So I want to try a Native.

[kennethsime]

It'll be my first Native, so I'm looking for advice on what to try. In addition to the poll above, I'll ask for a recommendation on a Native that's available right now (or in the near future) that's a little more interesting than the stock. Ie, not just black. I like earth tones and carbides. :-)

[SG89]

Native 5 LW Maxamet

[Evil D]

I only have the LW but it's brilliant. I would go with the linerless G10 next. Can't really go wrong with any of them, I'd choose a steel first and just roll with whatever handle configuration it comes with.

[dan31]

The REX 45 natives are coming. Linerless G10 or LW. Which ever drops first try to get to it. If you miss out try the next one. The Maxamet native is great.

I have the Maxamet LW and the smooth G10 Cruwear.

[ladybug93]

i only have a native salt, but i’ve handled the g10 version. the g10 version is handle-heavy and not as well balanced as the lw version. of the two, i prefer the lw, but that depends on your taste. if you want something that’s more interesting, the native salt is a great knife. it’s not exactly an earth tone, but you can dye it if you really hate yellow. i carry mine all the time, even in place of my favorite knife.

[TomAiello]

Native 5 LW Maxamet

This. Definitely.

[Sharp Guy]

Can't go wrong with any of the Native 5s IMO. It's funny, I have all these different Native 5's and the one I carry most is the N5 LW S35VN. Second most is the G10 S35VN with liners. Maybe it's because they were my first Natives but it's also because I really like S35VN. I'll likely be ordering new scales for the linered one soon.

The Maxamet LW is a nice choice too but pricey. I carried mine that I got from the seconds sale the other day.

If I wanted just one and money wasn't an issue then I'd go with the S90V Fluted Carbon Fiber model.



I'm sure I'll add the new Cobalt Blue SPY27 version at some point too.

Lot's of great choices when it comes to the Native 5s

[Wartstein]

As far as I know: If you want liners, only the S110V G10 Native comes with such anymore, all other Natives are linerless (unless you look on the secondary market).

But I'd go LW (linerless FRN) anyway. I had the S35 VN Native LW (meanwhile they switched to S30V), it was very well made,felt really light but still robust, and the backlock was one if the best executed I've ever experienced. Great knife.

Still, finally I moved away from the Native and got a Chaparral instead. Same actual cutting edge length in a much more compact package, thinner, more usefull bladestock and for me in actual use the Chap has better ergos (feels more stable in hand while the Native tended to "roll" a bit).

[koenigsegg]

My first Spyder was the Native frn so I maybe biased but that is my favorite Native. Any steel is great

[anycal]

I had a few. Great knife to gift. Currently, I have one LW and two linerless G10 models. I have never owned the G10 with liners.

If I could only keep one, I'd take the G10.

In use, actually cutting, to me there is no difference. I like the in-hand denser feel of the G10 model. I feel like I have a better hold of it while closing and opening the knife one handed. But I really like just dropping the LW model into my pocket, without a clip. One of the only knives I carry clipless.

That REX45 is a really nice steel. I'd go for one of those. I am thinking about going for the LW. Go figure...

[VooDooChild]

Ive got a few and will probably get some more. The rex 45 lightweight sprint is a great deal. Probably the cheapest native with a steel upgrade (I think, it was $112 right?). Also want to know when the spy27 version will be available and what the price in it will be.

Its just such a great edc knife. I like the clips on the lightweights better than the clips on the g10 models.

[zuludelta]

My most used knife at work & as an EDC is my blacked out combo edge Native 5 Lightweight in S35VN. If I could have only one folding knife, I think it's what I would pick. Not because it's my "favourite" in a sentimental sense, and not because it's the best at everything, but because it is very capable at everything I need a folding knife for (the serrations are important because I cut a lot of rope & other fibrous materials at my job). In terms of overall folding knife utility, it's the one that works best for me.

I have folding knives that have similar work utility (Delica 4 combo edge), and I also have knives that are more corrosion resistant (Salt 2 SE, Tasman Salt 2 SE, Native 5 LW Salt PE), or that are more discreet & carryable (blacked out Li'l Native, Dragonfly 2, Chaparral FRN, Manbug SE), or have significantly better wear resistance (Native 5 LW S110V, Dragonfly 2 ZDP-189), or have more usable cutting edge (Polestar, Alcyone), or have better personal ergonomics (Introvert, UKPK, Yojimbo 2), or are better suited for SD tasks (Yojimbo 2, Introvert, Karahawk), or are "classier" (Native 5 G-10, Q Ball)—but while this particular Native 5 Lightweight doesn't score an "A+" in any single category except work utility, it's a solid "B" or "B+" across the rest of them.

[Cscottsss]

My favorite Native that I own is probably this one, but close behind it is the Salt. I really like the LW versions and I believe CS re-released these, so you should be able to find one.

Untitled by Caleb Bender, on Flickr

[kennethsime]

Thank you all for your input!

The REX 45 natives are coming. Linerless G10 or LW. Which ever drops first try to get to it. If you miss out try the next one. The Maxamet native is great.

I think this is the answer for me. The only thing is I'm not too stoked on orange, so if it's a LW I may try to dye, and if it's G-10 I may try to find some aftermarket scales.

[DSH007]

I've always loved the Native. Years ago, long before I got into Spyderco, I remember seeing a friend's Native (4, I think..) and just falling in love with the design.. Fast-forward to today and the Native is model that I have the most of.. the Native Salt has probably been my most carried Native, due to being so beach/lake/sweat friendly.. but I voted linerless g10 because that's what I prefer aesthetically..

Ultimately, there is no wrong answer here, just get a Native! I'm thinking my next Native will be the REX!

[TkoK83Spy]

It'll be my first Native, so I'm looking for advice on what to try. In addition to the poll above, I'll ask for a recommendation on a Native that's available right now (or in the near future) that's a little more interesting than the stock. Ie, not just black. I like earth tones and carbides. :-)

I'm in the same boat as you! I've had plenty of knives, but for some reason never a Native. I've always debated which should be my first too. Very glad you created this thread! I'm piggy backing off all the responses as well for myself :p

[gull wing]

Cruwear!
But a lightweight with a Cruwear blade is KING. :)

[ugaarguy]

I had a Native 5 G10 / S35VN back when they had liners. The factory screws were a bit too short, I couldn't get the clip tight enough for it to not wobble. In fact, I've never had a Spyderco with a 3 hole clip where the screws thread into the liners that doesn't wobble. The liner-less knives, both FRN and G10, with the thread inserts solve this issue. Metal handles, like those on RIL knives, where much of the thickness of the handle is threaded also solve the problem. Even though it's only available in S30V, the liner-less G10 Native 5 is a great knife. The S90V / fluted CF version is also liner-less with thread inserts, which is telling to me.

[Brackish]

You can’t go wrong with the Native 5 Salt. It’s my most carried knife because I do things with it that I can’t bring myself to do with my Spydiechef. It sharpens easily when needed, holds an edge long enough for my uses, and is completely maintenance free. I’m not a giant fan of the color of the scales, but for some reason, I haven’t been able to bring myself to dye it yet like I did with my Dragonfly 2 Salt.

[dan31]

Thank you all for your input!

The REX 45 natives are coming. Linerless G10 or LW. Which ever drops first try to get to it. If you miss out try the next one. The Maxamet native is great.

I think this is the answer for me. The only thing is I'm not too stoked on orange, so if it's a LW I may try to dye, and if it's G-10 I may try to find some aftermarket scales.

Definitely try to get one of the REX45 natives. Orange is my least favorite color. The burnt orange looks more like a natural fall leaf color. Its really hard to get a decent picture of burnt orange. It’s very muted. The REX45 will patina with awesome and the whole knife will look better and better. Just keep an open mind.