easy to unintentionally disparage people these days.

[aaronkb]

Chief
Shaman
Brave
Native

Does that work? Is it PC? I don’t actually know.

To be honest, none of the names in that line are especially PC - the ship has kindof sailed, as I doubt they’re going to rename them, but it definitely makes me uncomfortable that they used those names unless they have some Native American heritage I’m not aware of.

Still love my Shaman, Native and lil native, and love Spyderco and the Glessers. But I don’t think they’re super culturally sensitive.

[Gtscotty]

A crude transform tool job in Gimp.

I like that, could use one in 20CV.

As for the name, I like Brave, but if that offends the sensibilities I submit: 'Middle-aged Honkey".... No-one will write a huffy letter to the editor over that characterization guaranteed.

[aaronkb]

A crude transform tool job in Gimp.

I like that, could use one in 20CV.

As for the name, I like Brave, but if that offends the sensibilities I submit: 'Middle-aged Honkey".... No-one will write a huffy letter to the editor over that characterization guaranteed.

Gimme 20 years and I’ll be deeply offended by that

I should admit, I kindof like “brave” and it helps that it’s also an everyday adjective.

[bearfacedkiller]

A crude transform tool job in Gimp.

I like that, could use one in 20CV.

As for the name, I like Brave, but if that offends the sensibilities I submit: 'Middle-aged Honkey".... No-one will write a huffy letter to the editor over that characterization guaranteed.

Gimme 20 years and I’ll be deeply offended by that

I should admit, I kindof like “brave” and it helps that it’s also an everyday adjective.

I’m an Irish American kid from Boston. We aren’t easily offended so I guess that is why I don’t always get it. I mean, look at the Celtics mascot and look at what a ridiculous event St. Paddy's day is every year. We just roll with it.

[aaronkb]

A crude transform tool job in Gimp.

I like that, could use one in 20CV.

As for the name, I like Brave, but if that offends the sensibilities I submit: 'Middle-aged Honkey".... No-one will write a huffy letter to the editor over that characterization guaranteed.

Gimme 20 years and I’ll be deeply offended by that

I should admit, I kindof like “brave” and it helps that it’s also an everyday adjective.

I’m an Irish American kid from Boston. We aren’t easily offended so I guess that is why I don’t always get it. I mean, look at the Celtics mascot and look at what a ridiculous event St. Paddy's day is every year. We just roll with it.

St Paddy’s is a mess for sure. Although I’ve always felt like comparisons between the Irish and other cultures that have been oppressed is a stretch due to the huge difference in degree.

Irish immigrants dealt with plenty of prejudice when they got here, but that’s not quite the same as native Americans being pushed further and further off their own land by a people who were committing genocide against them. It feels like a long time ago and I’m not saying any of us are responsible for what our ancestors did (not a fan of the ‘sins of the father’ concept), but the economic and cultural effects of that genocide are still very real to this day and are felt bigtime in Native American communities which still struggle with some of the highest levels of poverty and illness.

Anyway better stop myself before I get in trouble for being political again (Kristi, if you’re reading, I promise I didn’t start the topic :D ). I’ll just conclude with this thought: the concept of cultural appropriation isn’t a thing because people can’t take a lighthearted joke; it’s because of the context in which that appropriation occurs. It’s easy for me not to be offended by a knife called “honkey” because I’ve never experienced oppression specifically for being white, but in many other cases it’s an insult being added to grievous and unresolved injury.

And now, to pivot to an even more contentious hill I’m willing to die on: this knife should have a comp lock. Come at me, nerds!

[bearfacedkiller]

I wasn’t trying to make any comparisons. Just stating that I/we have thick skin. I’m a little tone deaf when it comes to being PC. I’m trying.

Sorry for the tangent. I was just trying to suggest a good name.

[aaronkb]

I wasn’t trying to make any comparisons. Just stating that I/we have thick skin. Sorry for the tangent. I was just trying to suggest a good name.

Lol sorry if I sounded bothered! I’m not at all, I’m just a thinker and a talker and have absolutely no beef with the man who got me into k390

Well, other than the fact that I still don’t know what this collab of yours looks like

[Catamount123]

It’s hard to understand why anyone would be offended about being called brave?

[vivi]

Chief
Shaman
Brave
Native

Does that work? Is it PC? I don’t actually know.

To be honest, none of the names in that line are especially PC - the ship has kindof sailed, as I doubt they’re going to rename them, but it definitely makes me uncomfortable that they used those names unless they have some Native American heritage I’m not aware of.

Still love my Shaman, Native and lil native, and love Spyderco and the Glessers. But I don’t think they’re super culturally sensitive.

I'm part NA and those names don't offend me in the slightest. There's a big difference between calling something Chief, and the Chief Wahoo logo, in my eyes.

A crude transform tool job in Gimp.

I kind of scoffed at the idea of a midsized native at first, but this mock-up has me reconsidering. The Shaman handles a lot differently than the Chief & Native, so even though size-wize it fills this gap, the overall design isn't quite the same DNA.

[Bemo]

I almost wish I hadn't seen the mock up, just super desirable to me. And a version in comp lock and back lock would be great sellers. My preference would be linerless G10 to start but FRN.... good sized blade with minimal weight. Different steels and exclusives... really you've got products for the next 5 years off of the same platform.

[anycal]

...

A challenge to DigDug72 to make this happen

I am in for this to become a thing. I would give up both my Manixes for one of these

The Native is basically a smaller version of the Chief; Chief bigger version of the Native. Same stock, pivot, choils, angles, cutouts and stop pin placements, even the PB washers. No redesign really.

[aaronkb]

Chief
Shaman
Brave
Native

Does that work? Is it PC? I don’t actually know.

To be honest, none of the names in that line are especially PC - the ship has kindof sailed, as I doubt they’re going to rename them, but it definitely makes me uncomfortable that they used those names unless they have some Native American heritage I’m not aware of.

Still love my Shaman, Native and lil native, and love Spyderco and the Glessers. But I don’t think they’re super culturally sensitive.

I'm part NA and those names don't offend me in the slightest. There's a big difference between calling something Chief, and the Chief Wahoo logo, in my eyes.

Good to hear!