Measure of worth

[Doc Dan]

Years ago I bought a cat and 440 C. It’s one of the older ones that has jimping on the thumb ramp and choil. I bought it because I wanted to Spyderco travel with and did not want to spend a lot of money in case of loss. This knife turned out to be a very happy purchase. The fit and finish are absolutely superb. In fact when I bought my first chaparral I was so disappointed in the chaparral because my $36 cat was a better knife. Now if I want to know if one of my knife purchases was worth the money I just compare it to the Cat. If it measures up to the cat it was worth it and if it doesn’t I wasn’t worth it. This is true no matter what brand.

Recently I bought a golden made lil Native back lock. I am happy to say that it measures up. It’s just finally finished as my cat. In fact the blade has a better polish. It’s a very nice knife and better than some but I’ve seen that cost a lot more from other makers.The only thing is that the cat has jimping and the little native does not. Otherwise This is a very nicely finished knife.

Because of recent incidents I’ve not been able to put the knife through its paces but I normally would. I can comment on the fit and finish however. I can also say that it does sliced apples very nicely. It’s amazing to look at the spine and down the plunge grind and see how fast the blade tapers from the Thick spine to the thin edge. It is nicely done. The native five is not my favorite knife but this little native feel good in the hand. It also looks really good. If the blade were just slightly longer I can see it replacing the chaparral and the urban completely.

Anyway that is my visible visual measuring stick that I can objectively judge other knives by. And a little native passes with flying colors. I cannot comment on what other cats are like but only on this one and it is really good. It’s as nice as other taiChung folders I have And better than Japanese folders as a rule. So the little native is a really sweet knife.

[Bloke]

I cannot comment on what other cats are like but

[GiftedMisfit]

I usually do the same (kind of) but it's a comparison with the s110v pm2. I just purchased it about 2 weeks ago. It blew me away F&F wise. I had 3 other pm2s at the time and the blurple s110v stole the show. The blade finish is superb. The g10 is crisp. Not to say it's actually put together different or better, the attention to detail is on point. Compression lock out of the box was just butter. I haven't even use lube yet. I personally like the Golden spydies the most in every way.

[JonLeBlanc]

I can totally relate to the satisfaction in seeing the attention Spyderco pays to little details and fit and finish, and I have a number of pieces that are great examples (admittedly smallish collection). Regarding the two models you mention OP, I was not really familiar with the Cat, but it almost looks like a cross between a CalyJr/UKPK and a Lil' Native (albeit with a liner lock).

[GiftedMisfit]

The cats a pretty nice knife, I owned 1 for awhile. I bought 1 because the "Chicago" was a little tiny for my large-ish hand. After a while so was the cat, I just favored longer blades and a little more handle behind the choil. I said in a recent post that I had to purchase another Shaman and boom.. the fit and finish are outstanding. Tolerances are perfect. Another great example. Easily my favourite over the Kapara. Admittedly very different knives though.

[archangel]

I cannot comment on what other cats are like but

You Bloke me away!! :D I really appreciate your kind of humor! :)

[Tucson Tom]

The Cat is a nice little knife. I had one for a while, but gifted it to a friend. I replaced it as my "backpacking knife" with a Native 5 with S90V (forest green, but not for the reason you might think). But the Cat was a nice knife and didn't need to be replaced, I just wanted to see more of my knives getting regular use.

[Doc Dan]

I think this cat was made at a high time fir that factory. The specs have changed.

The whole point is that the Lil Native meets or exceeds all expectations. It is a great knife.

[SF Native]

I think this cat was made at a high time fir that factory. The specs have changed.

The whole point is that the Lil Native meets or exceeds all expectations. It is a great knife.

I guess ask and I shall receive. Was just saying in the other thread how I wanted doc or other urban user to give a review of the lil native. Thanks doc. Glad to hear you are impressed. Might have to pick one up. Compression or back lock...?

[wrdwrght]

I never went the Cat route, though I nearly did. The diverting DF2 served my small needs for quite a while.

Like his father, Eric has numerous masterpieces. The Lil’ Native is surely one. I have the mid-lock and wait impatiently for the slipjoint.

[Wartstein]

Doc, you mean something like what I was disussing in the thread I started some time ago "do you have a benchmark knife?" viewtopic.php?f=2&t=83232&p=1312507&hil ... e#p1312507

Though in that thread I probably was thinking more of knives one instinctively compares other knives to, and not really rational and deliberately..

[Doc Dan]

Doc, you mean something like what I was disussing in the thread I started some time ago "do you have a benchmark knife?" viewtopic.php?f=2&t=83232&p=1312507&hil ... e#p1312507

Though in that thread I probably was thinking more of knives one instinctively compares other knives to, and not really rational and deliberately..

Yes I use the cat as a benchmark to compare other knives to because it was so inexpensive and yet it was so good. I will probably now are use the little native or even more costly knives.

[Doc Dan]

I think this cat was made at a high time fir that factory. The specs have changed.

The whole point is that the Lil Native meets or exceeds all expectations. It is a great knife.

I guess ask and I shall receive. Was just saying in the other thread how I wanted doc or other urban user to give a review of the lil native. Thanks doc. Glad to hear you are impressed. Might have to pick one up. Compression or back lock...?

You’re welcome. This is the second time I’ve said something about the little native. As for the compression or backlock that’s up to you, but personally I prefer the back lock because of its greater strength, bias to close, and versatility. Also you don’t have that little tab hitting you in the finger every time you close the knife.

[ZrowsN1s]

Love my little Native. My first observation was I wished it had jimping on the spine, but I've gotten by without it.

[Doc Dan]

Love my little Native. My first observation was I wished it had jimping on the spine, but I've gotten by without it.

Yes it really needs jumping on the spine and choil. In fact on my choil there’s exactly 2 bars of jimping for some weird reason. It doesn’t detract from appearance and kind of makes it look a little more finished.

[redhawk44357]

I cannot comment on what other cats are like but

You Bloke me away!! :D I really appreciate your kind of humor! :)

What has that cat been smokin?

[Doc Dan]

I cannot comment on what other cats are like but

Hahahahaha! Bloke, you are a warped man. I love it!

[JD Spydo]

I cannot comment on what other cats are like but

BLOKE is that cat doing the Bossa Nova or the Lambata :eek: I bet most Tom Cats are envious for sure :rolleyes:

BLOKE where do you come up with all of this warped stuff?? and everyone here previously thought I had a strange mind :rolleyes: :D :D

Oh Brother this is the kind of stuff you see in a Psychiatric Journal :eek:

[elena86]

Unfortunately NOTHING can compare to my Slysz Bowie...yet :eek: The fit and finish and attention to details are just amazing :spyder:

[Doc Dan]

Unfortunately NOTHING can compare to my Slysz Bowie...yet :eek: The fit and finish and attention to details are just amazing :spyder:

Yes, very nice and more costly, as well.