Native chief with compression lock?

[Fireman]

Anyone else think this is a good idea? The longer blade seems like a good fit for that lock.

[Ramonade]

I guess my new appreciation for this lock is for something in my answer. But yeah, I could see a similar model usibg the comp lock. Maybe a new design, but with the same dimensions, both in length and height?

[Wandering_About]

Meh. I love the Native series back locks. And I say this as a fan of compression locks. I like the idea of keeping some good solid back lock knives in the lineup, and the Natives fit the bill nicely.

I do feel like the Chief kind of stands with the Military in not needing to be changed.

[Ramonade]

That's why a similar model would be more welcomed by us Native addicts

[TkoK83Spy]

I also like the back lock. I think with a compression lock, you don't have as much real estate on the fairly narrow handle of the knife when disengaging the lock. I think the back lock was the perfect choice for this model.

[JSumm]

I am getting Kapara feels from a Chief with a compression lock. Thin handles may not be the best option for compression locks. If the Chief is anything like the Native 5, I imagine it is one of best back locks on the market.

[Takuan]

I would certainly be interested in a compression lock version. I own three Native 5’s (lined G10 S110V, lightweight S110V, and Salt variations). The Native has the best designed and executed back-lock of any knife I’ve ever used, but when I bought my L’il Native, I went with the compression lock, partly because I prefer the lock and partly because I love the deep-carry wire clip.

The only reason I haven’t bought a Native Chief yet is because of the blade length. Missouri lets you conceal “ordinary pocketknives,” which are folders with no blade longer than 4 inches. Larger folders and fixed blades are governed by the same weapons laws as guns, so there are quite a few “off limits” places (e.g., the college where I work). Since the Native Chief blade is 4.08 inches long, it’s not legal for me to carry one everwhere. I doubt I’d appreciate the extra 0.08 inches of cutting edge enough to want to risk running afoul of the law. If the blade were 4 inches long, I’d buy one for sure.

[Buddafucco]

Excellent idea Fireman! A compression lock Native Chief sounds amazing! They did it to the lil' Native so the idea is not that far fetched. I love the blade and the size and the overall shape of the Chief, I just wish it was as quick and smooth to deploy and repocket as my compression lock knives. Some days, at work, I know I'm going to have a busy knife day. I usually won't carry a Chief on those days because it's arguably just not as quick and slightly more fiddly. Still a great knife though!
Too soon to put in a variant request for K390, 10v or PMA11?

[curlyhairedboy]

I like the chief as it is now, but I'd definitely try a comp lock version.

[Manixguy@1994]

Sounds interesting but very happy with the Chief as a lockback. MG2

[James Y]

For me personally, I probably wouldn't be interested in a comp lock version of the Chief. I suspect that a backlock, like the Golden backlock, will last longer overall than a comp lock, especially with a blade the size of the Chief's. Because the comp lock relies on a little detent ball for closed retention, and that ball surface may develop a flat spot over time with wear, and lose retention.

I realize that the Military has a large blade and is held closed by a ball detent in the locking liner, but that may be a little different from a comp lock.

Jim

[yablanowitz]

Hard pass from me. Any knife available with a comp lock and anything else, anything else gets my vote.

[sal]

The cost of new engineering and tooling for an existing model in not practical. Also, it would have to bump another new model out of queue. Also not practical.

sal

[Coastal]

The cost of new engineering and tooling for an existing model in not practical. Also, it would have to bump another new model out of queue. Also not practical.

sal

That sounds pretty definitive.

My 2 cents is that I probably would have bought a comp lock version to have that blade, if it had come out first. But now that I own the current version, I probably wouldn't. I just prefer almost anything to a comp lock. I understand the attraction; just not for me. A Chief Salt would get my attention!

[sal]

The original chief was designed 20 years ago. Eric pulled it out of the archives, tweaked it, the model was re engineered, tooled and put into production as a mid lock-back which was the original design.

sal

[JRinFL]

The mid-lock back is perfect for the Native Chief and it is in keeping with the Native family. The beautiful smooth back should not be marred by the gouge required by a comp lock.

Thanks Sal for the design and thanks to Eric for bringing it out of the archives and for staying true to the design.

[James Y]

Yes, the Native Chief design as it is, is (IMO), one of Spyderco's finest designs. And that says a lot, considering all of Spyderco's great designs. It's definitely become my favorite large folder.

Jim

[curlyhairedboy]

Aesthetically, it's probably the most attractive knife Spyderco currently makes. The lines draw the eye like the curves on a sports car.

[5-by-5]

The original chief was designed 20 years ago. Eric pulled it out of the archives, tweaked it, the model was re engineered, tooled and put into production as a mid lock-back which was the original design.

sal

Thank you Eric. We waited so long for the Chief.
I still hope for an OG swedge release.

No comp lock camp here.

[TkoK83Spy]

Aesthetically, it's probably the most attractive knife Spyderco currently makes. The lines draw the eye like the curves on a sports car.

Funny you say that, for me for some odd reason it gives me a stealthy, fighter jet vibes...even though it clearly doesn't have wings.