Spyderco Native 5 LW Long Term Review

[@joeh9503]

I feel like the Native 5 LW is the Glock 19 of the knife world. It’s lightweight and sturdy, easily carriable, affordable, in a good steel, and put together perfectly (at least from my experience). Some may have some issues with the handle but that is overlooked for the convenience of everything else. Love this thing!

[@tangoyankee7521]

I agree beautiful great best knife.

[@jcwindsound]

I quite like backlocks, they engage with a tangible "click" and feel so sturdy. And love a well-built, no-nonsense knife with good ergonomics. So, naturally, I like me some Spydercos!

[@GoldBold563]

jcwindsound Bully! Well said old boy.

[@frederickj.7136]

They -- the Spyderco backlocks -- all seem to sound quite different from one another in operation. The Native 5 LW just cracks like a whip upon engagement. Loudly. Watch 'em jump! Fun for knife guys, but perhaps not so cool in some social environments.

[@wartstein8814]

Totally agree. Backlocks are great, and the one on the Native is probably the best Spyderco ever made. VERY solid, literally NO blade play on my Native 5 FRN.

[@kerryrwac]

I have a Native 3 , VG10 , serrated , wire clip . The handle is nicer than the 5 as it's more contoured , but it's pinned together , so you can't take it apart and put the S35 blade in it .

[@mynameisjonas7967]

I have the same S35VN blade but ComboEdge, I quite like it. The un serrated portion gets crazy sharp.

[@BPF80MCar-vi1pg]

I've got the native 5 carbon fiber Handel and it's my favorite behind the manix2

[@danofiremano]

I too wish the Native LW all had the wire clip like the Manix 2 LW. I don't mind it so much on my Blurple S110V. I also don't mind that it's not a fidgit toy, because it's a tool at the end of the day!

[@larryrosen2984]

Hi Brian.. I just got it in LC200 N. And love it..

[@wartstein8814]

Based on your great review and some other reviews I purchased a Native 5 FRN and must say: Really love that thing already!! That is somewhat unexpected, since usually I am not a fan of large choils that take away cutting edge, especially in smaller knifes (a rather SHORT choil in a BIG blade (think Military) is a whole different story). But ergos, looks and especially that SOLID feel despite beeing a lightweight, linerless Knife are just great. Still I´d dream of a Native Version sans choil: Just a reshaped handle so that "guard" would be in the very front of it and you´d get a better four finger grip; than make the cutting edge longer, starting right affer the handle. For some applications (food prep...) that would be a great knife, and I would definitely own both versions: With and without choil.

[@jcb6713]

... fyi; Native 5 Salt series in LC200N @ 2.50oz./pre-order...love the Spydie-Chef in that steel...nice review, excellent knife...hope your trip went well...have a great weekend...

[@bp-hx9ts]

JCB 67 I mentioned that to him he said he likes the regular lw

[@richardvirchow3390]

This is 5 yrs after your post, but I’ve bought a dozen Spyderco knives and have come to love them all so I just put in an order for the Spyderco Native 5 LW. Why? The spine has even less of a “hump” than the Sage 5 LW and I prefer a back lock.

[@neverstoplearning2]

I have to get one of these! Thanks!

[@barrylevitt1170]

Nicely done review. Have a great day.

[@tcdahn7]

Nothing has been able to replace it...I can't find a better knife than a native 5 lw in s35vn for everyday carry.

[@tangoyankee7521]

I agree is the best knife.

[@donfierro777]

00:58 look into the spydie hole ... you feel like buying, go buy.

[@frederickj.7136]

Re: The FRN. All Spyderco FRN in this present design format is not the same. My (discontinued, ZDP-189) Stretch just has a better feel in hand -- a somewhat "softer", more refined feel all across the surface; less "cheese grater" effect, especially on my pinkie) -- and a noticeably higher standard of finish (note the top surface join, in particular) than that of either my Native 5 LW or FRCP Manix 2 LW. It's a difference I can readily appreciate, both aesthetically and in use. FYI. The FRN on the Stretch 2 here, for anyone interested, more resembles the others, though I would still say there is a somewhat higher end feel in evidence which might justify the higher cost of the current Stretch 2 vs. an Endura 4 for those wondering. However, the Stretch 2 is a very different knife than the previous iteration, being more specialized for Spyderco's own highlighted application (hunter's knife, game prep) compared to the more EDC friendly original LW Stretch. I'd give a high thumb up for the Manix 2 LW you mention so favorably, Bryan, except that my thumb and forefinger are so sore from messing about with the Manix's crappy ball release tab execution that I have to give my thumb a rest for awhile. Love, love, love, hate.

[@evanwilliams4351]

Thanks brah! been looking for a tennis knife for ages 😂

[@nickypeeps93]

I’m just here to say that’s it’s 2022 and this knife is now $120 with s30v. Still bought it though lol

[@tonycanniffe2360]

Better than the Delica because of the choil and better steel? (I literally finished typing this question, when you answered it...) So you hit slices when playing tennis... (Sorry)

[@andyhayward1261]

A ball bearing lock native would be amazing

[@Keith_the_knife_freak]

Great review!!! Thanks 👍👍👍hava great night..

[@Keith_the_knife_freak]

First comment!! 👍👍👍

[@tonymallia1940]

Great review

[@johnalessi6004]

Native 5 lightweight s110v or Chaparral noble in CTS XHP...?????

[@rodrigoroaduterte9415]

Right now I hold this knife in Maxamet in my hands. Damn it’s expensive. Of course, this is a taste issue, but personally for me it is functionally beautiful.

[@macro820]

If you want a native 5 jump on the s90v version at cutleryshoppe, same price with s90v and i heard they are running low on stock

[@codylayman199]

5 years later the lw in s30v is $128 It’s definitely keeping ahead of inflation.

[@aw9389]

Ive got a CF shaman that i was able to modify down to 4.5 oz. To me thats light enough for EDC. Anything over that and i am less likely to have it in my pocket.

[@scotthill6807]

Great review. I have the same Native 5 and like it. You forget it's in your pocket. Great steel and holds a good edge. The forward finger choil lets you do fine cutting/carving very nicely. If you have large hands (XL glove size) this may not be the Spyderco for you as the handle can be to short. For you guys with Gorilla Paws you might want to look at a different knife like the Mannix. Thanks for the review.

[@Eldofarmboy]

Nice little Spydey. Have you handled the CRKT Raikiri yet? Good god it's a huge knife

[@kennethroberts1085]

Not sure if your still in the market but I have the blue with s110v that I would trade. It’s Brand new but came dull somehow so I sharpened it.

[@SliceyDicey]

Hmm... Not sure I have anything to trade at the moment though. Just sold a lot of stuff.

[@SliceyDicey]

Email me at [e-mail]

[@bibigreen6533]

Prefer s30v for edc, better edge retention. s35vn for stainless bushcraft blades is cool. I don't hit my folders.

[@XnortonatorX]

POV you’re watching this in 2024 and the cost commentary is sending.

[@readyme]

What pocket clip do you recommend for this knife???

[@SliceyDicey]

MXG Gear makes some great ones.

[@LarsRibe]

Looks great! but... 150$ for the basic model here in Europe.

[@joeschmoe3815]

Amazon sometimes has good prices for Spyderco knives. I got mine for 105€ last month. And a delica for 78€ instead of 90€.

[@8686joedog]

Thanks for this review. I just returned my Para3 LW because I hated the feel of the no washer action on it. Maybe the G-10 version of this is the way to go. I love me some deep carry though, and I'm not huge on the backlock. It's not that efficient to close. Where did you get the deep carry clip?

[@timbo4374]

I have a knockoff of the G10 Native 5..same materials, black G10, S35VN blade and yes, by the way it's held up, I do believe it's S35VN steel, back lock..looks exactly the same, except it has an oval hole and is marked TACNWO instead of Spyderco. I paid 39$ new on Amazon. Blade is made in the US but the rest is China. Great knife, same materials, same build quality,, for less than 1/3 the price. I know many of the purists won't touch a copy, and I get that, but If you can live with a knockoff, then I highly recommend it. It's not a counterfeit, it's a knockoff. and It's not like Spyderco doesn't already have a boatload of my money for other models, so my conscious can live with it,

[@SubUrbanNinja-EDC]

Mine was hard to open. The was gritty and sticky. It literally hurt my thumb to open. The back lock is horrible and not smooth. You have go press the back lock hard to release the blade. I paid $120 for mine. Although I love the blade and ergo, rest of the knife sucks. This is at best a $65 knife.

[@phillipnunya6793]

I have some concerns on the long term durability of the FRN meeting the blade. Blade centering will probably get worse quicker and be harder to fix. I think the G10 versions will be much more serviceable and repairable over a very long time.

[@Sumatra123]

Most people think the blade runs against the frn, but it actually runs against the metal pocket clip screw hole inserts.

[@lanceruss5572]

You once said you could live with the native 5 as your only knife (chaparral comparison vid). Just curious on your thoughts of if you had to choose would you only want a native 5 or PM2 (any steel version ya want).

[@SliceyDicey]

That'd be a tough one... PROBABLY the PM2, but it's over the limit in some municipalities I frequent. But I definitely like the Native 5 better than the Para 3.

[@bp-hx9ts]

I don’t like the switch to s30v I find s35vn a lot less brittle also I assume the lc200n and s30v will be similar prices so what’s the point in s30v if they have similar edge retention

[@tonycanniffe2360]

bp69 I think it likely the LC200n will be more expensive.

[@bp-hx9ts]

Tony Canniffe by 20 dollars

[@tonycanniffe2360]

bp69 Great. Worth it.

[@bp-hx9ts]

Tony Canniffe yeah definitely 20 dollars for a steel that has the same edge retention and has the bonus of extreme rust resistance onley thing I dislike is that the scales are yellow

[@tonycanniffe2360]

bp69 They probs have heaps of s30v.

[@philkal8329]

I play tennis too!

[@DA-jw6nm]

A $9 price increase and it goes from "a great value" to " a little pricey"? Are you serious?

[@SliceyDicey]

Also a steel downgrade. They're S30V now when they used to be S35VN.

[@DangerDad29]

Prob the worst knife ive ever owned. Better served with the dozier hunter for a fraction of the price. Lc200n is cool. But not worth the money