Anyone else hoping for more steels/colors in the Lil Native LW?

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awa54
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Anyone else hoping for more steels/colors in the Lil Native LW?

#1

Post by awa54 »

The LW version is a really excellent knife, but the stock BD1N is underwhelming by Spyderco standards.

Regular production in SPY27 and/or MagnaCut would probably cover all my "needs".

...though a few Sprints and exclusives wouldn't hurt my feelings either!
-David

still more knives than sharpening stones...
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Re: Anyone else hoping for more steels/colors in the Lil Native LW?

#2

Post by SchoonerBum »

I’m hoping we’ll see the full range of Golden-made salts!

I’d buy a Spy27 also though.
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Re: Anyone else hoping for more steels/colors in the Lil Native LW?

#3

Post by aicolainen »

Wouldn't mind a MC salt, or a tool steel wharncliffe
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Re: Anyone else hoping for more steels/colors in the Lil Native LW?

#4

Post by Mushroom »

It is inevitable that the Lil Native LW will get more variants.

Some things in Spyderco’s lineup are just guaranteed. This is one of them.
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Re: Anyone else hoping for more steels/colors in the Lil Native LW?

#5

Post by TkoK83Spy »

I just hope they can fix the sloppy lockbar issue that seems to be a problem with most. Doesn't effect the lockup, but it is a bit of an eye sore when looking at it. Other than that, the current version has been everything I was hoping it. Definitely looking forward to what other flavors are ahead!
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Re: Anyone else hoping for more steels/colors in the Lil Native LW?

#6

Post by mikey177 »

Spy27 and MagnaCut would be nice variants. Not too crazy about tool steels though because of our climate.
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Re: Anyone else hoping for more steels/colors in the Lil Native LW?

#7

Post by pinchyfisher »

I have a BD1N version and the design is a winner. I will be picking up at least one other copy in a different steel when released. I'd be happy with pretty much anything- LC200N, Magnacut, Spy-27, 15V, etc.
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Re: Anyone else hoping for more steels/colors in the Lil Native LW?

#8

Post by Fastidiotus »

I've hoped for s110v the minute it was announced as a model. The smaller the blade the more I like a high edge retention steel. S110v is basically a salt steel that only needs to be sharpened once a year, maybe twice if you're really getting after it. Given what a perfect compliment it is in the UKPK I think it would shine just as well in the LW.
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Re: Anyone else hoping for more steels/colors in the Lil Native LW?

#9

Post by benben »

Recently found the Lil’ Native I was really wanting, a discontinued serrated G-10 Back Lock, it’s a killer little ripper! Yeah I’d like a better steel (Cru-wear), but honestly this little knife couldn’t get any better! The weight of this one would never make me think I need a lightweight.
IMG_4294.jpeg
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Re: Anyone else hoping for more steels/colors in the Lil Native LW?

#10

Post by Wartstein »

benben wrote:
Sun Dec 28, 2025 12:55 pm
...The weight of this one would never make me think I need a lightweight.
IMG_4294.jpeg
I don't have either, but more than the lighter weight it is the thinner blade that makes the LW a lot more attractive to me personally - 2.5 mm is still really stout for such a short leaf blade anyway imo.
Top three going by pocket-time (update October 25):
- EDC: Endela SE (K390). Endela SE (VG10), Manix 2 LW (REX45)
- Mountains/outdoors: Pac.Salt 2 SE (LC200N), Salt 2 SE (LC200N), Pac.Salt 1 SE (H1)
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Re: Anyone else hoping for more steels/colors in the Lil Native LW?

#11

Post by awa54 »

Wartstein wrote:
Sun Dec 28, 2025 1:38 pm
benben wrote:
Sun Dec 28, 2025 12:55 pm
...The weight of this one would never make me think I need a lightweight.
IMG_4294.jpeg
I don't have either, but more than the lighter weight it is the thinner blade that makes the LW a lot more attractive to me personally - 2.5 mm is still really stout for such a short leaf blade anyway imo.
Same here, the thinner blade and back lock are the draws for me. The deeper carry of the wire clip is nice as well, and four way clip mounting is irrelevant for me, as I never find myself wanting tip down carry in such a small knife.

I have the KC CruWear/smooth G10 exclusive, the blade feels unnecessarily thick and the comp lock detent is too weak (has opened in my pocket twice now) ...I'll eventually disassemble it and chamfer the ball seat in the blade, to improve retention, but IMO the thinner blade stock and back lock are perfection in this design family.
-David

still more knives than sharpening stones...
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Re: Anyone else hoping for more steels/colors in the Lil Native LW?

#12

Post by awa54 »

I also far prefer the choil and spine serration/jimping on the LW over the smooth choil and spine of the G10 versions.
-David

still more knives than sharpening stones...
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Re: Anyone else hoping for more steels/colors in the Lil Native LW?

#13

Post by zhyla »

What’s wrong with BDN1? I have a couple knives in it, seems to work fine?

The color thing I get. Remember when everyone was buying Dragonflies in all the colors?
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Re: Anyone else hoping for more steels/colors in the Lil Native LW?

#14

Post by Wartstein »

awa54 wrote:
Sun Dec 28, 2025 3:36 pm
Wartstein wrote:
Sun Dec 28, 2025 1:38 pm
benben wrote:
Sun Dec 28, 2025 12:55 pm
Same here, the thinner blade and back lock are the draws for me. The deeper carry of the wire clip is nice as well, and four way clip mounting is irrelevant for me, as I never find myself wanting tip down carry in such a small knife.

I have the KC CruWear/smooth G10 exclusive, the blade feels unnecessarily thick and the comp lock detent is too weak (has opened in my pocket twice now) ...I'll eventually disassemble it and chamfer the ball seat in the blade, to improve retention, but IMO the thinner blade stock and back lock are perfection in this design family.
Yes, it´s kind of funny: While for what I am personally looking for the G10 Lil Native is probably one of the least desirable Spydercos on the list, the LW version is actually pretty intriguing:

The G10 Lil Native has a really fat blade stock for such a small knife and for the anyway stout leaf blade (3.2 mm... when the 2 mm of the longer Chap blade are already strong enough for all, even "hard" folder tasks I do), weighs more than a Delica and I just prefer FRN over G10.

While the Lil Native lightweight is just a bit "heavier" than a Dfly, has strong, but not too fat 2.5 mm blade stock and nice FRN handles and the nice wire clip.
I´d also assume it is a bit thinner overall (??) due to the thinner blade and thus matching lockbar..?

Generally though as long as there is a Chaparral FRN, this will always be my choice for a "tiny" folder... unless I wanted really light weight for whatever reason, then I´d go Lil Native LW (and not Dfly) - the platform looks to have really nice ergos for such a small folder (grip area as long as possible, no thumb ramp..)
Top three going by pocket-time (update October 25):
- EDC: Endela SE (K390). Endela SE (VG10), Manix 2 LW (REX45)
- Mountains/outdoors: Pac.Salt 2 SE (LC200N), Salt 2 SE (LC200N), Pac.Salt 1 SE (H1)
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Re: Anyone else hoping for more steels/colors in the Lil Native LW?

#15

Post by awa54 »

zhyla wrote:
Sun Dec 28, 2025 7:19 pm
What’s wrong with BDN1? I have a couple knives in it, seems to work fine?

The color thing I get. Remember when everyone was buying Dragonflies in all the colors?
There's nothing *wrong* with BD1N, VG-10, AUS 8, or 12C27 for that matter (if heat treated for a good balance of potential attributes), but Spyderco offers many steels that have better performance in the parameters that matter to me, so why wouldn't I want one of those instead? (I'll take above average toughness over above average corrosion resistance every time)

BD1N's balance of toughness to edge retention closely approximates 440A, which is a pretty old alloy and generally regarded as an "also ran" these days.
-David

still more knives than sharpening stones...
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sal
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Re: Anyone else hoping for more steels/colors in the Lil Native LW?

#16

Post by sal »

I know I'm biased, but Eric really hit it out of the park with this one. Now that we're tooled, we can meet all of your preferences in color or steel. Also an opportunity for exclusives which broaden the choices.

As Nick said, it's a given that when we invest in FRN tooling, the opportunities for variety at a lower cost are great.

sal
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Re: Anyone else hoping for more steels/colors in the Lil Native LW?

#17

Post by Infinite Zero »

sal wrote:
Mon Dec 29, 2025 11:20 pm
I know I'm biased, but Eric really hit it out of the park with this one. Now that we're tooled, we can meet all of your preferences in color or steel. Also an opportunity for exclusives which broaden the choices.

As Nick said, it's a given that when we invest in FRN tooling, the opportunities for variety at a lower cost are great.

sal
This is good news. I could see myself getting every variant.
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Re: Anyone else hoping for more steels/colors in the Lil Native LW?

#18

Post by Aladinsane »

I could go for LC200N, green scales, SE.👍🏻
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Re: Anyone else hoping for more steels/colors in the Lil Native LW?

#19

Post by elena86 »

sal wrote:
Mon Dec 29, 2025 11:20 pm
I know I'm biased, but Eric really hit it out of the park with this one. Now that we're tooled, we can meet all of your preferences in color or steel. Also an opportunity for exclusives which broaden the choices.

As Nick said, it's a given that when we invest in FRN tooling, the opportunities for variety at a lower cost are great.

sal
I would buy one in (satin) SPY27 in a heartbeat !
Last edited by elena86 on Tue Dec 30, 2025 9:22 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Anyone else hoping for more steels/colors in the Lil Native LW?

#20

Post by Red Leader »

sal wrote:
Mon Dec 29, 2025 11:20 pm
I know I'm biased, but Eric really hit it out of the park with this one. Now that we're tooled, we can meet all of your preferences in color or steel. Also an opportunity for exclusives which broaden the choices.

As Nick said, it's a given that when we invest in FRN tooling, the opportunities for variety at a lower cost are great.

sal
Sal any chance we could see a pink-handled Living Beyond Breast Cancer version? I’ve been strongly considering the Knifejoy exclusive Lil’ Native, as the pink-handled Lil Native is such a friendly-looking ‘non-knife person’ knife that I could use in most situations and hand to someone who is less familiar with knives and I believe they would have an easier time with the backlock than trying to figure out the compression lock. I also like that it supports a benevolent org.

I’d probably pick one up for both my daughter and myself. Steel choice is secondary, but I like 14c28n because it is stainless, tough, and cheap.

Thoughts?
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