Cut or Carry: Spyderco Lil' Native Review

[@ZPositive]

The Lil Native is such a quintessential little big knife. A fifth pocket knife that has a full four finger hammer grip. It's possibly the most perfect fifth pocket hard use knife ever designed. Just a little added info: as far as I can tell, the compression lock Lil Natives use the wire clip, while the backlock Lil Natives use the spoon clip. And finally, I highly recommend pulling the clip and taking some 220 grit sandpaper to the G10 under the clip. You'll be amazed at how little G10 you need to sand away in order to make this knife respect your pockets. Thanks for the great review!

[@Gnarlingby]

Exactamundo! Thank you. Z positive is a rare blood-type!

[@DaveAlkema]

You'd like the compression lock version better. It's significantly lighter and has the wire clip.

[@dionflorio9249]

The wharncliffe compression lock Lil Native is excellent you should give it a try.

[@grimecrimetime]

I have the wharncliffe blade shape of this knife. It came with g10 and a wire clip. Didnt realize the regular version has the spoon clip. Great knife either way, and I have been looking for the slipjoint version. You can get a deep carry clip for your knife and will improve on what you don't like. Flytanium

[@Gnarlingby]

Thanks for this review I got some information. I disagreed with most of your opinions of the knife and I can see that you don't appear to read the comments. Some good comments here. As you missed the point of this knife completely but with an attitude I won't be back.

[@plumtiger1]

Been wanting to buy one of these, And I've always been a fan of the paperclip pocketclip, but I just lost my sage 5 hiking, and I don't know if that's why, but I'll probably be buying an aftermarket clip next time

[@TheOfficialCaseMade]

Man, that has to hurt. I almost lost my $50 Leatherman and I retraced my steps for at least an hour until I found it 😅 My condolences.

[@TheOfficialCaseMade]

I originally wanted a Native for my first real Spyderco (I have an old serrated Endura Clipit, but I generally have no use for serrations) because it was underappreciated and American made. After really digging into Spyderco's lineup, it seems the Sage 5 one-ups the Native in almost every regard; lighter, more usable blade thickness, better action, and a more modern lockup. That said, I'm sure I'll end up with one at some point 🤷‍♂️

[@usernameisusername]

Bang! Rybos bench

[@_brianm]

I never noticed that the Chap and Lil’ Native have almost exactly the same handle size and shape (though Native obviously much thicker)

[@RybosWorkbench]

Yeah, it surprised me too. I have a side by side pic here: www.benchreviews.com/2023/03/03/cut-or-carry-spyderco-lil-native-review/

[@AGC828]

Expensive. Cost more than a full sized Manix 2...

[@JeffBruenderman]

Little native compression is awesome

[@RybosWorkbench]

nice! i'll have to grab one to compare

[@tonysa2337]

​@@RybosWorkbench Is the back lock not considerably stronger than the compression lock? Always assumed it was.

[@sonofliberty78]

@@tonysa2337No. The compression lock is extremely strong also, especially on this model; since the Lil Native uses the same comp lock as the PM2, (a much larger knife), so it’s overbuilt, if anything.

[@TheOfficialCaseMade]

​@@tonysa2337I've always heard back locks are the strongest, but also never heard of a compression lock actually failing. It's likely much ado about nothing, as is most internet debate.

[@sonofliberty78]

The comp lock Lil Native is a far more compelling version of the model, imo. I prefer the wire clip on smaller knives, (carries deeper and less obtrusive in hand), and the LN uses the same comp lock as the PM2, so the action is wonderful, and obviously that version of the knife is far more fun to fidget with than a back lock. Ymmv

[@usernameisusername]

I guess I just don't understand why you would carry a knife that does 80% of what you wanted to do I have probably 59 and I keep going back Tamiya ganso fh41 that does 100% for $24 and yes I'm voice texting

[@trlarosa]

Yeah really hard to beat a Ganzo. I’d say the same on f759m for $15

[@TheOfficialCaseMade]

​@@trlarosathe F759M has ruined me from buying a Delica; the better ergonomics (thanks to the finger choil that the Delica should have), decent steel, and insane price difference have made me question why I would ever spend 6X the price on a knife that isn't really an upgrade. Maybe I'm just a hater, but man I just don't get the hype, or at least the high price for a fairly underwhelming knife.