Native old and new thoughts / madness

[JAfromMN]

I got issues :spyder:


I got to do a side by side of the native 4 and 5 to try figure out for myself what native I prefer.


I got to thank Donut for the use of his blades to make this topic possible. Very cool :cool:



I've owned both of these knives before in different blade grinds or finishes . these are my first fully serrated natives in ss finish.

My thoughts so far is I prefer the old native. I had a black one in s30 v I used for years. It could start a cut and rip its way through most any matteral. It held its Edge fantastic, I also liked the extra plan edge at the tip it was just enough to add a lot more function to a
Fully serrated knife. The jimpimg on the back of the bade provides extreme grip more so with gloves . The black finish held up well and it held a great edge. I prefer its looks and the its feel. It was a excellent knife.



That being said I also owned a plane edge native 5 its was a amazing slicer, I liked the flat grind. I just dont trust it and feel ill break it. S35v is a fantastic blade stee that l I could get crazy sharp easly. But it didt have the bite of my old Spyderco edge native I'm uses to had. It was better at making lunch than it was on the job. The fimping on the finger cut out feels very nice but that same jimping on the top of the blade feels slick.
The Handel provides a better grip I just do not like its cheap plastic feel.

I need to use the 5 more

my picky #### also isn't a big fan of the clips. The 4 can twist and the 5 is kinda huge and looks ugly to me.

Why they haven't came up with its own clip I have no idea. Milly clip works I guess. It won't fall off I bet :)

we will see what is actually the better fit for me


If you got any thoughts please ask.

These are both excellent knives and also like to what you think..

Thanks this should be a good topic. Its been to long :)
.

I also took this pic today.. unreal lol

[JAfromMN]

So far I'm going to use the 5,.

All I can say it works with mail and snacks good so far

[twinboysdad]

For me, the 4 looks cooler but the 5 is performance enhanced

[The Deacon]

FWIW, it looks like you're comparing the Native 5 Lightweight with the original C41 Native Lightweight. The Native 4 was the CF/VG-10 version made to gauge interest in the the Native 5 concept.

As for me, my favorite Native is the 2009 Forum version. No gimmick grinds, just a nice simple FFG with a flat spine. Take the clips off anyway, so the barrel bolt's tendency to rotate is a non-issue for me.

[ZrowsN1s]

Native 5 all the way for me. It's just like the Native 4, but better!
*nice pics Deacon

[palonej]

That is really one sweet Native Paul!! Too cool!
Never saw that one before. Just love the web on the blade!
****!
Joe

[JAfromMN]

I changed my topic name thanks Paul.


I did notice I got a nick at the tip of the blade. I'll have to fix that this evening .

I have yet to do any serious sharping to s35v. Should be interesting

[holeshot]

I really like my Native 5 LW with the Spidie edege but recently bought a Sage 5 with the compression lock and I'm now leaning toward it. Either way both are outstanding knives. :)

[Evil D]

I loved the swedge. Can't help it. Most knives I can do without it but I liked it on this one. And I'm probably a minority here but I loved and deeply miss the barrel screw clip. I would have it on every knife I own if it were an option.

[Doc Dan]

I never cared for the previous iterations of the Native. In fact, I never even picked one up. That's how disinterested I was in the blade design. The Native 5 changed all that, and thanks to David Lowery, here on the forums, I was able to actually hold one and try one. It is a great knife. Native 5, that's my pick.

[ZrowsN1s]

So many options

[JAfromMN]

I changed my topic name thanks Paul.


I did notice I got a nick at the tip of the blade. I'll have to fix that this evening .

I have yet to do any serious sharping to s35v. Should be interesting

I was impressed with how easy it was to fix that nick in the blade of the s35v native. Took me about 5 min and it got insanely sharp.

It was as easy or easier to sharpen as the S30v I'm used too.

Neat ..

[JAfromMN]

I'm going with the older native today.

Feels like I got a old friend back in my pocket.

I got to say the 5 has a way better grip but this in the knife I'm used too..

For being two of the same knives there so so different.

[JAfromMN]

Classic

It just feels right



Looks right too

[JAfromMN]

Went with the 5 today


I wish it had the same top jimping as the old one. Besides that this native has a overall better feel ..

It really has a good grip to it

[ZrowsN1s]

You really like the more aggressive jimping? interesting. It would probably be easier to tell in PE but do you notice a big differece in sharpness or ease cutting/drag between the FFG and the saber grind?

[JAfromMN]

You really like the more aggressive jimping? interesting. It would probably be easier to tell in PE but do you notice a big differece in sharpness or ease cutting/drag between the FFG and the saber grind?

I like that old jimping. Digs right in with gloves

The ffg seems to just melt right through cardboard and stuff. It feels like it slices better to me.
I just dont trust the blade as much I don't like the feeling I could snap my blade .

The old hollow ground native blade felt stronger .

two totally different knives .

the 5 is probably the better edc blade for all round jobs but the older one is the one I'd want to own if it was the only knife I was going to use and carry.
Plastic Tank :)

[Donut]

I didn't notice this thread until just now.

I do feel that the 5 feels more sturdy, the older one bends a little more. Not that bending makes it weaker, but it makes me feel like it is weaker.

S35VN is a pretty awesome steel as far as ease of sharpening goes. I was figuring S35VN having more toughness would make it perform better with a SE.


They are both pretty amazing knives in their own right. I'm not too sure what either of them would do better than the other, but I feel that carrying either of them gives us a lot of cutting power.

[ZrowsN1s]

The Maxamet FFG feels very solid :D Your preference for the more aggressive jimping makes sense with gloves. They are both pretty nice knives, if the native 4 was all I had, I think I'd like it well enough.

[JAfromMN]

I've been using the native 5 for the past Few days and its as good or a better cutter in every way really. So far anyway ... That being said the older native to me is a much better looking knife and I'm sure by its looks the blade is a overall stronger knife. The new native Handel has to be stronger by its feel and its clip is a much needed improvement but again I just think the old one looks better. I like the jimping on the fingire cut out in the 5 also a improvement I need to mention.

50/50 combo edge is probably the way to go with this baby. The old serrated native has a much larger plane edge section of the tip compared to the new. I prefer the old. There's just not enough edge at the tip for my taste.

I'm going to go with the og tomorrow ..

The new one has really started to grow on me but it feels more like a different knife.

I'd like to see the native 6 look like a 5 in the Handel and a ORIGINAL NATIVE look BLADE