New lake knife

[RugerNurse]

I know there are thread comparing some salt models. I’m torn between the pacific salt in H2, Native Chief, or Stretch XL salt. Any blade play in one vs the other or slicing capability. I would like something a bit larger for the lake and food prep.

[abbazaba]

Big fan of Magnacut. Big fan of Golden backlocks... Chief gets my vote. It also feels sturdier (less flex) than the Seki FRN for some reason. Also consider the Military2 Salt.

[Doc Dan]

The Pac Salt is proven. However, I might opt for LC200N. The Native Chief is really nice, but that tip seems a bit fragile.

[KeepCalm&Carrion]

If you're prioritizing slicing ability and the quality of the locking mechanism, I'd go with a plain edge Native Chief in Magnacut. If you want something with a stouter tip, then consider a plain edge Pacific in LC200N FFG.

Neither knife will excel at food prep, but I think they'd do well enough in a pinch, and more than that they'd each be excellent fishing companions.

[jmj3esq]

I'd try out the Spyderco Siren Salt in LC200N. They may be discontinued but can be found online. I have the S90V Sprint version and really like it for water related activities. It has a firm and stout blade with FFG. It would make a perfect boat knife.

[Jesla]

The Stretch 2 XL H2 SE has been my everyday carry, and has been for a long time. A 4” blade that carries like a 3”. It will likely take breakage or loss to get me to replace it.

[RugerNurse]

Big fan of Magnacut. Big fan of Golden backlocks... Chief gets my vote. It also feels sturdier (less flex) than the Seki FRN for some reason. Also consider the Military2 Salt.

Any blade play on these models? I don’t think I would do anything heavy, just want a slicer

[abbazaba]

Big fan of Magnacut. Big fan of Golden backlocks... Chief gets my vote. It also feels sturdier (less flex) than the Seki FRN for some reason. Also consider the Military2 Salt.

Any blade play on these models? I don’t think I would do anything heavy, just want a slicer

Not in my experience, and certainly less of a chance from Golden than Seki if that is your priority.

[Evil D]

I definitely lean towards the Chief, but I don't have a Stretch 2 so I can't really weigh in on that one but I'm sure I'd like it, there's just so many options and I've had to draw a line somewhere. I really avoid exposed tang designs with only a few exceptions so I wouldn't even consider a Pacific over either of the others. I'm sure it's a great knife, I'd just rather have a finger choil if I can't have the edge come all the way back to the handle.

As for the lock, I've had better luck with tighter lockup and less blade play with Golden back locks, but I wouldn't let this stop me from buying any Seki model.

[Coastal]

You should at least consider the Catcherman. It's a Salt, designed as a fishing knife, but it's excellent for food prep. I'd even say it's the best Spyderco folder for that task. Lightweight and slicey. I don't know if distributors are still carrying them, but they're available from resellers.

[Naperville]

I'd love to have a Spyderco Native Chief in a 4 and 5.25 inch blade with the new MagnaMax.

MAKE IT HAPPEN SAL!!!!!

[M_J87]

I’ve had all 3 models in the past. Only one I’ve kept is the S2XL, and it’s been my daily carry for over 2 years now. If you absolutely need the highest corrosion resistance in the “best” steel I’d lean toward the magnacut chief. However, if you don’t need maximum corrosion resistance and “good enough” corrosion resistance is sufficient I would actually suggest the vg-10 S2XL. Advantage over H-2 salt model would be the full flat grind and higher edge retention. As an avid outdoorsman I’ve cut up multiple fish, deer, duck, grouse and woodcock without any issue in the corrosion department, and it’s an easy steel to sharpen. It’s not a salt, but it’s ultimately the knife I’ve gotten the most enjoyment out of carrying in an outdoor environment (and indoor, haha). Switching to a salt version has been unnecessary in my use. Just my 2 cents.

[zhyla]

The Native Chief is really nice, but that tip seems a bit fragile.

This is the truth. The Chief is an oddball, suited for a combination of fairly light EDC use and stabbing bad guys. I don’t recommend, but that’s the usage I think it’s suited to.

I don’t really know what a “lake” knife is. There’s water so everyone’s brains jump immediately to rust proof steels. I think that’s handy but less important than making sure it doesn’t go in the drink. The latest MagnaCut sinks just as well as plain carbon steel.

For food prep you know what blows away every knife mentioned in this thread? Pretty much any kitchen knife. A cheap short chefs or santoku knife from the discount store is what you want at the bottom of your picnic basket. I do use a Bow River for this and it’s a good knife in a pinch, but has too much belly. Still, gets the job done.

[Fastidiotus]

Anything in BD1N and s110v would also be "salt" enough for a lake knife in my experience.

Zhylas right though, the Spyderco answer to this problem is the Z-Cut. Then bring whatever pocket knife you like.

[Manixguy@1994]

Siren in either variant or the M2 Salt would be my choice , but do have a soft spot for the Caribbean. The original Siren has a texture to help grip with wet hands , works great for me . As said if a fixed blade a Bow River would work , just give the sheath a good prep to deal with wet conditions.

[aicolainen]

I'm also not sure what a lake knife is, but it doesn't sound like something that requires a Salt-series model.

I do most of my close-to-water activities on or around inland bodies of water, and corrosion isn't a big concern for most grades of stainless.
The reason I still choose salt-series knives anyway is lightweight construction, i.e. liner less. The liners are my biggest concern with regards to corrosion, so removing them alleviates that issue, easier cleaning and maintenance with less places for moisture, dirt and residue to get caught and the knife is lighter to carry.

My use around freshwater is fishing, maybe some small game hunting, food prep, cutting cords, fishing line... all the usual stuff. And I prefer the blade shapes of the Stretch family for this type of use.
The Pac salt is more of a utilitarian work knife IMO, trading some of the finesse of the others for force transfer and tip strength.
The Chief is lacking too much in the belly department to be a good tool for animal processing, for me. If that's not your thing it's a surprisingly good performer for food prep. And actually has more edge contact on a cutting board compared to the Stretch'es and far more than the Pac salt.


I have all of the models you consider, though not in the specific materials / versions you have listed. I'd go with S2XL FFG VG10 for my interpretation of a "lake knife". I don't own it myself, so that's something to keep in mind, but only because I've been holding out for a FFG Salt - a version that I considered inevitable, but is taking a lot longer than I expected. I have no doubt the VG10 would be good enough though, but already having so many knives with similar features, I can afford the patience to wait for the optimal version.

[Evil D]

I thought the tip of the Chief was fragile until I compared it to a Military 2, they're nearly identical up until the shape of the spine changed and by that point you're past the point of it being thin enough to call it fragile. This seems especially true for the Military 2 which seems to be ground thinner than the Military 1. Maybe this just means the Military 2 has a fragile tip too?

[cjk]

I'd probably pick the Native Chief Salt in LC200N. I like how easy it is to sharpen and how sharp it gets quickly. I also prefer green to yellow. The Magnacut one is excellent too, maybe even more excellent.
The Native Chief also has the longest edge out of the listed options and is made in the USA.
If they're available, I might consider the Spyderco Waterway fixed blade instead.

[vivi]

I know there are thread comparing some salt models. I’m torn between the pacific salt in H2, Native Chief, or Stretch XL salt. Any blade play in one vs the other or slicing capability. I would like something a bit larger for the lake and food prep.

they all have vertical blade play. if its a lockback made by spyderco not named the chap, it has vertical play.

I like the pacific salt 1 the best out of the three. It feels a lot sturdier and more rugged being a one piece handle and saber ground blade.

The chief has nice ergos with the lack of thumb ramp, but my lightweight didn't impress me much at all.

stretch xl has nice ergonomics too, but for some reason I'd find myself reaching for my Pacific Salts over my stretch xl. maybe just habit.

pacific salt 2 review - viewtopic.php?t=87226

chief lightweight review - viewtopic.php?t=97196

stretch xl review - viewtopic.php?t=92147

One of the full flat ground models would have an advantage for food prep. The saber ground models feel better when opening and closing due to the weight of the blade.

Also, the catcherman would be a superior choice to all three for this role, I don't know why you didn't put it on your list.

viewtopic.php?t=96974

[vivi]

Big fan of Magnacut. Big fan of Golden backlocks... Chief gets my vote. It also feels sturdier (less flex) than the Seki FRN for some reason. Also consider the Military2 Salt.

Any blade play on these models? I don’t think I would do anything heavy, just want a slicer

yes. I've owned 12 g10 chiefs, an FRN chief, and have handled numerous others in both handle materials. they all have vertical blade play. some people look for it more closely than others but it's always there.