Native II or III

[Element]

Will be my EDC. Minimal use, I need something a bit more hand filling and have nowhere to compare the 2. Will be mainly for SD purposes, so it needs to be as sharp as possible. Suggestions?

[hiredgun]

III if only because I like the looks of it and the wire clip better than the II's. If it were my choice, though, I'd get neither and wait for the IV!!! :cool:

[MountainMedic]

First of all, welcome to the forum Element.

You can't go wrong with either of these choices. I prefer the N2 on a personal level just because of the steel (S30V vs VG-10 on the N3). I also like the fact that it is made in Golden(vs Seki N3). All that aside, if you want more of a hand filling knife then the N3's handle is slightly thicker and more contoured. The VG-10 in the N3 is a little easier to sharpen.

Ah, who are we kidding here? Just get both and enjoy feeding your addiction. :D

[TazKristi]

Element,
Welcome to the Spyderco Forums. We hope you enjoy your time with us.

As to your question, I'll let the members give you their input on the two knives you're considering.

Kristi

[Element]

I can't afford both right now and definitely won't be able to afford the IV. Within the last month I have bought a Benchmade Griptilian ($80 w/shipping), Blade-Tech Pro Hunter Lite($26.50 w/shipping from a spydieguys auction, great deal), and Kershaw Speed Bump($33.75 on an auction) and have yet to buy a Spyderco. This will actually be a birthday present from my wife and my limit is $75 for a knife. I have another question, does the III say "Golden, Colorado USA Earth" on it, I think that is cool! The reason I won't EDC any of the others is because of blade length. The Native is JUST over 3" whick is the legal limit in my state.

[The Deacon]

Sorry, but the Native III doesn't say Golden CO on it. It says Seki, Japan because that's where it is made. So, for that matter did the Native II, which had stainless steel handles. The only Native made in Golden is the original C41.

[JustAnEDC'er]

I'm not sure what the Native II looks like although I'd reccommend the Native I - the handle looks really cool with the spyderweb-esque design. I have that one and it does indeed say "Golden Colorado USA Earth" on it. As well, keep in mind that while the blade is over 3", the cutting edge is much less - the finger choil takes up a good part of the blade, so if an officer was ever hassling you about it you can always say you thought 3" blade implied the cutting edge (sounds pretty legit to me!)

[The Deacon]

Here's a shot of how the Native and Native III compare in thickness

[CENTER][/CENTER]

And a shot of a Native, Native II, and Native III (ignore the knife on the right, it has been modified)

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[MCM]

s30v Golden Co. Wallmart specials.......
Around $40.00

[v8r]

My native I bought at walmart has Golden Colardo USA earth on it.

[ozspyder]

If you need a Native which in more hand filling I would suggest a Native III. As you can see from The Deacon's comparative shots the Native III has a fatter and more contoured handle. It is also termed the Native 3-D for that reason.

For more control over the blade I would recommend the Native III, but if you are going to dump it in your pocket or wear it IWB then I would opt for the slimmer Native I or Native II. Native I is lighter being FRN handled, and the Native II heavier and coler on your skin as it is S/S.

[Cscoop]

I like the Wal Mart Native 2. For $40.00 you get a great knive with a S30V blade. Comes out of the box very sharp and the S30V stays sharp for a long time.

[OuchThatsSharp]

One of the requests was for a knife that fills the hand better. With that in mind the Native III with the fuller and rounder handle would be the choice. I have large hands and I prefer the Native III.

[RIOT]

i would go for the Native III for every aspect it has, its superior compared to the Native II in my eyes

[ghostrider]

As The Deacon has stated, the Native II is a not the Wally World special. That is the original native (although with a different blade steel, and slightly different blade design). The Walmart Native (as it's come to be known as) is the Native, there is the 3-D version, which is called the Native III. The Native II has a SS handle, and was orriginally produced in Japan (IIRC) with AUS-10 for blade steel (never made with S30V). It has more recently been produced with VG-10, but appears to no longer be in production.

For something that fills the hand better, the Native III is probably better suited. However, that also means that it will be more cumbersome inside the pocket.

The Native (that used to be available at some Wal Marts for $40) is slimmer, so it won't fill the hand as well, be less obtrusive in the pocket.

All three are good knives, it's just a matter of deciding which one will work best for you. If you think the Native is too thin in the handle, then try the Native III.

[SimpleIsGood229]

One of the requests was for a knife that fills the hand better. With that in mind the Native III with the fuller and rounder handle would be the choice. I have large hands and I prefer the Native III.

I totally agree with you. I think the N3's choil is more comfortable since the FRN part is rounded, as opposed to the same area on the Golden Native being flat.