Hi! I'm new here. I've also recently started collecting spyderco's. I just love them! So far, I have the Calypso JR, Merlin, Delica, Rescue, Dragonfly and my favorite, the Native...which just replaced my Kershaw Leek for my EDC. My question is that could someone please tell me the difference between the Natives (I, II &III)? Is getting the other models worth it? Thank You!
"What you do does not matter...What matters is doing it or not"
Native question/advice
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dialex
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Welcome to the Spyderco Forum. There's a nice bunch of Spydies you're growing out there <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
Now for the Native thing:
There is the "original" Native, made in Golden, Colorado. Slim FRN handles, S30V blade (older versions have CPM 440V steel), regular pocket clip.
There is the SS Native, just like the above, just with AUS-10 blade and SS handles (obviously) <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> There is a small difference at the swedge of the blade and serrations compared to the FRN version. Also, long, long time ago, the first Natives came without the swedge and the steel was Gin-1 (if I remember well).
A nice touch, the Golden models have on the blade "Golden, USA, Earth" <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
AFAIK, the Native was the first knife with a bidirectional texturing.
Finally, the Native III (as you can see, there isn't a Native II), named this way because the handles are more "3D" shaped, more bulky, with thumb pads and wire clip. The blade has a different swedge, is made out of VG-10 and the knife is made in Seki - Japan. Some love it more than the regular Native. Speaking for my part, I love my Native (440V, Golden Earth)but it doesn't fit my hand quite well (like a Calypso jr. for instance), therefore I seldom carry it. <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
Edited by - dialex on 7/29/2004 3:33:40 AM
Now for the Native thing:
There is the "original" Native, made in Golden, Colorado. Slim FRN handles, S30V blade (older versions have CPM 440V steel), regular pocket clip.
There is the SS Native, just like the above, just with AUS-10 blade and SS handles (obviously) <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> There is a small difference at the swedge of the blade and serrations compared to the FRN version. Also, long, long time ago, the first Natives came without the swedge and the steel was Gin-1 (if I remember well).
A nice touch, the Golden models have on the blade "Golden, USA, Earth" <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
AFAIK, the Native was the first knife with a bidirectional texturing.
Finally, the Native III (as you can see, there isn't a Native II), named this way because the handles are more "3D" shaped, more bulky, with thumb pads and wire clip. The blade has a different swedge, is made out of VG-10 and the knife is made in Seki - Japan. Some love it more than the regular Native. Speaking for my part, I love my Native (440V, Golden Earth)but it doesn't fit my hand quite well (like a Calypso jr. for instance), therefore I seldom carry it. <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
Edited by - dialex on 7/29/2004 3:33:40 AM
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thombrogan
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Welcome to the forum, TbirdJoe!
I thought that the stainless steel-handled Native with the AUS-10 steel was the Native II. but it wouldn't be the 600th time I was wrong this morning.
As a collector, the more the merrier, and there are all kinds of limited edition Natives to track down, too. As a user, they're still all good, but the regular Native with S30V will handle everything every other Native will handle.
To replace a Kershaw Leek as you EDC, it must've made quite an impression on you! Mr. Onion designs some exceptional knives.
-Thom Brogan <a href="http://www.tntbrogan.com" target="_blank">Pictures</a> of our daughter, Cynthia
I thought that the stainless steel-handled Native with the AUS-10 steel was the Native II. but it wouldn't be the 600th time I was wrong this morning.
As a collector, the more the merrier, and there are all kinds of limited edition Natives to track down, too. As a user, they're still all good, but the regular Native with S30V will handle everything every other Native will handle.
To replace a Kershaw Leek as you EDC, it must've made quite an impression on you! Mr. Onion designs some exceptional knives.
-Thom Brogan <a href="http://www.tntbrogan.com" target="_blank">Pictures</a> of our daughter, Cynthia
The box of the last SS Native I had Native ll was printed on the box.
<img src=http://techhelpers.net/e4u/drink/trink36.gif
<img src=http://techhelpers.net/e4u/drink/trink36.gif
Thom
The SS version is the Native II.
I know, coz it says so on mi box!
The natives are my favourite Spyderco knife! I have at the moment eight variations and am waiting for the Iraqi freedom knife to arrive. A better knife in such a compact size will be hard to find!
Regards Ken
Do not condemn the judgement of another because it differs from your own. You may both be wrong.
The SS version is the Native II.
I know, coz it says so on mi box!
The natives are my favourite Spyderco knife! I have at the moment eight variations and am waiting for the Iraqi freedom knife to arrive. A better knife in such a compact size will be hard to find!
Regards Ken
Do not condemn the judgement of another because it differs from your own. You may both be wrong.
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death-bringah
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Sword and Shield
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BRK? Blasphemy!!! I rather have a picture of a Spyderco Native to look at than a BRK Native...
Anyhow, I think the only Natives I don't have and that Sal has not release to the public have been those lil CF prototypes he has floatin' around. *coughSPRINTRUNcough*
I'll try to get my lazzy tail off this chair some time and set up my TrIbE of Natives to take a picture and post it either here or on Bladeforums...Btw, I think the best native to date color and all has been the Tan variants out there...of which I have one EDC and two for the collection (1 Iraqi and 1 Afghanistan)...they have a nice looking clip and the FRN is a nice tan to go with any pocket that has a tan color around it. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
Anyhow, I think the only Natives I don't have and that Sal has not release to the public have been those lil CF prototypes he has floatin' around. *coughSPRINTRUNcough*
I'll try to get my lazzy tail off this chair some time and set up my TrIbE of Natives to take a picture and post it either here or on Bladeforums...Btw, I think the best native to date color and all has been the Tan variants out there...of which I have one EDC and two for the collection (1 Iraqi and 1 Afghanistan)...they have a nice looking clip and the FRN is a nice tan to go with any pocket that has a tan color around it. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
Thank you all for your generous welcome and great insight. I've already put in my order for a Native III. As I'm new to spyderco's, I'm just collecting the serrated "basic" (lightweight?) models for now. My brother and Father are longtime Spyderco fanatics and they finally converted me. I really love the Native's broadness and the way it fits me for EDC. My wife had been lamenting the fact that I've found another thing to collect, (I've been collecting one thing or another all my life eg. Brittains toy soldiers, old Nikon cameras etc.) Had been suspiciously quiet about my Spyderco's lately and I've finally found out why. I found my Dragonfly clipped to her purse!
"What you do does not matter...What matters is doing it or not"
"What you do does not matter...What matters is doing it or not"
I actually have a BRK Native. It's level of quality falls a little short of that from Spyderco. Still, I keep it in the console compartment of my truck to use as a beater knife. I figure if it's stolen or broken, I really don't care; it's not high quality anyway.
Re. the Native being so darned useful...I think one of the reasons is because of its very wide blade for its size. It's blade shape is just so useful. And, of course, Spyderco is the best that ever did it when it comes to serrations, bar none!
Sniper -- One Shot, One Kill Email: ST8PEN01@aol.com
Re. the Native being so darned useful...I think one of the reasons is because of its very wide blade for its size. It's blade shape is just so useful. And, of course, Spyderco is the best that ever did it when it comes to serrations, bar none!
Sniper -- One Shot, One Kill Email: ST8PEN01@aol.com
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dialex
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Thanks for infos too. For some reason I was thinking that only the SS Delica and Endura have the "II" suffix.
<a href="http://users.pcnet.ro/dialex"><font color=blue>(my page)</font></a>
<a href="http://users.pcnet.ro/dialex"><font color=blue>(my page)</font></a>
Hey there Tbirdjoe!
I got all 3 versions. I personally like the III. I don't care for the wire clip, but I like the full handle feel! Plus all the texturing here and there is great!
Ahhh, all the others beat me to the diff's so I won't go there...and mahalo for your kind words to jim and I!
Take care man.
Proverbs 16:3...Commit YOUR works to the LORD, and YOUR plans WILL succeed!
I got all 3 versions. I personally like the III. I don't care for the wire clip, but I like the full handle feel! Plus all the texturing here and there is great!
Ahhh, all the others beat me to the diff's so I won't go there...and mahalo for your kind words to jim and I!
Take care man.
Proverbs 16:3...Commit YOUR works to the LORD, and YOUR plans WILL succeed!
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talonturbo
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According to the 2004 catalog, there is no Native II; its the Native SS. In terms of practical labeling, I think its safe to call the "SS" the "II". The Native is still the best of the bunch. The SS is pretty heavy, and the III is too slim at the back of the handle...but if it fits yer hand, its the one ya want. Thank God for variety.
There were some early Gin 1 Natives without the swedge and they are very rare.One pops up on ebay from time to time.
<img src=http://techhelpers.net/e4u/drink/trink36.gif
<img src=http://techhelpers.net/e4u/drink/trink36.gif