Please make Native 5 a compression lock!!

[RazorSharp86]

I'm on the verge of abandoning Spyderco altogether, and this would be another nail in the coffin.

Just because they use the compression lock on so many models? or is there more to this?

Because they are following their market in a direction I don't care to go. The comp lock is my least favored lock, followed by the RIL. I detest proud liners on a folder, and even more when they are ground into teeth, and flippers irritate me to no end. It appears they are changing from high performance cutting tools to expensive fidget toys.

I wish them well, but they can get along without me on that journey.

Couldn’t agree more with this statement.
I don’t want fidget toys, I want high performance knives that I can use for hours without gloves.
No compression locks can give me that.

[Giygas]

Yet another variant of an existing model opposed to designing something new?

Sounds like it’s probably already in the works.

But when is the CruCarta version coming out?!?!

[JustinTime]

I'm on the verge of abandoning Spyderco altogether, and this would be another nail in the coffin.

Just because they use the compression lock on so many models? or is there more to this?

Because they are following their market in a direction I don't care to go. The comp lock is my least favored lock, followed by the RIL. I detest proud liners on a folder, and even more when they are ground into teeth, and flippers irritate me to no end. It appears they are changing from high performance cutting tools to expensive fidget toys.

I wish them well, but they can get along without me on that journey.

Couldn’t agree more with this statement.
I don’t want fidget toys, I want high performance knives that I can use for hours without gloves.
No compression locks can give me that.

Honest question: what are you cutting for hours?

[aicolainen]

I'm on the verge of abandoning Spyderco altogether, and this would be another nail in the coffin.

Just because they use the compression lock on so many models? or is there more to this?

Because they are following their market in a direction I don't care to go. The comp lock is my least favored lock, followed by the RIL. I detest proud liners on a folder, and even more when they are ground into teeth, and flippers irritate me to no end. It appears they are changing from high performance cutting tools to expensive fidget toys.

I wish them well, but they can get along without me on that journey.

Edit: posted empty reply

I haven't followed Spyderco very long, so it's harder for me to notice a change in trends, but if your observations holds true that's quite sad. I'm also here for the performance and couldn't care less for the fidget and bling side of things.

With regards to lock types I too heavily prefer backlocks, but I realize every design is a compromise and a backlock doesn't work all the time. I'm OK with a CL when that makes sense (at least hypothetically, it hasn't really happened yet) , but I would hate to see every knife get a CL just because it's the popular choice. Oh, and for the record; a titanium framlock flipper is pretty much an amalgamation of my least favorite features. Add carbon fiber scale to the show side and a ridiculous blade stock and we're all the way there :D
Thankfully they seem to not be as dominant as they were a couple years back

[Wallach]

The Native 5 is already a perfect knife. Don't even think about it.

[PaloArt]

Please NO, love Native 5 as it is, plenty has been said already and I agree wholeheartedly

[Studiousworkman]

A lot of hatred I see in this thread; a few enthusiasts like myself are willing to see it happen, but I'm quite surprised about such vitriol. I know there are plenty of Spyderco fans who would love to see this change happen, because I've spoken to them personally. Many people who acknowledge the Native for what it is agree that it's a good lock and design, but would be better with a different locking option.

It seems all the Native lovers came out of their shells to express such distaste. As a couple others have mentioned, it would be fine to manufacture both a lockback version and a compression lock version as well. Call it the Native 6 and the Native 5 will continue to satisfy the small niche that it has.

Like it or not, the compression lock is not only popular, fun to use and easy to disengage, it's also a very strong and proven lock. Hard use is built into its DNA. Spyderco has done extensive testing on this lock. Anyone who claims this would disengage during use I question how they are holding and using it. I've used a Para 3 hard and it never failed or disengaged during use. I've never had it open up in my pocket either. Perhaps the times it has happened to those people they had other items in their pocket that caught on the Spydie hole or the compression lock to actuate the blade opening.

Another thing, for extended use holding and using a knife, I'm using a fixed blade with contoured, chamfered and bulbous handles MADE for extensive use without much or any fatigue. Most folders in general have 90 degree angles, sharp and abrupt transitions and don't have proper ergonomics with contouring for long term use at one given time. Since many small time makers and other companies are making beautifully contoured fixed blade knives that fit it your pocket in a sheath with little to no protrusions, how come knife companies don't focus more on that with their folders?? It CERTAINLY can be done, because it already is being done.

Another hard truth is that while the Native 5 has a following, the Paramilitary 2, Para 3, Manix 2, Delica, Endura, Tenacious are all more popular and I would even say, sell better as well. I always see Native 5's be the last model to sell on vendors and distributors websites - consistently.

Regardless, it would be excellent in a compression lock version even if the lockback was still in production.

[Wartstein]

A lot of hatred I see in this thread; a few enthusiasts like myself are willing to see it happen, but I'm quite surprised about such vitriol. I know there are plenty of Spyderco fans who would love to see this change happen, because I've spoken to them personally. Many people who acknowledge the Native for what it is agree that it's a good lock and design, but would be better with a different locking option.

It seems all the Native lovers came out of their shells to express such distaste. As a couple others have mentioned, it would be fine to manufacture both a lockback version and a compression lock version as well. Call it the Native 6 and the Native 5 will continue to satisfy the small niche that it has.

Like it or not, the compression lock is not only popular, fun to use and easy to disengage, it's also a very strong and proven lock. Hard use is built into its DNA. Spyderco has done extensive testing on this lock. Anyone who claims this would disengage during use I question how they are holding and using it. I've used a Para 3 hard and it never failed or disengaged during use. I've never had it open up in my pocket either. Perhaps the times it has happened to those people they had other items in their pocket that caught on the Spydie hole or the compression lock to actuate the blade opening.

Another thing, for extended use holding and using a knife, I'm using a fixed blade with contoured, chamfered and bulbous handles MADE for extensive use without much or any fatigue. Most folders in general have 90 degree angles, sharp and abrupt transitions and don't have proper ergonomics with contouring for long term use at one given time. Since many small time makers and other companies are making beautifully contoured fixed blade knives that fit it your pocket in a sheath with little to no protrusions, how come knife companies don't focus more on that with their folders?? It CERTAINLY can be done, because it already is being done.

Another hard truth is that while the Native 5 has a following, the Paramilitary 2, Para 3, Manix 2, Delica, Endura, Tenacious are all more popular and I would even say, sell better as well. I always see Native 5's be the last model to sell on vendors and distributors websites - consistently.

Regardless, it would be excellent in a compression lock version even if the lockback was still in production.

I understand an completely respect that you´d prefer a Native with a comp.lock, I actually hope you´ll eventually get what you want (as long as the Native 5 with its backlock does not disappear).

That´s actually what the thread I started and mentioned already is about (viewtopic.php?t=84760)

I am not sure though (no offense meant!) where you find the "hatred" and "vitirol" in this thread?!

Your original question was (quote) to "make the Native 5 a Native 6 with a compression lock" - so, as I and obviously others took it, to replace the backlock with a comp.lock in the next Native iteration.

Reacting to that quite some folks who I figure actually use their knives and can compare the Native backlock to a comp.lock voiced their opinion that they would not like that and gave good and valid (though partly of course still subjective) reasoning for that.

Unless I missed that, no one said a comp.lock would disengage during use (though I can recall three accounts here of just that happening, I don´t think it is a real "thing")

I am of the opinion (subjevtice) that for folks who really and frequently use their knives in various conditions a backlock is clearly superior over a comp.lock. Safer in operation, safer in pocket or iwb (and accidental opening in pocket CAN be a thing with comp.locks), more ways of operating it, easy to use with gloves and cold hands, and, yes, better ergos ( no cutout, always closed back) - some just want the convenience of "just" carrying a folder and not a fixed blade, and still have a handle that is better for prolongued, harder use (I do for sure).

To me personally a comp.lock is great for more urban, light use, "gents" knives or if the handle and blade shape do not allow for a backlock or CBBL (for example in the Bodacious: I think that tall blade with no choil would not fit into that handle with a backlock or CBBL).
Actually though then I´d prefer a liner - over a comp.lock, but that´s just me.

/

[Wartstein]

....
Another hard truth is that while the Native 5 has a following, the Paramilitary 2, Para 3, Manix 2, Delica, Endura, Tenacious are all more popular and I would even say, sell better as well. I always see Native 5's be the last model to sell on vendors and distributors websites - consistently.
...

And I can´t quite follow that reasoning (again, no offense meant):

- If you are right in your assesment, then the LOCKTYPE actually can´t be the deciding factor if a Spydie sells well or not, right?!

For example: You say that "Delica, Endura... are more popular" than the Native 5
Both DO have backlocks though, and, as a vast majority of folks here would confirm, not even as good ones as the Native 5 has...

[Evil D]

A lot of hatred I see in this thread; a few enthusiasts like myself are willing to see it happen, but I'm quite surprised about such vitriol.

What gets me every time topics like this pop up is how people seem to approach the question as if it were worded more like "would you like to see the Native 5 CHANGED to Compression Lock and never be made in back lock ever again". It was the same for the Military when the 2 came out. People seem to oppose a variant like it's going to be a replacement. I don't understand that line of thinking because I don't like saying something shouldn't exist that others will enjoy just because it's not for me. Honestly that's like 99% of the knives out there for me. Seems like there's a confusion between "I wouldn't be interested in this but you go ahead" and "I wouldn't be interested in this and I hope it never exists for anyone".

[Wartstein]

What gets me every time topics like this pop up is how people seem to approach the question as if it were worded more like "would you like to see the Native 5 CHANGED to Compression Lock and never be made in back lock ever again". It was the same for the Military when the 2 came out. People seem to oppose a variant like it's going to be a replacement. I don't understand that line of thinking because I don't like saying something shouldn't exist that others will enjoy just because it's not for me. Honestly that's like 99% of the knives out there for me. Seems like there's a confusion between "I wouldn't be interested in this but you go ahead" and "I wouldn't be interested in this and I hope it never exists for anyone".

David, I assume you did not really read through this thread, right? (No critique, I get that! )

Cause op literally said: " please make the Native 5 a Native 6 with a compression lock" and many folks here thus understandably took it like as if the Native 5 should become a comp.lock knife in it´s next (sixth) iteration and replaced by that comp,lock model.,
Just as an reaction they then explained rationally there valid reasons for why they would not like that.

Some (including me) also said exactly would you did: That of course they´d happily grant everyone who prefers that a comp.lock Native, as long as the backlock Native does not disappear. Exactly the opposite of "shouldn´exist that others will enjoy because it´s not for me.

/ Concerning the Millie 1 / Millie 2: I think this was/is more about that it is hard to deny that Spyderco is placing, pricing and treating the Millie 2 in a way that the Millie 1 has little chance to remain a good seller and thus the fear it could disappear eventually...

[electro-static]

This is not the first time this topic has come up. Although, it needs to be addressed again.

Sal, Eric, Spyderco, please make the Native 5 a Native 6 with a compression lock!! Please also add a wire pocket clip!! The choil, blade shape, blade size and ergonomics can all be left the same. This would be the perfect size for a carry knife, even better than the Para 3, Sage 5 and Lil' Native. I will happily give you more revenue for this!! Sprint and Limited Edition models included!!

Thank you for listening!

- A loyal Spyderco customer

I think it would be fantastic, I enjoy the native’s back lock but a wire deep carry clip and compression lock would be really nice as it would be easier to carry and one hand close.

[Manixguy@1994]

Personally like the N5 as it is , but not against the idea but doubt I would purchase one . MG2

[Coastal]

This sounds like a great option for those who like the Native and like comp locks, so yeah, why not? The Native looks great, but unfortunately it just doesn't match my hand. I can't find a grip that feels good. Plus, the compression lock is my least favorite of those I've tried. For these reasons, I'm out.

Still, probably an attractive idea to a lot of knife buyers!

[Pacu0420]

The Native 5 is one of the (if not the) easiest knives to disassemble and service, don't need the complock to come along and ruin that.

How does it differ from other backlocks in this regard?

Try re-assembling a delica, endela or endura.
They are Nightmarish in comparison to the Native. The weak bottom spring mount moves out of place and distorts when pressure is applied from the spring. This mount has a locating spigot for the scales which makes it impossible to reassemble with the blade in place. You have to blindly slot it in after you connect the scales and hope and pray that washers and screws line up as they should.

The whole experience, To quote the dude from Total Recall, “makes me wish I had three hands!”

The Native 5’s spring mount simply doesn’t distort.

So true, I had a heck of a time putting my Endela back together. Definitely the most difficult reassemble of all the knives I have. Had me cussing a whole lot, lol! The Native 5 is a breeze in comparison.

[Pacu0420]

I wouldn't mind it as an option to the back lock. I generally don't like back locking knives, but the Native 5 is an exception. The ergonomics are amazing. And I just like the way it looks. I carry mine all the time.
I think the CL is an alright idea. I do like it on the Shaman and the PM2. But maybe it isn't right for the N5. Who knows? Not likely to happen anyway!

[Bdubs808]

This is like deja vu... like when we asked for a Military 2 with a CL. Not trying to step on anyone's toes and cause their favorite model to be disco'd. Just interested in what these amazing knives would be like with a CL (which I do prefer over BL, full transparency).
I don't know, I thought it was fun to throw out these random hypothetical ideas about our favorite models, getting the designs fine tuned to specs that make us happy.
I mean at this point Spyderco has proven that they enjoy making the same knife multiple ways, with small variations (Shaman/Bodacious), (Lil Native with 3 locking options), (ManixLW/G10/backlock), not to mention all the different scales, blade coatings, blade shapes (PM2 has at least 3 shapes, with the Bowie the unreleased 4th) serrations, etc. I doubt that any model as legendary as the Native 5 LB needs to worry about being replaced anytime soon. They really can co exist, especially if a Native CL is released as a Sprint or Flash Batch or something.

I miss the times when people had nicer things to input to these nerdy knife talks. I feel like many are eager to jump onto the negative wagon and echo their shared sentiment. When I am not a fan of a thing, I'd rather just not input my opinion.
Although always say what you want to say because basic rights. Perhaps think about whether or not your down vote is constructive, or dulling the fun for another knife AFI just trying to enjoy the positive community aspect of our hobby.
These are thoughts I've been chewing on since those old discussions about a Military 2 with a CL. If you don't know how awkward those threads are, you can probably find them in the archive.

[Wartstein]

This is like deja vu... like when we asked for a Military 2 with a CL. Not trying to step on anyone's toes and cause their favorite model to be disco'd. Just interested in what these amazing knives would be like with a CL (which I do prefer over BL, full transparency).
I don't know, I thought it was fun to throw out these random hypothetical ideas about our favorite models, getting the designs fine tuned to specs that make us happy.
I mean at this point Spyderco has proven that they enjoy making the same knife multiple ways, with small variations (Shaman/Bodacious), (Lil Native with 3 locking options), (ManixLW/G10/backlock), not to mention all the different scales, blade coatings, blade shapes (PM2 has at least 3 shapes, with the Bowie the unreleased 4th) serrations, etc. I doubt that any model as legendary as the Native 5 LB needs to worry about being replaced anytime soon. They really can co exist, especially if a Native CL is released as a Sprint or Flash Batch or something.

I miss the times when people had nicer things to input to these nerdy knife talks. I feel like many are eager to jump onto the negative wagon and echo their shared sentiment. When I am not a fan of a thing, I'd rather just not input my opinion.
Although always say what you want to say because basic rights. Perhaps think about whether or not your down vote is constructive, or dulling the fun for another knife AFI just trying to enjoy the positive community aspect of our hobby.
These are thoughts I've been chewing on since those old discussions about a Military 2 with a CL. If you don't know how awkward those threads are, you can probably find them in the archive.

No offense, but again: To me it rather shows a "negative" attitude and focus and negative way of looking at things to FIND a lot of "negativity" in this particular thread...

OP suggested that the next iteration of the Native ("Native 6 ") should have a comp.lock instead of a backlock. So be changed to that.
This might be a misunderstanding, but then pretty much every next iteration made the previous one go away (except - for now.... concerning Millie 1 and Millie 2) so naturally most people took it like that.

Only THAT made folks who enjoy the particularily good backlock of the current Native to voice their opinion that they would not like to see that lock go away for another comp.lock knife. And gave constructive and valid reasons for that.

Had the OP said that he´d like to see an ADDITIONAL comp.lock version of the Native 5 (like the Lil Native offers) this would have become a whole different thread.
Quite some even explicitly said that they´d be more than fine with that and grant the OP what he´d like to see.
(I may share one more time the link to the poll I started once about just that: Make all Native family members in backlock AND comp.lock, exactly so that most can get what they want viewtopic.php?t=84760)

There ARE those "negative" threads indeed, no doubt.
But this to me is one more reason to ask people to look at the exact question/topic and the answers in a thread more thoroughly and not read into and bring up negativity when there actually is not really one.

It actually was the op himself who started to use terms like "hatred" and "vitriol" - pretty exaggerated in my view and actually the first real "negative" inputs here (except the post where a general disappointment about Spyderco is gets expressed).

So, again: Imo people should stop "reading" negativity into this actually still positive and constructive community, but read threads with a more rational and also positive view.

Just for illustration:

- If I said I wanted a version of the Manix 2 with a linerlock: Many would say "not for me, but I´ll still be happy for you it you get just that"
- If I asked though for a Manix 3 with a linerlock, actually replacing the Manix 2: Many people would, just like they did in this thread, voice their honest opinion that thy would not like that.

[Albertaboyscott]

I would like it to stay as is. I like the back lock

[JSumm]

The Native 5 is an incredible iteration of the mid-backlock. I would never want to see it passed over, but I also hope the Military Linerlock sticks around, so we will see where hope gets me.

I think if you want a humpless compression lock, the Shaman and Bodacious models would be great options. And who knows, if the Bodacious is super successful, maybe they will create a smaller version for those whose want or need that.