Salt 2 vs Native 5 Salt

[ladybug93]

Hate to answer twice in the same thread, but after consideration I have found something the Salt 2 can do that the N5 salt can't: be had with Wharncliffe blades.

I did a ghetto mock up with a utility blade stuck onto a Native and colored it up, I would buy one in a heartbeat but I'm not sure if the shape of the handle can accommodate a wharnie blade. The Lil Native seems to be shaped a little different in the handle.





I'm hoping this happens since the Lil Native got a wharnie version. If they make that in a MagnaCut Salt version it'll be my new box knife.

did you try closing it? the utility blade should fit in the handle next to the blade and you'd at least see if there's room for it. i doubt there is, but it would be interesting to see.

Yeah the tip hit the handle way before it was closed. The inside of this handle follows the curve of the blade pretty closely, that's why I'm not sure it can be done.

that's what i thought, but i don't have my native with me to look. maybe it would work with a g10 version like the lil native is.

[ladybug93]

Ended up grabbing the N5 just to compare...

First thing I notice is that it's much better for me ergonomically. The Salt now feels a little too small in my hands. I can get a more controlled grip closer to the blade due to that big 'ol choil. Haven't carried or cut yet, but the N5 definitely wins for ergos.

i purposefully didn't comment on ergos because they are so subjective, but i also find the native much better in hand. i will say the delica handle has been growing on me lately though. in my mind, the native fits my hand almost as well as the manix and could serve the role of a mini manix that people keep asking for, except it doesn't slice as nicely as the manix. for a smaller blade, i think i prefer it to be slicier, which is why i would prefer the delica between the two.

[Monty]

In a perfect world I'd take a native without a choil but I'll settle for the Salt 2 or even a dragonfly salt. Just don't like choils on anything bigger than a dragonfly. I think once the Endela makes it to a Salt variant it will be even less of a competition if you don't like the size of a Pac Salt. The Pac Salt 1 still blows all other backlock salts away for ergos. Haven't yet tried a Rockjumper but that might just be the way forward.

[vivi]

In a perfect world I'd take a native without a choil but I'll settle for the Salt 2 or even a dragonfly salt. I think once the Endela makes it to a Salt variant it will be even less of a competition, if you don't like the size of a Pac Salt. The Pac Salt 1 still blows all other backlock salts pocket knives away.

[Monty]

I worded that carefully because I exclusively carry salt series but the Caribbean is my favorite folder IF I have sturdy pants pockets, I don't trust them to stay closed IWB or in loose summer shorts.

[Bemo]

Ooooh you hit the nail on the head there David. I think I'd be done buying knives (yeah right). Excellent mock up.

[Wandering_About]

I'm a fan of the Native 5 platform, and with the Native 5 Salt available in MagnaCut it gets my personal vote. LC200N is fine stuff too, but I'm more of a MagnaCut fanboy.

[Surfingringo]

if you want robust, the native is great. if you want a slicer, the salt is noticeably better. the salt is also noticeably more comfortable carrying iwb. both are great knives, but very difference in use and carry.

Yeah, this is a pretty good summation IMO. I have used both extensively and like both. Right now I’ve been using the Native Salt everyday on the boat/kayak for a few months, mainly to test the Magnacut Steel. I like it, but if I had to choose just one folding knife for my fishing uses it would probably be the Salt 2…unless the Pacific Salt were in the running, then I would choose that…unless the Stretch XL Salt were in the running, then I would choose that…unless a Siren came out in frn….