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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...
As usual, I’d love to see this happen as a salt - a folding Fish Hunter! And the Chief would be even more so. As long as I’m dreaming, how about a blacked out option? Or at least a DLC blade?
I’d buy anything stainless in this design, though.
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.
Do these have liners? I'm a fan of the early N5s with full liners and stainless back spacers. That would be a good look with this blade
Do these have liners? I'm a fan of the early N5s with full liners and stainless back spacers. That would be a good look with this blade
This particular one I built doesn’t have liners since I used the recent BBB 15V handles. The original, true home of this CPM-154 clad S90V blade is a fully SS-linered OG version (with peel ply CF scales in this case). I would imagine Spyderco could still easily do an older-style, fully linered sprint run in another hyper-steel. That said, the blade on this one sat perfectly centered and snug as a bug in a rug in the linerless scales! I was a bit worried about that it might rub one side or the other as I was building it up, but as usual Spyderco’s high QC standards didn’t let me down! Cheers, Radioactive
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I am not the biggest native fan. That is mostly because it doesn't fit my hand because the handle is too small. I like the current blade better than I like the Native one blade. However, I can see where a Print run with that original blade shape and a native five handle could sell well. Some people like those more tactical looking knives.
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Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King--
Else, wherefore born?" (Tennyson)
I would absolutely be fine with Native 1's grind/swedge in the Native 5 lightweight handle. The main thing I miss from the 1 is that blade, not the scales.
The early Native blades look cool, and they cut just fine, but the full-flat N5 blade is the best, IMHO. For my hand the N5, G10 or LW, is the best ergonomics of any knife I own. The fact that the Native 5 *concept* translates so effectively to everything from the Lil' Native to the Chief will never cease to blow my mind. There is just something magic about what Sal came up with on the Native 5.
That said, would I buy a Sprint with the old blade shape? The lights in Golden would dim I'd buy it so fast.
My favorite native out of the series personally is the stainless native 2, owned one for a while and really loved it, kinda too bad I parted with it.
I prefer the original native design, handle and blade shape. It definitely has a “cool look” factor that a lot of old school stainless Japanese models from spyderco have. Functionally the blade probably doesn’t slice quite as good as the FFG? oh well, bet it still gets the job done more than fine while looking sexier. And the handle design I prefer functionally as well as the look, the deep middle finger groove definitely feels nice and locked in when in grip, that said the swell style handle is very well refined and ergonomic also.
I know the OP asked about the Native 1, but ever since I lost my Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) Native III years ago, I've really missed that blade. A sprint-run with a Native III style blade (though, PE, please) + Native V handle would really be nice. Seems like a good application for SPY27...
- Chris (a.k.a. "rigormootis" on some other forums) *Current Top 5: Stretch 2, PM2, Endura Emerson, Native V, & Delica Wharncliffe... *Wishing for: "Salty" Stretch 2 (Magnacut or MagnaMax) & Endura Emerson (Magnacut, LC200N, or SPY27)
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