The Native 5 has grown on me
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The Native 5 has grown on me
Hello all,
Not to make this too long winded of a post, but, I believe the Native 5 has grown on me, preferably the lightweight. No, it doesn't open fast like a Manix 2 or Para 2, but it is functional. It has a strong lock back design and good ergonomics ready to work. Plus I prefer the closed back design compared to an open/pillar stand off design as I believe it has better ergonomics. The palm of your hand doesn't get caught in between the two scales of the blade. The finger choil works well and the blade shape is just a great one. It is the definition of "function over form" as I believe is one of Spyderco's motto's.
Keep up the great work with this one!
Not to make this too long winded of a post, but, I believe the Native 5 has grown on me, preferably the lightweight. No, it doesn't open fast like a Manix 2 or Para 2, but it is functional. It has a strong lock back design and good ergonomics ready to work. Plus I prefer the closed back design compared to an open/pillar stand off design as I believe it has better ergonomics. The palm of your hand doesn't get caught in between the two scales of the blade. The finger choil works well and the blade shape is just a great one. It is the definition of "function over form" as I believe is one of Spyderco's motto's.
Keep up the great work with this one!
Re: The Native 5 has grown on me
The Native is the No1 in my book. My summer rotation is mostly the Natives (and the Chap for urban carry only a couple of times a week). Does everything I want, nothing I don't.


Military/PM2/P3 Native Chief/Native GB2 DF2 PITS Chaparral Tasman Salt 2 SE Caribbean SF SE SpydieChef Swayback Manix2 Sage 1 SSS S2XL G10
- WilliamMunny
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Re: The Native 5 has grown on me
Agree, I have a Native 5 LW Maxamet that while not flashy, just is the definition of a good classic knife.
I want to try a G10 version, 15V to be exact, buts some say it’s a bit “blocky”.
I want to try a G10 version, 15V to be exact, buts some say it’s a bit “blocky”.
Endura AUS-8, Manix 2 S30V, Manix 2 LW MagnaCut, BBB 15V Manix 2, BBB 15V Para 3 LW, Alcyone BD1N, PM2 Micarta Cruwear, Native 5 Maxamet (2nd), Para 3 Maxamet (2nd), Magnacut Mule, Z-Wear Mule, REC Para 3 10V Satin, Dragonfly Salt 2, GB2 M4, Pacific Salt SE H2, Dragon Fly SE H2, Endela K390 PE, Chaparral SE XHP, Shaman Micarta XHP, Bodacious SPY27, Manix 2 LW 15v, Sage 5 REX-121 LW.
Re: The Native 5 has grown on me

I want the S90V fluted carbon fiber Native 5 so bad I can hardly stand it, but I'd never use it...

- 8th_Note
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Re: The Native 5 has grown on me
Same here. I had a SPY27 LW, but I just wasn't feeling it, so I passed it along. Maybe I'll try a G10 version sometime if I find a deal on one.
S30V; S35VN; VG-10; BD1N; H1; SuperBlue/SUS410; 8Cr13MoV; Micro-Melt PD#1; REX-45; Cruwear; BD1; K390; Magnacut; HAP40/SUS410; 20CV; 15V; M4; SPY27; LC200N; S90V
Re: The Native 5 has grown on me
I have an old G-10 S35VN, built like a little tank, it’ll be one that will be with me till the end.
Been wanting to try a Green serrated LC200N Salt.
Been wanting to try a Green serrated LC200N Salt.
Re: The Native 5 has grown on me
I love the Native LW. Serrated LC200N is my main EDC for two years. Its light, compact, full stainless, strong lock, easy to disassemble, great ergo. I was worried about the infamous "blocky" handle, so I avoid it for years. Gave it a chance and it feels great on hand.
Last week I get the plain edge Magnacut version as well
This one is very Hard to get. Its long tíme "out of stock". Very nice thin grind, slice like crazy. Magnacut is my favourite steel right now. Easy to sharpen, corossion rezistent, good touhgness and very good edge holding.
Planing to get some other Native LW in the future
Great knife
Last week I get the plain edge Magnacut version as well
Planing to get some other Native LW in the future
- Fastidiotus
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Re: The Native 5 has grown on me
I contemplate buying a Native Salt SE everytime a sale comes up. Really enjoy my Native 5 LW in DLC s30v, don't know why I keep putting off buying one with teeth.
The Native 5 LW is a joy to use, but I never love it more than when I take it apart to clean it.
- Midnightrider
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Re: The Native 5 has grown on me
+1WilliamMunny wrote: ↑Mon Jun 09, 2025 3:38 pmAgree, I have a Native 5 LW Maxamet that while not flashy, just is the definition of a good classic knife.
That knife is just totally perfect for what it is. I don't use mine at all since I like to carry a large folder, but I take it out of the box sometimes just to handle it. There is something just right about all the dimensions, the way it handles. Sal just nailed that one.
I don't actually know if mine is the LW version but it is the Native 5 Maxamet Sprint Run if I recall. Grey scales.
Millies in 52100, S110V, CTS-204p, REX 45; M2 Cru-Wear, CPM15V, Magnacut; Native 5 Maxamet; P4 K390, PD#1; Pacific Salt SE/H1, PS2 LC200N; UK/PK; Autonomy H1
Wants/Wishes (only NIB and EU): Militarys in 52100, Maxamet, Cru-Wear
Yes, Virginia, that's a Purple Haze in my suit pocket :)
Wants/Wishes (only NIB and EU): Militarys in 52100, Maxamet, Cru-Wear
Yes, Virginia, that's a Purple Haze in my suit pocket :)
Re: The Native 5 has grown on me
I agree. Great blend of size and function.
Many great Spyderco‘s but N5 is in my book the favorite.
Would love to see a sprint run in red and green G10 (each color per side) and Micro Melt PD1.
- 8th_Note
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Re: The Native 5 has grown on me
I just bought an S35VN with full liners and G10 on ebay. It hasn't arrived yet. But I had been looking for one for awhile at a decent price. I'm looking forward to trying it out. I was not a fan of the LW Native 5. I generally prefer knives with a little more substance to them
S30V; S35VN; VG-10; BD1N; H1; SuperBlue/SUS410; 8Cr13MoV; Micro-Melt PD#1; REX-45; Cruwear; BD1; K390; Magnacut; HAP40/SUS410; 20CV; 15V; M4; SPY27; LC200N; S90V
Re: The Native 5 has grown on me
I tried the lightweight version and didn't like it. I took a chance and purchased a set of blemished AWT scales and they completely transform the knife. 10/10!
- Richard
Re: The Native 5 has grown on me
You're gonna love it! Ounce for ounce it has to be one of Spyderco's stoutest / strongest knives!8th_Note wrote: ↑Mon Jun 16, 2025 1:31 pmI just bought an S35VN with full liners and G10 on ebay. It hasn't arrived yet. But I had been looking for one for awhile at a decent price. I'm looking forward to trying it out. I was not a fan of the LW Native 5. I generally prefer knives with a little more substance to them
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Re: The Native 5 has grown on me
The Native 5 LW in S35VN was probably my second or third Spyderco and I still love the design, even though it has fallen out of my regular work knife rotation in recent years (it's been supplanted by the Lil' Temperance 3 LW in K390, which fits my hand just a bit better and comes in an excellent steel that is unfortunately unavailable in the regular Native 5 line-up). The Native 5 is just a solid working folder overall, and in terms of aesthetics, it's probably my favourite Spyderco folder, with its beautiful flowing lines. It's als a great "folding mule" platform for trying out many of the steels in Spyderco's production line-up, as there are currently regular production models in S30V, S90V, S110V, SPY27, Maxamet, MagnaCut, and LC200N, and an upcoming production model in Cru-Wear.
Re: The Native 5 has grown on me
S90v fluted CF is hands down one of my favourite. Every time I carry it I always think that if I had one spyderco to pick to be the one and only it would certainly be in the running.
Love to get my hands on a magnacut LW but hard to find in Canada.
Love to get my hands on a magnacut LW but hard to find in Canada.
- Manixguy@1994
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Re: The Native 5 has grown on me
I like the Native 5 but only have two lightweight models in SPY27 and S110V . Eventually the S90V CF and a Magnacut SE will probably happen . I like a smaller knife in right pocket for close up cuts and frees up my left for larger knives . MG2
MNOSD 0002 / Do more than is required of you . Patton
Nothing makes earth so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes.
Henry David Thoreau
Nothing makes earth so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes.
Henry David Thoreau
Re: The Native 5 has grown on me
Native 5 is a great working knife. Not as fun and sometimes I mis blade length, but practical to carry and great ergonomics.
Only the LW version for me makes sense.
I got the Maxamet with AWT scales and a Magnacut Salt SE. Considering a 15V LW.
Only the LW version for me makes sense.
I got the Maxamet with AWT scales and a Magnacut Salt SE. Considering a 15V LW.
Re: The Native 5 has grown on me
I like the Native 5, both lightweight and G10. I'm hoping to add a 15V variant to the group when it comes out.
Re: The Native 5 has grown on me
A friend of mine said something like, "the Native 5 is the best pocket knife for knifing" and I heartfully agree.
It's my favorite Spyderco model these days. Variants of the Native 5 probably make up a quarter of my knife collection.
The Native 5 is a masterclass on ergonomics. It's like it was made for my hand. I've never felt like I had to figure out how to hold it. It just works without any conscious thought on my part whatsoever. It's a masterpiece. Even the lightweight Native 5s are brilliantly designed. I don't think any Spyderco is easier to take apart and clean than the Native 5 lightweight.
It's my favorite Spyderco model these days. Variants of the Native 5 probably make up a quarter of my knife collection.
The Native 5 is a masterclass on ergonomics. It's like it was made for my hand. I've never felt like I had to figure out how to hold it. It just works without any conscious thought on my part whatsoever. It's a masterpiece. Even the lightweight Native 5s are brilliantly designed. I don't think any Spyderco is easier to take apart and clean than the Native 5 lightweight.