Native 5 s90v vs Native 5 s110v vs Sage 5

[mashume]

All,

Thanks for the marvelous board. I've been reading for a while now.

First 'upscale' knife purchase question... help me decide between the three:

Spyderco Native 5 Knife Fluted Carbon Fiber (3" Satin CPM-S90V) C41CFFP5
Spyderco Native 5 Knife Dark Blue G-10 (3" Satin CPM-S110V) C41GPDBL5
Spyderco Sage 5 Compression Lock Knife Carbon Fiber/G-10 (3" Satin) C123CFPCL

I like the clip of the Sage 5. I am drawn to the s110v of the dark blue Native, and I'm taken with the solid CF of the fluted Native.

Anyone have a deciding factor for me? are wire clips for a deeper carry available for the Native? Will I miss any performance (largely looking for corrosion resistance, not edge holding with something less than the s110v?

Cheers,
Mashume

[Ric]

Hello and welcome!

I personally love the compression lock.
Carbon Fiber would be too expensive for me.
S30V is nowadays standard steel. Not so great edge holding but easy to sharpen.
S110V holds an edge VERY WELL but difficult to sharpen.

Independent of the knife i recommend you to buy a sharpmaker.

My suggestion:
1. Sage
1a. Sharpmaker
2. S110v
3. Carbon

[attila]

S110V will have the best corrosion resistance of the three, so if that's vitally important, I'd choose that. S90V and S30V won't have corrosion issues if not stored in moist, salty environments.

Between the CF Native in S90V and the Sage 5, idk what I would choose. The CF of the Native is stunning in photos and I prefer S90V over S30V, but it's $83 more at retailers. The Sage is cheaper, not fluted CF, and has S30V, a compression lock, and wire clip. The Native is more attractive than the Sage (to me), however, helping offset the price and clip differences.

It's a really tough choice between these two. Good luck choosing.

As a side note, if you're already spending for an "upscale" knife, you might as well get the one that is most aesthetically pleasing and speaks to you. If that's a Native for you, the lack of a deep carry clip can be remedied via MXG or Lynch clips for around $30 iirc.

After considering the question, and if price were no issue, I'd get the fluted CF Native. I have no need of another regular production compression lock or S110V knife, so the fluted CF would win my dollars. A similar decision process led me to the smooth green G10 S90V Native from Knifecenter about a month ago.

[attila]

double posting fail...

[SG89]

fluted cf native 5

[Sharp Guy]

Another vote for the fluted cf Native. Yeah it's a little pricey but once you get one in hand you'll understand.

Sage 5 would be my second vote. The action on mine's a little finicky but now that I have it dialed in it's decent. Don't let S30V hold you back from this great knife. Edge retention is fine. It's not S90V or S110V but it takes a great edge and holds it better than some would have you believe.

[Diamondback]

Hi mashume !...welcome to the Forums.

In my opinion you "have your eye" on three of Spyderco's nicest mid-size folders. ALL have the same blade length. ALL will carry about the same, and ALL will handle your every day cutting tasks with ease.

If a backlock appeals to you one of the Natives will be your choice. The Native 5 Knife Fluted Carbon Fiber has a contoured handle, and is the lighter of the two Natives you are considering. Few will disagree that it is a VERY handsome model. The Native 5 Knife Dark Blue G-10, with full liners is almost an ounce heavier than the Fluted Carbon Native, and that extra weight makes the S110V Native feel as if it will be up to any task. I doubt you will be able to tell much of a difference between S90V and S110V blade steel. But for the record S110V is slightly more stain resistant and will hold a working edge a bit longer than S90V.

The Sage 5 Compression Lock Knife Carbon Fiber has a blade made from S30V...it won't hold a working edge quite as long as S110V and S90V, so if you are a "hard user" you will need to sharpen it more often than those Natives. S30V is good blade steel however, just not as "high performance" as the other two. The Carbon fiber on the Sage 5 is an "overlay" applied to G-10...nothing wrong with it...just not quite as "handsome" as the solid fluted carbon. The Sage 5 has a compression lock...and it's one of my very favorite. Everyone should try a compression lock at least once!

So...get the one that appeals to you most....and then start saving for the other two. :D

[wrdwrght]

If you're not expert at sharpening, I'd advise the Sage5.

Its S30V offers excellent corrosion resistance as well as very good edge-holding for most tasks. Being the tougher of the three steels, S30V's edge is more likely to roll than to chip, especially once the over-heated belt-sanded factory edge has been reworked (get a Sharpmaker), and, in any case, is the quicker to get sharp again. Such is my experience, anyway.

I don't imagine the Native5 in S110V or S90V will become rare in the next little while.

Welcome. Much to learn here.

[Donut]

Welcome to the forum!

All three are nice knives. There is a chance that you will like the Sage more once you hold them in your hands.

[Hopsbreath]

Of the three, yeah that fluted Native is sick. But since there always has to be that guy bringing up something different, have you seen the deal Knifeworks is running on the Ti/CF/S90V Military? Just saying

[sal]

Hi Mashume,

Welcome to or forum.

sal

[kodai78]

Hi! I only own the Sage 5 but it’s one of my favorite knives. Love the lock, love the CF. S30 V was a premium steel not that long ago and it’s still quite good in my opinion. Easy to keep sharp on the Sharpmaker and doesn’t chip in use like VG 10 can. Hope this helps. You could just buy all 3!

[dreadpirate]

fluted cf native 5

Agreed. S110V and S90V are pretty equivalent. But the carbon fiber scales are a really nice touch. If money is not an issue, then get that model.

[bh49]

if price were no issue, I'd get the fluted CF Native.

+1
CF Fluted N5 is my favorite knife.
I love Natives and have about a dozen of them. Still CF Fluted is the cream of the crop. Beautiful, light and great ergos. S90V is a great steel. Frankly I do not see a difference between S90V and S110V.
Short note about Sage. I am not a fan. I used to have original and sold it. Still, if you like the look: good ergos and beautiful CF. Do not let anybody mislead you about S30V. It is not latest and greatest. It is not sound cool, but very good steel and more than sufficient for anybody, except steelnut. If this knife is for use, S30V will not disappoint you.

[ronT2]

Welcome to the forum!

I have both the Fluted CF Native and the Sage 5 and either one would be an excellent choice. The liner-less fluted CF Native is a beautiful knife. But, I have to second what wrdwrgth said about sharpening. I found myself on quite a leaning curve the first time I went to sharpen S90V, it can still be a challenge to get as sharp as I’d like. So, if you don’t have a lot of experience sharpening I would go with the Sage 5 first. I don’t use a knife very hard so I find S30V more than adequate. It’s almost a pleasure to sharpen compared to S90V. If you stick around here for a while you’ll probably end up with both anyway.

Native with MXG clip

[bh49]

If you're not expert at sharpening, I'd advise the Sage5.

I am using S110V Native5 since they came out in 2013. I do not see a difference in reprofiling of S90V or S110V. It just take a little longer that S30V.
Of cause you need to have appropriate tools. Without diamond stones I would not even start reprofiling either S30V or S90V. Years ago I reprfiled C41 Native (S30V) using medium sharpmaker rods. It took me days. About 100-150 strokes on each flat, than wash, than dry and do this again and again. Fortunately later I bought silicon carbide moldmaker stones. They helped.
But again, something like S90V you need to reprofile once in few month, depending on use. Between these, sharpmaker is sufficient for touch-up either of these steels.

[sn0wman72]

The back lock of the Native and the compression lock of the Sage 5 is to me the main driver of your decision.

For me the Sage 5 is a nice all around EDC, and the carbon fiber over G10 adds a nice visual touch...that said the fluted carbon fiber on the Native 5 is the real deal and several steppes up in the looks department

[tangent]

S30V is nowadays standard steel. Not so great edge holding but easy to sharpen.

I disagree with this...S30V has great edge retention. Not as good as S90V and S110V, but is better than most of the steels that knives have been made from in the past 50 years.

[kingston73]

I was about to start my own thread but this is almost exactly what I was going to ask. I just bought a used native S110V and it’s going to be my first S110V blade ever and my second native (first was a g10 s35]. Will a powered ken onion worksharp sharpener be fine if use with S110V to reprofile (stupid autocorrect)

Another related question, how tough are native scales to replace? I’m thinking of getting some custom carbon fiber or maybe wood scales for this once I get it delivered.

[attila]

I was about to start my own thread but this is almost exactly what I was going to ask. I just bought a used native S110V and it’s going to be my first S110V blade ever and my second native (first was a g10 s35]. Will a powered in onion sharpener be fine if use with S110V to reproduce?

Another related question, how tough are native scales to replace? I’m thinking of getting some custom carbon fiber or maybe wood scales for this once I get it delivered.

Congrats on getting a new (to you) knife!

To your first question, I dont know anything about onion sharpeners, but I recommend against using S110V during reproduction... :p
(Seriously, tho, I think you mean reprofile, but I don't know what an onion sharpener is, so I still can't answer that question.)

With regard to disassembly, I think that's pretty straight forward with the Native since there isn't a flared lanyard tube holding onto both scales. Check out YouTube for disassembly videos before you start disassembly, and good luck.