52100 Native Chief?

[jdw]

I know that Golden is at capacity limits in pushing knives through but I wonder if there is a chance that we will see a 52100 Chief? I know that a lot of people have their issues with it but it’s my favorite steel that Spyderco puts out and it’s the perfect platform for it. On the opposite end of the steel spectrum I wonder why we haven’t seen a regular production run in 110V?

[Naperville]

Sounds good to me too!

I hope to see runs in S110V, 52100, Magnacut, and 15V in PE at least. Of course I'm biased. I love the Native Chief. I think the Native Chief is the best self defense folder that Spyderco makes and it cannot hurt to get more of them produced and into people's hands.

[Albertaboyscott]

I'd buy one for sure

[Cl1ff]

I do think more 52100 would be cool.
Especially if accompanied by SpyderEdge and combo-edge variants. I’ve always thought those combo-edge 52100 variations of the Paramilitary 2 and Para 3 looked sweet, but the Chief is more my style.

I say that, but a 52100 Military 2 would also be quite nice!

I’m really looking forward to what is done with the LW Native Chief too.

[Evil D]

I've been using my 52100 Military for the last week for my "gonna carry a Military 1 until the Military 2 drops" marathon. It's a decent user steel. Today it got forced into some paint masking tape trimming which involved cutting the tape against a cinder block wall that fortunately has been painted so many times I'm basically just cutting against more paint but it has wrecked the edge at the tip. The beautiful thing is how easy this steel is to touch up and so far it just blunted instead of rolling or chipping.

[JonLeBlanc]

a 52100 variant of the Chief was literally the first thing I thought of when that knife was rolled out, would be perfect

[dan31]

I have been hoping the native 5and Chief would get 52100. You never know. Sal made it happen for the military family.

[p_atrick]

Would you want the CF and G10 scales? I always like them.

[Mushroom]

Would you want the CF and G10 scales? I always like them.

I also like their CF/G10 laminate scales but Spyderco used solid carbon fiber for the 52100 Military Model, PM2, and Para 3 scales.

[Doc Dan]

I would far and away rather have 14C28N than 52100. Same toughness, better edge retention, and it is stainless.

[dan31]

I have been hoping the native 5 and Chief would get 52100. You never know. Sal made it happen for the military family.

[capt.carl]

I would far and away rather have 14C28N than 52100. Same toughness, better edge retention, and it is stainless.

This or shawns treatment pf aebl would be great. Id like to get that angle down on an aebl native chief and see that slicing power

[Cl1ff]

14C28N and AEBL can definitely provide more optimal performance in a folding knife. More widespread use of those steels in Spyderco’s lineup would be excellent and I hope we see that.

However, I appreciate the 52100 sprints for what they already are. They are cool and still perform well. 52100 and other good non-stainless steels are relatively uncommon in pocket knives, and even less commonly offered with serrations, so they are unique. I think more of them would be sweet.

Maybe some 14C28N sprints could be done in a different kind of peel ply carbon fiber?

Of course, it would be nice if we could get both, but I would pick the 52100 sprints if forced to choose.

[wrdwrght]

In the Native Chief, I’d be glad to have 52100. I’m glad to have it in the Military Model (x2) and PM2.

I’d also be glad to have AEB-L. I hope the Mule project shows Spyderco what Cliff Stamp thought of it.

[JRinFL]

I’d be happy if more were made in 52100 steel, that way I could easily avoid spending money on knives.

Doc Dan is on a better track, IMO.

[Toucan]

Since AEB-L got a revamped heat treatment, I wonder if 52100 is being investigated for something similar. From what I understand they're very similar beyond the chromium content.

[Bolster]

As a 52100 virgin, somebody please explain to me the attraction. And it's gotta be more than "easy to sharpen." Is it the toughness y'all like?

[Doc Dan]

I would far and away rather have 14C28N than 52100. Same toughness, better edge retention, and it is stainless.

This or shawns treatment pf aebl would be great. Id like to get that angle down on an aebl native chief and see that slicing power

14C28N is just an improved AEB-L/13C26. It has better corrosion resistance while keeping the good qualities of AEB-L.

[Doc Dan]

As a 52100 virgin, somebody please explain to me the attraction. And it's gotta be more than "easy to sharpen." Is it the toughness y'all like?

I have no idea why people want this steel when 14c28n and 13C26 have the same toughness, but have better edge retention and are stainless. 14C is the improved 13C/AEB-L. I have knives in these and my preferred outdoor knives are in 14C28N. Very tough and not a rust magnet.

[jdw]

As a 52100 virgin, somebody please explain to me the attraction. And it's gotta be more than "easy to sharpen." Is it the toughness y'all like?

I enjoy the steel. From what Doc Dan has posted in the past, he lives in the tropics and I can see where corrosion resistance is more of a concern to him. I live in Oklahoma and stain resistance isn’t high on my priorities in a knife and I really enjoy watching a nice patina develop. As for performance, sure there is a list of “better” steels out there but I can easily get 52100 hair popping sharp, for ease of sharpening it has nice edge retention, and in my experience it is very tough. I maintain my 52100 Military with light oil and I have never had any actual corrosion issues. And as was pointed out earlier in this thread, it’s kind of unique steel for a folder. Add Spyderco’s dialed in HT and you have a very well rounded knife for me.