M4 Native Chief - Impressions, reviews, etc.

[TkoK83Spy]

Nice collection! Which one is your favorite?

YES.

Hahahaha, perfect answer!

If I hadn't already created a Halloween knife with my Manix, I'd be very tempted to do so with this one.

[prndltech]

Nice collection! Which one is your favorite?

YES.

Hahahaha, perfect answer!

If I hadn't already created a Halloween knife with my Manix, I'd be very tempted to do so with this one.

:p

Vivi, I started using the orange cutlery shoppe exclusive first just because... no particular reason. I figured I'll beat on it for now and instead of multiples of the same knife I just have backups in different variations. at least that's where my brain went with it. :confused:

They all seem to have good fit/finish, the original bevels don't matter to me, I instantly microbevel a knife to get it in pocket, if not do a full sharpening. Most likely going to lay the angle back some and put a convex edge on it this weekend. Ive become a fan of them as of late.

[kennethsime]

Interested to see how the contouring goes. I’m thinking about the satin version once it drops, but would probably try to get some aftermarket Micarta scales for it.

[Zive]

Nice work Vivi. The dye seems really subtle in the first few pics as the jade tone can be more/less pronounced depending on the lighting of the photos. However when placed next to the original one it really pops. I may have to try the same with some Peacock Green RIT I have laying around. Roughly how long did you have the scales submerged?

My scales are also very slightly proud of the backspacer just by the second screw. I took it apart, lubed it up, and reassembled but wasn’t able to get the edges of the scales flush with the backspacer. Really not a big deal and I’m not sure I would have noticed it if it wasn’t mentioned in this thread.

Very happy with my purchase and looking forward to putting it to use.

[dan31]

That's some nice work Vivi! Agree that the Chief may be one of the best ever from Golden, CO.

[JMM]

Great post Vivi!! I just got into mine an hour or so ago & got the obligatory clip swap over and done, so far it looks fantastic in terms of fit and finish, the edge is exceptionally well done, after a quick peek with my loupe & a quick stropping I'm thinking this is one of the best out-of-the-box edge I've ever received from Golden, for sure in the top 10. I'm gonna kick the tires a bit and post some thoughts later this evening or in the AM. Here's an updated family photo taken just moments ago... :) :D



Cheers,

John

[vivi]

Vivi, that looks great! Of you left it in a little longer, would the scales have turned out darker? I've never used RIT dye, not sure how that all works!

It might have gotten a bit darker with time. I pulled it when it seemed to get as dark as it would. Hadn't changed the last 10-15 minutes.

They soaked for about an hour. dark green dye, 2.5 cups of hot water, 1/2 cup vinegar, tbsp liquid soap. Brought the water to a boil, then reduced heat to low and added everything else.

This is probably the best picture I've taken in terms of capturing how the shade looks in person:

[vivi]

Great post Vivi!! I just got into mine an hour or so ago & got the obligatory clip swap over and done, so far it looks fantastic in terms of fit and finish, the edge is exceptionally well done, after a quick peek with my loupe & a quick stropping I'm thinking this is one of the best out-of-the-box edge I've ever received from Golden, for sure in the top 10. I'm gonna kick the tires a bit and post some thoughts later this evening or in the AM. Here's an updated family photo taken just moments ago... :) :D



Cheers,

John

Nice group! I plan to pick up the S90V version at some point.

[TkoK83Spy]

Awesome! That's a great shot there, nice and close up. Thanks. Interested in your thoughts on the contouring after a few days of use as well. If you notice any difference from the stock scales finish or not.

[Nuh Nups]

Looks great, Vivi. I figured the green would look good but that looks even better than what I had pictured.

[Brock O Lee]

Nice work Vivi! I like that green a lot more than the jade!

[Burton Knut]

Opened mine this morning and as said above the backspacer is a bit recessed but not enough to bother me on a user. Both of mine were a little off center toward the show side but barely. One is in my pocket now and will get a Lynch clip this evening. The other will go with my other backups in the safe. This isn’t my first M4 but it’ll be the first knife in M4 that I carry regularly.

[TkoK83Spy]

After using mine A LOT at work today, I decided to take it to the brown rods just to get that bite back. Is it just me, or does anybody else think M4 has a different feel on the stones? I've noticed it with my Para 3 before as well, M4 seems to bite and grab into the stone differently than other steels.

[vivi]

After using mine A LOT at work today, I decided to take it to the brown rods just to get that bite back. Is it just me, or does anybody else think M4 has a different feel on the stones? I've noticed it with my Para 3 before as well, M4 seems to bite and grab into the stone differently than other steels.

I'm not sure if its the steel chemistry or hardness, but I notice a difference sharpening different steels too.

I did a little whittling while out on a hike and I'm really happy with the factory geometry. Its one of the only PE knives I've bought that I felt no need to reprofile to a thinner edge angle. Same with the Rex45.

[dan31]

Missed the M4, waiting for the 4V from St. Nicks.

[prndltech]

After using mine A LOT at work today, I decided to take it to the brown rods just to get that bite back. Is it just me, or does anybody else think M4 has a different feel on the stones? I've noticed it with my Para 3 before as well, M4 seems to bite and grab into the stone differently than other steels.

I feel a difference with every steel I sharpen. sure, some I could probably group together as they feel similar but going from one to the next, each seems to have its own "feel on the stones"

[vivi]

I broke down a recycling bin worth of cardboard with mine today. Debating between using the brown or white rods to touch it up. Might try running a highly polished edge at 15dps until I get around to resetting the bevel to 200 grit.

[vivi]

I got a chance to look at the edge using a VHX digital microscope today. Very clean looking apex considering I cut a bunch of cardboard with it:

[TkoK83Spy]

Using just the browns on mine yesterday, after also cutting up quite a bit of cardboard and it was nice and sticky sharp again after about 10 passes on each side. You going with a high polish finish is definitely something different compared to the usual as of late. I suppose that could be fun until going back to a coarse grit. I'm pretty sure I'll never put a mirror polish on my edges, especially after discovering how great a coarse finish is with the warehouse type materials. Also, such a HUGE time saver.

[vivi]

Using just the browns on mine yesterday, after also cutting up quite a bit of cardboard and it was nice and sticky sharp again after about 10 passes on each side. You going with a high polish finish is definitely something different compared to the usual as of late. I suppose that could be fun until going back to a coarse grit. I'm pretty sure I'll never put a mirror polish on my edges, especially after discovering how great a coarse finish is with the warehouse type materials. Also, such a HUGE time saver.

My Rex45 came ground around 13-14dps, so I figure I could apply a 15dps polished microbevel pretty quickly to play around with a more polished edge for a bit.

I like experimenting with different edge types every once in a while. Still prefer the coarse edges overall. They cut much more aggressively than polished edges.