My second SLIPIT™ Lil' Native

[Palestrina]

EDIT: Below in this thread I've complained about the blade shape, this has nothing to do with the quality of this knife, it wwas a mistake on my side - I've interpreted the slightly different blade shapes as a defect on the manufacturers side, which it is not. The knife performs perfectly fine.


Hello once again!

With more restricting knife laws looming on the horizon in my country I have convinced myself to be prepared for the day they come to effect.

So, after being on my wishlist for a least half a year, I've ordered the Lil' Native SLIPIT™. My first Spyderco, roughly a year ago, has been the Lil' Native Mid Back Lock - and it was the knife that got me into Spyderco and laid the foundation for my collection of, well, I would say modern folders, but it's basically just a Spyderco collection.

I love the looks and ergonomics of the Lil' Native, so I basically knew what I was getting into, though there are still some interesting aspects to the SLIPIT™ model which kind of surprised me.

Spyderco and Lynch, like bread and butter.


A rattling sound when the knife is opened:

If opened, there comes a rattling sound from the spine when swaying side to side. I think I've read about this somewhere, and my specific model seems to be an older one, as there seems to be a visible pin missing on mine. Comparing older and newer pictures the design seems to have been changed here. The rattling disappears completely when the knife is closed. Does anbody here have further information on this issue (if one might even call it an issue)? I really enjoy the cleaner look without the extra visible pin below the spine, so if it's not about structural strength I'm fine with it as it is.

I love the Mid Back Lock, but one has to admit that the SLIPIT™ looks much slicker and cleaner.


The strength of the spring:

Maybe this is specific to mine and the screws have been tightened more than usual in the factory - but this does not feel like a typical Slipjoint, it feels like it's locked. I can disengage the backspring, but the knife does not snap to the closed position up until I manually push it at leas two thirds of the way. I thought about loosening up the screws a bit, but somehow I like it this way, it felt really secure during my testing (cardboard, a lot of cadboard). I guess it will break in a bit anyways.

I cant't put my finger on it, but the blade shape is not exactly the same. Less belly on the SLIPIT™?


What else is there to say? I love the ergonomics of this design, and I might call it the most beautiful Spyderco I own. Maybe it's just me, but it seems like it is a bit underappreciated here on this Forum. Compared to the Chaparral, the Urban and maybe even the Delica it feels like a small tank in my pocket, and there are better slicers out there, for sure. But these drawbacks are also quite appealing to me, as the broad scales allow me to really get a nice and tight grip on the handle, the thick spine on the blade inspires confidence, I mean - this little knife really punches well above it's weight.

Quite a lot of words for a message that could be condensed to something like "I have bought a knife, which I knew I loved in the first place, only this time without a locking mechanism."

Can't beat a completely enclosed spine, have a look:

Cheers!

[Fastidiotus]

Excellent write up, thanks for taking the time to post this review! I've been thinking long and hard for quite a while about pulling the trigger on one of these.

I'm generally a slipjoint hater. I don't enjoy using traditional slipjoints at all as my intelligence and negligence are perfectly intersected for a near 100% cut rate. However Spyderco slipjoints were a revelation for me. When the design is idiot proofed for my level of dumb I actually really enjoy slipjoints. I also really enjoy the Lil Native comp lock as a tank of a knife that can fit into even the littlest 5th pants pocket. I think I'm going to have to get over my disdain of the fact that they chose to put the spoon clip on the lock back and slipit and give this model a chance.

[Palestrina]

I'm generally a slipjoint hater. I don't enjoy using traditional slipjoints at all as my intelligence and negligence are perfectly intersected for a near 100% cut rate. However Spyderco slipjoints were a revelation for me. When the design is idiot proofed for my level of dumb I actually really enjoy slipjoints. I also really enjoy the Lil Native comp lock as a tank of a knife that can fit into even the littlest 5th pants pocket. I think I'm going to have to get over my disdain of the fact that they chose to put the spoon clip on the lock back and slipit and give this model a chance.

As far as slipjoint safety goes Spyderco seems to be the best option. On the Urban as well as on the Lil' Native I have yet to find a way to get it to nap on me. If you hold the knife as intended, with one finger in the forward choil it is highly unlikely. Neither the Urban nor the Lil' Native tend to snap closed, as stated above the Lil' Native only snaps closed on the last quarter of an inch of the way - it behaves more like a friction folder, no snappy surprises here. If I put pressure und the spine of the blade at the height of the hole my index finger in the choil provides enough counter pressure to basically eliminate the risk of breaking the "lock".

I enjoy it.

This might be nit-picking here, but I just checked again and the blade on the SLIPIT is ground differently. It has a little less belly, which gives it an overall slightly uneven appearance.

[elena86]

Waiting for the LW Lil’Native. I own the backlock LilNative and the blade stock in the G10 ones is way too thick hence the thickness bte. My go to non-locking pocket folder for city carry is the wonderful K390 Urban which is arguably the king of the lil slipits. But, to each his own so enjoy yours.

[Palestrina]

Waiting for the LW Lil’Native. I own the backlock LilNative and the blade stock in the G10 ones is way too thick hence the thickness bte. My go to non-locking pocket folder for city carry is the wonderful K390 Urban which is arguably the king of the lil slipits. But, to each his own so enjoy yours.

I'm looking forward to the LW as well, but we are now getting new knife laws, and at the moment it seems like slipjoints will be the only knives remaining legal.

My best Spyderco slicer is the Chaparral, for sure. But if I'm not going for fine cuts im really happy with the Lil' Native as well.

Though, the issue with this misshaped blade makes me consider a refund on this specific knife, I'm not sure.

[KeepCalm&Carrion]

Thank you for putting this post together. The Lil' Native is probably the only non-locking knife I'd consider, and your pictures and general impressions did nothing but reinforce that.

Regarding the spoon clip, I believe you can get aftermarket scales that accept Spyderco's wire clip. Of course that means added cost, but it might be something to consider if this knife ends up being your one-and-only (or one of a select few).

This might be nit-picking here, but I just checked again and the blade on the SLIPIT is ground differently. It has a little less belly, which gives it an overall slightly uneven appearance.

I could be wrong, but I seem to remember the Chaparral slipjoint's blade shape being slightly different from the lockback Chaparral's. Perhaps the Lil' Native slipjoint blade is just ground differently than it's lockback counterpart, too?

[Palestrina]

I could be wrong, but I seem to remember the Chaparral slipjoint's blade shape being slightly different from the lockback Chaparral's. Perhaps the Lil' Native slipjoint blade is just ground differently than it's lockback counterpart, too?

I'm not quite sure, mine really looks different compared to every official picture of the knife. If you look at the pictures above it's quite evident there's something off here. It looks like somenone without much experience sharpened away the belly. This is my 11th Spyderco, all the others are perfect, so I'm not picking on the company, but I've paid 220 dollars for this knife here in Europe, so it's a bit of a let-down, especially since I really like the knife.

[Palestrina]

Hello once again!

With more restricting knife laws looming on the horizon in my country I have convinced myself to be prepared for the day they come to effect.

So, after being on my wishlist for a least half a year, I've ordered the Lil' Native SLIPIT™. My first Spyderco, roughly a year ago, has been the Lil' Native Mid Back Lock - and it was the knife that got me into Spyderco and laid the foundation for my collection of, well, I would say modern folders, but it's basically just a Spyderco collection.

I love the looks and ergonomics of the Lil' Native, so I basically knew what I was getting into, though there are still some interesting aspects to the SLIPIT™ model which kind of surprised me.


20250226_180811.jpg
Spyderco and Lynch, like bread and butter.


A rattling sound when the knife is opened:

If opened, there comes a rattling sound from the spine when swaying side to side. I think I've read about this somewhere, and my specific model seems to be an older one, as there seems to be a visible pin missing on mine. Comparing older and newer pictures the design seems to have been changed here. The rattling disappears completely when the knife is closed. Does anbody here have further information on this issue (if one might even call it an issue)? I really enjoy the cleaner look without the extra visible pin below the spine, so if it's not about structural strength I'm fine with it as it is.


20250226_180042.jpg
I love the Mid Back Lock, but one has to admit that the SLIPIT™ looks much slicker and cleaner.


The strength of the spring:

Maybe this is specific to mine and the screws have been tightened more than usual in the factory - but this does not feel like a typical Slipjoint, it feels like it's locked. I can disengage the backspring, but the knife does not snap to the closed position up until I manually push it at leas two thirds of the way. I thought about loosening up the screws a bit, but somehow I like it this way, it felt really secure during my testing (cardboard, a lot of cadboard). I guess it will break in a bit anyways.


20250226_180457.jpg
I cant't put my finger on it, but the blade shape is not exactly the same. Less belly on the SLIPIT™?


What else is there to say? I love the ergonomics of this design, and I might call it the most beautiful Spyderco I own. Maybe it's just me, but it seems like it is a bit underappreciated here on this Forum. Compared to the Chaparral, the Urban and maybe even the Delica it feels like a small tank in my pocket, and there are better slicers out there, for sure. But these drawbacks are also quite appealing to me, as the broad scales allow me to really get a nice and tight grip on the handle, the thick spine on the blade inspires confidence, I mean - this little knife really punches well above it's weight.

Quite a lot of words for a message that could be condensed to something like "I have bought a knife, which I knew I loved in the first place, only this time without a locking mechanism."

Can't beat a completely enclosed spine, have a look:


20250226_180143.jpg


Cheers!

[SpeedHoles]

I think I'm failing to see the "messed up blade?" part of your thread title?..?

[Palestrina]

I think I'm failing to see the "messed up blade?" part of your thread title?..?

It's a bit of a bad phrasing from my side, I'm not a native speaker. It's just that the blade on the SLIPIT is missing roughly 0,04 inches of height in the "belly" area and is not a nicely shape as the back lock model. In fact the SLIPIT does not seem to have the typical belly and the blade starts a continuous upwards from the heel to the tip. I really like the knife and it's my 11th Spyderco, and all the others are close to perfect. I have two K390 Delicas and I could not thell them apart with a microscope, they are identical, so the difference here is even more obvious to me.

It's stupid and maybe I'm overreacting, but at 220 dollars (price here in Europe) I was just wondering.

[SpeedHoles]

I think I'm failing to see the "messed up blade?" part of your thread title?..?

It's a bit of a bad phrasing from my side, I'm not a native speaker. It's just that the blade on the SLIPIT is missing roughly 0,04 inches of height in the "belly" area and is not a nicely shape as the back lock model. In fact the SLIPIT does not seem to have the typical belly and the blade starts a continuous upwards from the heel to the tip. I really like the knife and it's my 11th Spyderco, and all the others are close to perfect. I have two K390 Delicas and I could not thell them apart with a microscope, they are identical, so the difference here is even more obvious to me.

It's stupid and maybe I'm overreacting, but at 220 dollars (price here in Europe) I was just wondering.

20250228_144756.jpg
20250226_180457.jpg

No your English is excellent, no issue there.

Are you hoping the knife is more dagger-like and symmetrical between the edge and the spine? Other than that, I don't see any sort of problem nor gripe with that blade?
I don't see how you'd perceive to be shorted your $220 for one of those over the other...? Unless maybe the blade was warped or far off center, maybe with really uneven grinds or something.

They are in fact different knives, despite sharing a model name, but they would be ground differently among different production runs since they don't share the same locking design, handle, etc.

[KeepCalm&Carrion]

It's stupid and maybe I'm overreacting, but at 220 dollars (price here in Europe) I was just wondering.

I don't think either of those are true. But I do still think my initial guess is likely accurate (my guess being that the Lil' Native Slipit's blade shape is ever-so-slightly different than that of it's locking counterparts, and there's nothing wrong with your example).

I could easily be wrong on this, of course. That just seems to be the most likely conclusion as far as I can tell.

[Palestrina]

Are you hoping the knife is more dagger-like and symmetrical between the edge and the spine?

That's what I was expecting, yes. As it is cbasically perfect on the back lock model.

Other than that, I don't see any sort of problem nor gripe with that blade?

There are no other issues, everything else on this knife is exactly as I hoped for.

I don't see how you'd perceive to be shorted your $220 for one of those over the other...? Unless maybe the blade was warped or far off center, maybe with really uneven grinds or something.

Maybe I'm a bit spoiled by my Seki Delicas, all seven of them are perfect, and the blade shape is consistent through different steels.

They are in fact different knives, despite sharing a model name, but they would be ground differently among different production runs since they don't share the same locking design, handle, etc.

If it is as intended from the factory I'm fine with it, it just looks a bit off to me. I don't know.

[SpeedHoles]

Maybe I'm a bit spoiled by my Seki Delicas, all seven of them are perfect, and the blade shape is consistent through different steels.

They are in fact different knives, despite sharing a model name, but they would be ground differently among different production runs since they don't share the same locking design, handle, etc.

If it is as intended from the factory I'm fine with it, it just looks a bit off to me. I don't know.


20250301_212054.jpg

But all of the Delicas you have are the same model, I would assume they shared the same tooling and process.

The Slip-it vs Lockback vs Comp lock Lil Natives would all have different tooling that could potentially result in minor differences and variation in the end product knife.

The description of a typical leaf blade from Spyderco doesn't necessarily mean an exactly symmetrical spine-to-edge shape like a dagger, so your expectation there is something you've possibly imagined in your head.

[Palestrina]

Maybe I'm a bit spoiled by my Seki Delicas, all seven of them are perfect, and the blade shape is consistent through different steels.

They are in fact different knives, despite sharing a model name, but they would be ground differently among different production runs since they don't share the same locking design, handle, etc.

If it is as intended from the factory I'm fine with it, it just looks a bit off to me. I don't know.


20250301_212054.jpg

But all of the Delicas you have are the same model, I would assume they shared the same tooling and process.

The Slip-it vs Lockback vs Comp lock Lil Natives would all have different tooling that could potentially result in minor differences and variation in the end product knife.

The description of a typical leaf blade from Spyderco doesn't necessarily mean an exactly symmetrical spine-to-edge shape like a dagger, so your expectation there is something you've possibly imagined in your head.

It just looks different on the pictures online, but I guess you are right, and now I feel stupid

[SpeedHoles]

Maybe I'm a bit spoiled by my Seki Delicas, all seven of them are perfect, and the blade shape is consistent through different steels.

They are in fact different knives, despite sharing a model name, but they would be ground differently among different production runs since they don't share the same locking design, handle, etc.

If it is as intended from the factory I'm fine with it, it just looks a bit off to me. I don't know.


20250301_212054.jpg

But all of the Delicas you have are the same model, I would assume they shared the same tooling and process.

The Slip-it vs Lockback vs Comp lock Lil Natives would all have different tooling that could potentially result in minor differences and variation in the end product knife.

The description of a typical leaf blade from Spyderco doesn't necessarily mean an exactly symmetrical spine-to-edge shape like a dagger, so your expectation there is something you've possibly imagined in your head.

It just looks different on the pictures online, but I guess you are right, and now I feel stupid

No need to feel stupid over something like this. Some people just get bothered by things differently. If it's something that you really can't move your mind past for whatever reason then simply return it and move on to another model.
Or, use the knife and see if it actually does or does not create a functional detriment to your tasks, and if so, chalk it up to an experiential learning observation. That will help you refine your personal preferences with first-hand validation, often which is worth the money of the product alone. If you don't notice a tangible or quantifiable difference in use, then it'll help ease your mind in the future when certain visual observations come up.

[Palestrina]

No need to feel stupid over something like this. Some people just get bothered by things differently. If it's something that you really can't move your mind past for whatever reason then simply return it and move on to another model.
Or, use the knife and see if it actually does or does not create a functional detriment to your tasks, and if so, chalk it up to an experiential learning observation. That will help you refine your personal preferences with first-hand validation, often which is worth the money of the product alone. If you don't notice a tangible or quantifiable difference in use, then it'll help ease your mind in the future when certain visual observations come up.

I will keep it. You're probably right, the blade shape seems to differ slightly from model to model. I've found a picture - on Reddit of all places - with the exact same shape. My initial thought was just that I might received a messed up one.

It cuts as a Lil' Native should. I just realized I mostly use the forward half of the blade in most of my cutting anyways, so it does not impact the performance in my day to day use at all, and while testing it and playing around I remembered why I enjoy this design so much, it just feels great in my hand.

Now I feel bad for turning this thread into an unnecessary rant about a knife I highly enjoy.

[Palestrina]

I've changed the title and added a rebuttal to my own useless rambling.

The knife works exactly as I expected it to be, everything is fine.

And the sound and feel when snapping the knife closed is by far the best I've ever heard on a slipjoint. It's so satisfying I might fall into the trap thinking about "fidget factors".