EDC recommendation: Native 5 LW – S30V or SPY27?

[Erich]

S30v. More carbide and vanadium.

[kobold]

Spy27 is so easy to sharpen, you don't even have to sharpen it.. Just strop.

[Notsurewhy]

Great choice. The native 5 lw is probably my most carried Spyderco. I've not used spy27 yet(I'm waiting on the chief lw to release in spy), but by all accounts it is similar in use than s30v but has better sharpening response, so I'd go with that. Nothing wrong with s30v though.

If you like enjoy your native, you can also check out the native chief or Lil native if you are looking for similar ergos in a larger or smaller knife. Both have lightweight versions that will be released soon.

[Sharp24/7]

I don’t have any Spy27, but I’ll second the others who’ve mentioned MagnaCut. It’ll sharpen easier than S30V, especially when it comes to deburring. That’s the hardest part, for me at least, but assuming your technique is correct, MagnaCut deburrs like a dream. The Sharpmaker will work for all three, but the aftermarket CBN or diamond rods are a good idea in case of any accidental edge damage.

[SaltyCaribbeanDfly]

Welcome to Spydieville Skydog…lots of great suggestions so all I’ll say is go with your gut, you can’t go wrong with the Native 5 lw in s30v/Spy 27/lc200n or magnacut…get the Sharpmaker too as it’s so simple and efficient

[mikey177]

Suddenly I am wondering why there is no Native 5 LW in CTS-BD1N.

The Manix 2, Para 3 and Native Chief lightweights have this variant, but not the Native 5.

[Jesla]

My two daily carry’s, para3 lightweight in SPY27 left side and a native 5 in s110v right side. SPY27 is a great steel for everyday carry, gets sharp and stays sharp. I have never cared for s30v much, but spy27 is about as good as it gets, for beginner EDC’ers… you don’t need a sharpmaker just get a good med. grit flat stone about 3” x 8”. SPY27 is a great steel for learning to hand sharpen a knife, in my opinion.

I’ve been making and sharpening knives for 50yrs. My favorite steel is s110v which some find difficult to sharpen, but I find it no different than any other steel to sharpen. I’ll take s110v over magnacut all day long. I carry a pry bar so I use knives for cutting only.

[Manixguy@1994]

I would go with the SPY27 and invest in a Sharpmaker . Great steel and base if you want to branch out into other steels in the Native . MG2

[Skydog]

Welcome aboard, feel like this is carried over from Glocktalk? Lots of super nice, very knowledgeable guys here! Man you’re getting ready to jump down a rabbit hole there’s no coming back from!

If this is the guy from Glocktalk, I still stand by my recommendation, a VG-10 LeafJumper and a Sharpmaker, but a Native will definitely work!

Yes, this is the guy from Glocktalk. And I have definitely jumped - or maybe fallen - down the Spyderco rabbit hole.

I did look at the LeafJumper, but it's a bit large for what I'm looking for at this time. I'd like to keep it around 7" overall length.

[sal]

Hey Benben,

Check out Shadow Systems. A US company founded in 2016 making firearms in the US going after the Glock Market. I've got their CR920.

Sorry for the off topic.

sal

[zhyla]

Why do you prefer the Chaparral?

I had initially narrowed my list down to these 4: Delica, Native, Sage and Chaparral. From there I narrowed it down to the Native. But I'm open to having my mind changed.

The Chap has a much thinner blade. It’s about as slicey a knife as Spyderco makes.

The Native 5 LW handle is basically all hot spot since they made the corners so sharp. It looks nice but does not feel in the hand for me.

[Holland]

Why do you prefer the Chaparral?

I had initially narrowed my list down to these 4: Delica, Native, Sage and Chaparral. From there I narrowed it down to the Native. But I'm open to having my mind changed.

The Chap has a much thinner blade. It’s about as slicey a knife as Spyderco makes.

The Native 5 LW handle is basically all hot spot since they made the corners so sharp. It looks nice but does not feel in the hand for me.

+1

and in general Taiwan made spyderco's have slightly better fit and finish than the US models from my experience.

I've had my chaparral 1 for almost 12 years now and its still going strong

[Matus]

Before you completely switch course - Chaparral is just a different knife than the N5 even if both were designed for general EDC carry. N5 has a more robust (thicker) blade, more hand-filling handle. Chap is more of a Gentleman's carry for me. Both are great. If you do not have a dedicated type of use in mind, just get whichever one you like better. If possible - find a shop and try them in person.

[benben]

Hey Benben,

Check out Shadow Systems. A US company founded in 2016 making firearms in the US going after the Glock Market. I've got their CR920.

Sorry for the off topic.

sal

Thanks Sal, I have a buddy who has a MR920 that I've shot many times, it's a great pistol, and quite the value when compared to something like Zev Technologies!

As far as apologizing for the off-topic, pretty sure you get a pass!

[Skydog]

Thank you for all the great feedback! I just placed an order for a Native 5 with SPY27 and a Sharpmaker.

[Wartstein]

Thank you for all the great feedback! I just placed an order for a Native 5 with SPY27 and a Shapemaker.

Not a bad choice.

Hope you´ll report back how you like them.

[benben]

Thank you for all the great feedback! I just placed an order for a Native 5 with SPY27 and a Shapemaker.

Not a bad choice.

Hope you´ll report back how you like them.

Ha, can't wait to hear which knife he's planning on next, cause you know it's gonna happen!

[Skydog]

Thank you for all the great feedback! I just placed an order for a Native 5 with SPY27 and a Shapemaker.

Not a bad choice.

Hope you´ll report back how you like them.

Ha, can't wait to hear which knife he's planning on next, cause you know it's gonna happen!

Ha, ha...already thinking about it...possibly a Paramilitary 2 to add a larger knife to the stable, and also so I can get
the full Spyderco experience (hump, compression lock, etc.). Or maybe a Chaparral to add a "gentleman's" knife. Who knows...might even be a LeafJumper. I'm open to suggestions...

[Wartstein]

Thank you for all the great feedback! I just placed an order for a Native 5 with SPY27 and a Shapemaker.

Not a bad choice.

Hope you´ll report back how you like them.

Ha, can't wait to hear which knife he's planning on next, cause you know it's gonna happen!

I know, you know, we all know, just he himself not yet...

[R100]

Thank you for all the great feedback! I just placed an order for a Native 5 with SPY27 and a Shapemaker.

Great choice. Not matter what others you end up with you will always be glad to have this one.

Dan