A few questions about the Native.

[Plumberboy]

Is the Native I the only one made with S30V?

Is the Native II only made with SS handles?

How does the Native I compare to the Native III? What I mean is it would seem that the S30V is better steel and would make the Native I a better knife. How does the wire clip on the Native III do compared to the regular clip on the Native I?

I like the Native and am considering one for a purchase. As it stands now I'm leaning toward a Native I (due to the S30V).

Thanks!

[spyderknut]

Welcome

Is the Native I the only one made with S30V?

There is also a 440 (I think) 1st generation available. Fit and finish are not usual :spyder: as handle manufacture was subcontracted.

Is the Native II only made with SS handles?

Yes

How does the Native I compare to the Native III?

Handle on III is more ergonomic. III has ribbed thumbramp instead of sharp notching on I. III has wire clip which I prefer. Native I is made in Golden CO.

What I mean is it would seem that the S30V is better steel and would make the Native I a better knife. How does the wire clip on the Native III do compared to the regular clip on the Native I?

VG10 is very good steel. Clip is preference.

I like the Native and am considering one for a purchase. As it stands now I'm leaning toward a Native I (due to the S30V).

I think the Native I is a tremendous bargain and you will love it. Go for it. That said, you would probably be as happy with the III in day to day use.

It's not so much which to get as which to get first. :D

[The Deacon]

Welcome to the forum Plumberboy.

Yes, the current FRN version of the C41 Native is the only Native that has ever been made in S30V. Prior to S30V it was offered in 440V, and prior to that in GIN-1. During the 440V era, a few special runs were made with G10 handles. There also is a "version" referred to as the BRK 1st Generation Native, which, while made of parts originally produced for Spyderco, was assembled by Camillus and marketed by Blue Ridge Knives. It used 440A, a considerably lower grade steel.

Yes, The Native II is the all stainless version of the C41 and only ever came in AUS-10 with stainless handles.

S30V and VG10 are both excellent steels. S30V probably has better edge retention properties, but "better" here is the difference between "really great" and "really, really great". C41 is slimmer, which makes it ride better in the pocket, and the handle is pretty comfortable. The C78 is a bit fatter, and thus more of a lump in the pocket, but the coutoured handle makes it very comfortable even after prolonged use. If I knew I was going to be breaking down boxes for the next eight hours, I'd grab my C78, otherwise, I'd stick to the C41.

Will leave the clip issue to others, as I never use one. Will only say that a fair number of people have strong opinions regarding wire clips, some think they're the greatest, others hate 'em.

[emann]

How is AUS-10? Where does it stand compared to VG-10 or S30V?

[Plumberboy]

Thanks for the replies. Much appreciated. A couple more questions: What is meant by "sharp notching" on the handle of the C41? Are they really that sharp? Do both natives have that fake edge on the top of the blade?

Thanks!

[talonturbo]

I've had both, and currently only own the 3. I gave my 1 to a good friend. Never had the 2, but I'm not big on SS handles, so it's never tempted me (and I'm totally done with aus series steels). I personally find S30V to be a better slicer, but VG-10 can take more abuse. I have the native as a beater knife (working on car, etc) so I kept the VG-10 version. I like both style clips, so not an issue for me. The "sharp" thumb ramp notches on the 3 are a good thing. Not too sharp. In terms of the handle, I really liked the 1, but the 3 is even better. hard to go wrong with either, but the 3 goes for less dough, and I *slightly* prefer (mostly because of the 3d handle) , so I'd say get the 3, but either way, a great bang for buck series of knives.

[talonturbo]

Almost forgot, yes, they both have unsharpened swedges, but the 3 goes the length of the blade while the 1 only goes halfway. Somehow I find that makes the blade of the 3 look better than the 1.

[charlie]

yES to your questions. I have all 3 models and the Native I with S30V steel is my favorite and is one of my choices for EDC. S30V is my favorite steel because it holds the edge the longest. my edge type choica is the combo edge because it handles all my cutting chores, :)
:spyder: Collector #047

[Plumberboy]

Well, again thanks for the replies. I'm still leaning toward the Native I.

I'll let you know what I get :)

[The Deacon]

Thanks for the replies. Much appreciated. A couple more questions: What is meant by "sharp notching" on the handle of the C41? Are they really that sharp? Do both natives have that fake edge on the top of the blade?

Thanks!

Perhaps easier to show than describe. What Spydernut is referring to is that the C41 has traction grooves with angular edges cut into the spine, while the C78 spine has raised "traction bumps" with rounded edges.

[CENTER][/CENTER]

[dialex]

How is AUS-10? Where does it stand compared to VG-10 or S30V?

AUS-10 is a great steel. You can hardly believe it belongs to the AUS familly. It is not VG-10 or S30V, but it is comparable.

Hey Paul, nice bunch of Natives you got there. :) You need only the G-10(s) and the FRN model without swedge to have all the gang

[spyderknut]

I would bet Paul has a G10 Native though I don't (yet).

Dialex, there is a swedgeless Native? I'd not even heard of that. Pictures anyone?

[DaddyBarlow]

Here's a few G10's & few extras: :rolleyes:

[url=<a href="http://img153.echo.cx/my.php?image=00009729ji.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img153.echo.cx/img153/4715/00009729ji.th.jpg" border="0" /></a>]<a href="http://img153.echo.cx/my.php?image=00009729ji.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img153.echo.cx/img153/4715/00009729ji.th.jpg" border="0" /></a>[/url]

<a href="http://img219.echo.cx/my.php?image=00009712fo.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img219.echo.cx/img219/4056/00009712fo.th.jpg" border="0" /></

[Jimd]

I have the Native 1 in 440V and S30V. Both are awesome steels. I just cut up a lot of plastic from around our swimming pool the other day. Pulled it out of the ground, cut it up, treated the knife brutally. It was my 440V Native, and after all that cutting, I couldn't even tell I'd cut anything because the edge was still scary sharp.

Whatever steel Spyderco is using, you can bet that it's excellent quality, so the steel really isn't even an issue for me. Most of the time, if it didn't have the steel number stamped into the blade, few of us would even be able to tell the difference.

The Natives are great knives, regardless of which model or steel is chosen. The BRK Natives are inferior in quality, though.

[The Deacon]

[quote="dialex"]Hey Paul, nice bunch of Natives you got there. :) You need only the G-10(s) and the FRN model without swedge to have all the gang ]Have most of the G10 ones, all except the serrated blue. :o
But you've had me wondering all day if a Native variant got by me completely, FRN model without swedge???? This I've got to see Alex! Or did you mean without Boye dent? 'Cause I have one of those in GIN-1 (thanks Chad). :D Plus the BRK, which is also un-dented. :D

[dialex]

I think there is a pic with the swedgeless Native in "The Spyderco Story". A (very) early model. And without the Boye dent too.
Edited to add:
Just checked the book when I arrived at home. It's at page 248 :)

[The Deacon]

I think there is a pic with the swedgeless Native in "The Spyderco Story". A (very) early model. And without the Boye dent too.
Edited to add:
Just checked the book when I arrived at home. It's at page 248 :)

Found it Alex! IMHO the Native looks better that way, but then I'm not a big fan of swedge grinds. Would be nice if someone from Spyderco could clear up whether that advertisment showed a very early prototype for the Native, or an "artists conception".