Native 1 Sprint anyone?

[Infinite Zero]

Would anyone be interested in a sprint run of the Native 1 in something like SPY27? It had such a good blade grind with that big swedge…

[RadioactiveSpyder]

I think it would be difficult for Spyderco to: A) find the original FRN molds for the N1, and more importantly, B) integrate them back into a much more complex factory operation in Golden than existed 20-30 years ago. Not to mention the very impressive numbers of CQI refinements that have led to the current Native 5 would almost certainly make the concept of making a N1 in its original form not very attractive or appealing to them. Asking them for a N5-level updated N1 is I’m sure too much to ask. Just my two cents, Radioactive

[Ramonade]

A saber hollow grind Native 5 woud be fun though. It'd still be some added work when Golden has, I'm sure, loads of work ahead, for years .

[Naperville]

I like it. I'd buy a few.

[Mushroom]

Not with the Native 5 on the market.

[Manixguy@1994]

As said I don’t see much traction on the idea , but I have always admired the original blade design myself . MG2

[zhyla]

The previous gen in S30V is your best bet. It’s not like SPY27 is going to magically better than that.

[GarageBoy]

A saber hollow grind Native 5 woud be fun though. It'd still be some added work when Golden has, I'm sure, loads of work ahead, for years .

Just gimme the aggressive hollow grind of the Native III

[Ramonade]

A saber hollow grind Native 5 woud be fun though. It'd still be some added work when Golden has, I'm sure, loads of work ahead, for years .

Just gimme the aggressive hollow grind of the Native III

Oh yeah, it's true that it's better, the geometry is very good on the Native III. I use it more than the 1s I have !

[Evil D]

I'd be more interested in a Native 5 with the original hollow grind and swedge blade style, and I mean a close replica not the wee little swedge they do now, make it just like the original. The 5 has way better ergonomics IMO.

[Blerv]

Yall need to think weirder, Native 3

Edit: realized I’m late to the game with that request lol

[RadioactiveSpyder]

Figured I post this for more discussion fodder. I recently built this one up using my BBB brown G10 scales (blade went into my fluted Ti handles) and an OG-style blade. I sold it a few weeks ago (maybe I shouldn't have!). Cheers, Radioactive

[sal]

Hi Zero,

Talkin' Story;

The original Native design has an interesting history that few probably know. A knife company came to be with a proposal. They said they had an "in" with Walmart. They asked me to design a Spyderco knife knife that would sell well in Wal-Mart, they would build it for us, inventory and deliver product and pay us. I sounded too good to be true, right?

I spent weeks in the Sporting goods department of Wal-Marts. I watched what knife buyers were buying. I spoke with them on their purchase, just to get a grasp of the amount of knife knowledge was there. I didn't expect to become an expert, but information helps. I decided on a 3..0" blade that ultimately became the Native. The ergos were good, which is difficult in a hump-less, straight spine model, 3.0" blade model. The shape of the blade was designed to be functional, as it would lead to more sales, but it also had to have a "look".

As it turned out, the project never did materialize, the project was put on hold for years. We ended up making the Native in Golden and in Japan for the next number of years. Then Blue Ridge Knives, a company that we had been working with for years wanted to do something with the inventory on hold and wanted to know what needed to be done to finish and buy the whole batch. Blue Ridge is a very honorable company, and so we worked deal.

If there is interest in a Native 5 Sprint, but with the "Dagger" style hollow grind blade, that would be more possible than re-creating the original.

sal

[Wartstein]

...
If there is interest in a Native 5 Sprint, but with the "Dagger" style hollow grind blade, that would be more possible than re-creating the original.

sal

I had an old Native and really liked that grind - especially the rather strong, but also "piercy" tip.

What would be supercool: A Native CHIEF sprint with that kind of blade...

[srivats]

Hi Zero,

Talkin' Story;

The original Native design has an interesting history that few probably know. A knife company came to be with a proposal. They said they had an "in" with Walmart. They asked me to design a Spyderco knife knife that would sell well in Wal-Mart, they would build it for us, inventory and deliver product and pay us. I sounded too good to be true, right?

I spent weeks in the Sporting goods department of Wal-Marts. I watched what knife buyers were buying. I spoke with them on their purchase, just to get a grasp of the amount of knife knowledge was there. I didn't expect to become an expert, but information helps. I decided on a 3..0" blade that ultimately became the Native. The ergos were good, which is difficult in a hump-less, straight spine model, 3.0" blade model. The shape of the blade was designed to be functional, as it would lead to more sales, but it also had to have a "look".

As it turned out, the project never did materialize, the project was put on hold for years. We ended up making the Native in Golden and in Japan for the next number of years. Then Blue Ridge Knives, a company that we had been working with for years wanted to do something with the inventory on hold and wanted to know what needed to be done to finish and buy the whole batch. Blue Ridge is a very honorable company, and so we worked deal.

If there is interest in a Native 5 Sprint, but with the "Dagger" style hollow grind blade, that would be more possible than re-creating the original.

sal

What a great story. Thanks for sharing Sal.

I would absolutely buy a sprint of Native 5 with a blade that looks like what you describe.

[Mushroom]

I'd be all over a Native 5 with the swedge and "Dagger" style hollow ground blade! That would be a really cool sprint run variation.

[zhyla]

I'd be more interested in a Native 5 with the original hollow grind and swedge blade style, and I mean a close replica not the wee little swedge they do now, make it just like the original. The 5 has way better ergonomics IMO.

Oh man, I guess ergonomics are very subjective. But the 5 is the generation that talked me out of carrying a Native. I think I owned and carried just a Native for 12 or 13 years before getting bitten and buying way too many knives.

The sharp corners of the Native 5 LW just don’t work for me. The earlier models were so well contoured. I suspect the screw construction necessitated sharper corners.

It’s fine… there are other knives for me.

[Blerv]

A swedged Native5 seems a very practical version and would be fun. :)

[Aladinsane]

Hi Zero,

Talkin' Story;

The original Native design has an interesting history that few probably know. A knife company came to be with a proposal. They said they had an "in" with Walmart. They asked me to design a Spyderco knife knife that would sell well in Wal-Mart, they would build it for us, inventory and deliver product and pay us. I sounded too good to be true, right?

I spent weeks in the Sporting goods department of Wal-Marts. I watched what knife buyers were buying. I spoke with them on their purchase, just to get a grasp of the amount of knife knowledge was there. I didn't expect to become an expert, but information helps. I decided on a 3..0" blade that ultimately became the Native. The ergos were good, which is difficult in a hump-less, straight spine model, 3.0" blade model. The shape of the blade was designed to be functional, as it would lead to more sales, but it also had to have a "look".

As it turned out, the project never did materialize, the project was put on hold for years. We ended up making the Native in Golden and in Japan for the next number of years. Then Blue Ridge Knives, a company that we had been working with for years wanted to do something with the inventory on hold and wanted to know what needed to be done to finish and buy the whole batch. Blue Ridge is a very honorable company, and so we worked deal.

If there is interest in a Native 5 Sprint, but with the "Dagger" style hollow grind blade, that would be more possible than re-creating the original.

sal

Yes! A sprint with this blade shape and handle design!

[cjk]

Figured I post this for more discussion fodder. I recently built this one up using my BBB brown G10 scales (blade went into my fluted Ti handles) and an OG-style blade. I sold it a few weeks ago (maybe I shouldn't have!). Cheers, Radioactive

I have a *lot* of Native 5s. I once carried a different one every day for a month and there were plenty left over.
I have one of these CPM 154/S90V saber ground Native 5s. I so enjoyed using it and the uniqueness of it, that I acquired a second to use regularly. The side view of the swedge-free saber grind is actually really handsome; it looks like more of a big brother to the mid back lock lil Native. I'd be totally in favor of this blade grind being repeated. Since it lacks the swedge and is more thickly ground, I view it as potentially a tougher, sturdier thing. I think I'd want a tougher steel and maybe tougher handle combination. Maybe CPM Cru-Wear/Z-Wear PM/NSM-Wear and maybe a green anodized aluminum handle.